Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: How the Avs, Necas Landed on $11.5 Million; Blackwood Speaks; Goalscorer Dorofeyev
The Avalanche signed their big pending free agent. They also have both of their goalies available to them. Regardless of which one they start tonight, they’ll have to keep an eye on goalscorer Pavel Dorofeyev.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — October 31.
Colorado Hockey Now
The Avs finally found a way to get Martin Necas under contract, impressively doing so before the end of October. This won’t stretch well into the season like the Mikko Rantanen talks did a year ago.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the deal was finalized quickly after Utah signed Logan Cooley to an eight-year contract worth $10 million per year. LeBrun said the Avs were offering $10.5 million but decided to up the offer once more after Cooley’s deal was signed.
It’s a smart move given that the stock for players like Necas is only going to continue to rise with each passing contract. The longer you wait, the more comparables. Just ask L.A. Kings fans how they feel about Adrian Kempe suddenly being arguably the last remaining big fish on the market next July.
Kempe’s deal might look a lot different from what it would’ve two weeks ago after Necas got $92 million for max-term.
READ MORE: Avalanche Lock Up Martin Necas To Long-Term Deal
Colorado’s starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood met with media on Thursday before the team departed for Vegas. It sure sounds like he’s going to play either today or tomorrow.
Here’s what he had to say.
Around The NHL
Vegas Hockey Now: We already know the Avs will have their hands full with Jack Eichel, who leads the NHL in points. But his top winger isn’t Mitch Marner like we all expected. It’s actually Pavel Dorofeyev. The 25-year-old homegrown talent is tied with Nathan MacKinnon and a couple other skaters in goals with nine.
Florida Hockey Now: Brad Marchand will rejoin the Florida Panthers soon. But first, he’s got something to take care of.
Boston Hockey Now: Another frightening injury hits the Bruins lineup.
