Recently acquired by the Colorado Avalanche in a trade, forward Ross Colton avoided arbitration by agreeing to a four-year deal on Monday.
The 26-year-old American will receive a salary of $4 million per year, which will be nearly four times his last contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Read also: Do you recognize this former CH hopeful with Erik Haula?
• Read also: Gang rape allegations: Nike cuts ties with Hockey Canada
The Avalanche traded a second-round selection in the most recent draft — which the Lightning used to pick Quebecer Ethan Gauthier — to add Colton. Previously, the “Bolts” had acquired this turn of speech belonging to the Montreal Canadiens in return for Alex Newhook.
Having already had a lot of experience (52 games) in the playoffs despite having only played three seasons in the National Hockey League, Colton has solidified the Avalanche’s center line.
In 2022-2023, he amassed 32 points, including 16 goals, in 81 games. The previous year, he had reached the plateau of 20 goals.
In Colorado, center Ben Meyers is the last restricted free agent still without a contract for the next season.