In a move very consistent with the past several days worth of transactions, CapGeek is reporting the Avalanche have re-signed F Justin Mercier. This move continues to fortify the Lake Erie roster from last season that made the playoffs for the first time in team history. Mercier played 80 games for the Monsters last season, amassing 12 goals and 16 assists  for a total of 28 points to go along with 66 PIM but stepped his game up in the playoffs when he scored 3 goals and added 2 assists in the Monsters' first round loss to recently-displaced Manitoba. His contract is a two-way deal worth $525,000 if he plays in the NHL.

With the Mercier signing, only a couple of contributors from the Monsters remain unsigned: Ben Walter, Shawn Belle (!!), Greg Mauldin, and both goalies, John Grahame and Jason Bacashihua. Hopefully the Avalanche are as aggressive in NHL free agency as they have been in the AHL so far.