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Cole, Calvert get three-year deals |
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Rick Sadowski
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WILL UPDATE FOLLOWING JOE SAKIC CONFERENCE CALL
Anyone expecting – or hoping – the Avalanche would make a splash Sunday when the NHL free agent market opened will be disappointed.
They signed defenseman Ian Cole and forward Matt Calvert to three-year contracts through the 2020-21 season.
Cole, 29, will make $12.75 million over three years for a salary cap hit of $4.25 million, making him the Avalanche’s third-highest paid defenseman behind Erik Johnson ($6 million) and Tyson Barrie ($5.5 million).
Calvert, 28, will make $8.4 million over three years for a cap hit of $2.8 million.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound Cole, a left-hand shot, had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 67 games last season for Pittsburgh and Columbus. The Penguins traded him to Ottawa on Feb. 23 before he was dealt to the Blue Jackets three days later. He had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 20 games for Columbus and three assists in six playoff games.
"Ian has been a part of two (Stanley) Cup teams, brings leadership and a veteran presence to our blue line," general manager Joe Sakic said in a release. "He’s a strong puck-moving defenseman who is solid in his own zone and kills penalties. We are pleased to have him under contract for the next three years."
The 5-11, 186-pound Calvert had 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 69 games for Columbus last season, matching career highs for assists and points. He had two shorthanded goals. He added four points (three goals, one assist) in six playoff games.
"Matt is a competitive two-way winger who has the versatility to play throughout our lineup," Sakic said in a release. "His speed and tenacity is a strong fit with the way we play."
Columbus’ fifth-round pick (No. 127) in 2008, Calvert has spent his entire eight-season NHL career with the Blue Jackets. The Brandon, Manitoba, native has 149 points (72 goals, 77 assists) in 416 games, with 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 16 playoff games.
Cole, who is from Ann Arbor, Mich., was St. Louis’ first-round pick (No. 18) in 2007. After playing three years at Notre Dame, he spent parts of five seasons with the Blues and parts of four seasons with Pittsburgh, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
Cole has 97 points (20 goals, 77 assists) in 405 career games with 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 62 playoff games.
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