Colorado Avalanche
Tyson Jost comes back on minimum offer
Well, so much for that two-year deal we thought Tyson Jost might be signing, based on Joe Sakic’s words on the matter last weekend. Today, Jost elected to just sign his one-year qualifying offer of $874,125, a drop from his previous salary of $885,833 – according to PuckPedia. According to the same site, though, Jost’s actual AAV for last season was $1,673,333 – because of performance bonuses.
Bottom line: Jost is coming back on a short-money, short-term deal. Sakic said he was working on a two-year deal for No. 17, but maybe the offer on that wasn’t to Jost’s satisfaction, so he signed a one-year deal where he bets on himself and gets a much better deal next off-season.
The only player on the “regular” roster left to sign for the Avs now is recently-acquired defenseman Devon Toews. PuckPedia now says the Avs have $5,923,609 of cap space. I would expect Toews to take a minimum of $2.5 million moving forward, which gives the Avs some room for emergencies.
Jost posted 23 points (eight goals) in 67 games for the Avs, with one point (a goal) in 12 postseason games. After next season, Jost will have arbitration rights.
Right now, I think he would start training camp just fighting for a spot among the top 12, probably with Logan O’Connor for a spot on the fourth line.
Also signing a new two-year deal today was minor-league goalie Hunter Miska. Miska did spend some time with the Avs in the bubble in Edmonton, serving as the backup to Michael Hutchinson in the final three games of the Dallas series.
Dater’s Daily: NHL trade chatter – Dallas trying to move Klingberg, Canucks may be ready to deal soon
Avs Player Grades from 5-0 Shutout over Arizona (+)
Avalanche Move Into First Place in Western Conference (+)
Gabe Landeskog to play Saturday against Arizona
Frei: Can Tyson Jost be more than just the OTHER Alberta kid the Avalanche drafted as he headed for NCAA hockey? (+)
Avs lose in OT after controversial call, and Bo Byram leaves team for “personal reasons”
Looking deeper into the “Should Avs get a Fleury or Price?” question (+)
Avalanche Player Grades in Win over Maple Leafs
Frei: Avalanche Again the Best Show in Town
Sakic is a genius! He has put a legit Stanley Cup contender together and still has some flex money to work with under the hard cap.
Appropriate money for his performance… just rounding out the forward depth with that signing.
AD I have a question. Do you think the Avs should at least call Chara to see if he would be interested? I don’t know what he would want but Maybe get him for around veteran minimum. Lots of leadership and playoff experience there.
Good call, totally agree, Brandon. Guys are going to get hurt and cannot have enough defensemen if they really want to make a legitimate run.
Hopefully Jost will breakout this season. Interesting that no other teams must have been interested in him at a higher value. Jost and the performance of the young D may be the most interesting parts of camp and the early season.
Should Jost happen to be traded, or do poorly at camp, who do you all see as the #4 center? Unless I’m missing someone (entirely possible,) I see Newhook and Bowers as the only possibilities. They both seem a little young to count on…then there IS the McKar example. Thoughts?
Bellemare is the #4.
Newhook is still realistically two years away from joining the club.
Newhook will play one more year at BC, then sign with Avs. Mark it down.