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Colorado Avalanche Free Agency Live Updates

Miikka Salomaki is the first signee

By HardevLad
2020 NHL Stadium Series Press Conference
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - OCTOBER 10: Colorado Avalanche EVP & GM Joe Sakic addresses the media announcing the 2020 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Falcon Stadium on October 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images

Happy Free Agency day! As we’re all waiting for the big fish to land in Denver, I’ll be posting a running tally of all the signings the Colorado Avalanche make today.

Miikka Salomaki

First up, the Avalanche have signed forward Miikka Salomaki to a one-year league minimum deal ($700k). Salomaki spent last season with the Milwaukee Admirals and later the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. He got five games with the Nashville Predators too. He’ll be a good veteran scorer for the Colorado Eagles and he’ll be on the radar as depth on the Avalanche if there are any injuries.

Sheldon Dries

The Avalanche have brought back centre Sheldon Dries on a one-year deal work $700k. The 26-year-old was an RFA this offseason and will be a UFA next summer as he turns 27. After he clears waivers, Dries is expected to be on the Eagles as well. He played five games in the NHL last season, plus one in the playoffs.

Kiefer Sherwood

The Avalanche have also signed right winger Kiefer Sherwood to a one-year NHL contract worth $700k at the NHL level. Sherwood, 25, played with the AHL San Diego Gulls last season plus 10 games on the Anaheim Ducks. Sherwood had 16 goals on 94 shots in 37 AHL games last season, Eagles fans will know him well. He’ll likely report to the Eagles after he clears waivers to start the season. The contract is likely a two-way deal, with the minors salary yet to be announced.

Mike Vecchione

The Avalanche also signed Mike Vecchione to a one-year, two-way NHL contract worth $700k. Vecchione, a 27-year-old right-shooting center, played last season with the San Antonio Rampage and scored 21 goals on 174 shots in 61 games. He was previously in the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

Both Vecchione and Sherwood were undrafted players out of the NCAA. Vecchione played for Union College, while Sherwood played for Miami University (Ohio).