Colorado Avalanche sign Igor Shvyrev to an Entry Level Contract

Young Russian center Igor Shvyrev has earned a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. The fifth-round pick of the Avalanche in 2017 had only one goal and zero assists in 32 KHL games, but Shvyrev is 19 years old, 6’1” tall, 192 pounds, and played center in the KHL as a teenager — something that is a rare find in that league. The fact that he played the majority of his season with the top club is a lot more telling than any point production at lower levels. Saying that, 70 points in 40 MHL games is pretty impressive too.

Shvyryov (#3) is a playmaker through and through. He had more than twice as many assists than goals in every season he played in the MHL, he quaterbacks his power play unit from the wing, and plays the perimeter moreso than in front of the net.

Shvyryov will come over and add some depth down the middle for the Colorado Eagles next season as they try to build a competitive AHL roster.

Shvyryov brings something that is badly missing from the Avs organization. The ability to win faceoffs. In his draft year, the young Russian won 56% of his faceoffs in more than 1000 attempts.

Many believed that he was one of the best European skaters in the 2017 draft class, but he fell to the 5th round because of fears that it would be hard to get him to leave the KHL.

Here is Shvyryov's contract breakdown:

Year 1: $650,000

Year 2: $650,000

Year 3: $700,000