Mark Barberio to return to the Colorado Avalanche for two more years

Update: The Colorado Avalanche have just announced that they have re-signed defenseman Mark Barberio to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.45m.

He is set to become an unrestricted free argent on July 1st, but it sounds as though Mark Barberio is ready to forgo the open market in order to re-sign with the Colorado Avalanche.

In an interview with TVA Sports, the 28-year old defender mentioned that he is in the process of working on a new contract with the Avalanche.

“I am currently in talks to renew my contract with the the Avalanche”, Barberio told the French language news outlet.

Barberio missed significant time last season due to injury. He finished with a career high 13 points in only 46 games.

He shoots left, but Barberio is able to play on both sides of the blueline. If the two sides get an agreement worked out, he will likely fill one of the spots on the third pair next season, filling one of the spots many thought would be open for a youngster like Conor Timmins or Nicholas Meloche.

After being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2008, the Avs claimed Barberio off waivers from the Montreal Canadians during the 2016-17 season.

Two summers ago, Barberio signed a 2-year contract worth $750,000 a season and will certainly be looking for a raise and a longer term this time around. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Barberio is locked up for the next three years with an AAV somewhere above $2m.

The article linked above is in French, but here is the full translation:

As his contract expires this summer, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Mark Barberio told TVA Sports on Monday that he had already made contact with the organization to stay with the team.

”I am currently in discussions to renew my contract with the Avalanche,” he announced proudly. I took a break to rest at the end of the season, but I’m going back to training very soon to get back to fulll strength for next year. “

The former Montreal Canadiens player has not been able to hide his joy over the recent success of Colorado this season, who had defied all odds when they qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs of the Stanley Cup after finishing last overall in the previous year.

”I think adding more young players has made a big difference this year,” said No. 44. We had a lot more energy thanks to the changes and that allowed us to surprise many”.

Among the other factors that influenced his team’s success, Barberio mentioned that the that that sent forward Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators contributed greatly to the morale of the team.

”The guys were distracted by the trade rumors. So when it finally happened, we were able to move on and Nathan MacKinnon managed to take the reins of the team with flying colors. “

Barberio also praised the talent of the leading scorer of Jared Bednar’s group. “He worked hard throughout the year and greatly improved his throws, which is why he became one of the league’s top scorers,” he said.

More comfortable in Colorado than in Montreal, but, Mark Barberio reflected on his short run with the Canadiens.

”I played well when I was given a chance in Montreal, but in Colorado I have better opportunities, because I will not go back to the press box after every game I play”, he said. “I am more mature and more experienced, and all that is thanks to the Avalanche that gave me my chance. “