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The NHL might have suspended play due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, but Joe Saki is still taking care of some business. Thursday afternoon, the Colorado Avalanche announced that they have signed forward T.J. Tynan to a contract extension through the 2020-21 season.
After signing with the organization last summer, Tynan spent most of the season in the AHL, tallying 47 points in 42 games with the Colorado Eagles. The 28-year old played 16 games in the NHL this season, recording one assist.
“He’s a dynamic player and he’s got great vision…he’s always going to have those, he’s a natural playmaker, he’s a dynamic player,” Eagles head coach Greg Cronin told Mile High Hockey back in November.
A natural playmaker, Tynan spent time this season working with coach Cronin on trying to do less - particularly on the power play. “You don’t want to take away the creativity from talented players, but at the same time he’s got to prioritize when to make plays the moment in the game, the moment in the shift, the time on the ice, all those things.”
The new contract provides Tynan with a little certainty in a time where the hockey world doesn’t have much. He knows where he’ll be next year and that’s got to bring some piece of mind.
Next season, Tynan will fill the same role as he had this year - one of the top offensive producers on the Eagles and a depth call up if the Avalanche run into injury trouble.