With training camp right around the corner, Colorado inks another defenseman.
As it’s become a bit of a tradition for Colorado, the Avs make another free agent signing, deep into the off-season after the initial craziness of NHL free agency has settled. Oliver Kylington joins the Colorado Avalanche on a one-year contract with an AAV of $1.05 million.
We have signed Oliver Kylington to a one-year contract. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/D60yHzpIAM
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 5, 2024
Kylington is coming off of what some would probabaly consider a down year, putting up only eight points in 33 games for the Calgary Flames, which is where he’s spent his entire NHL career prior to this signing. The 27-year old did not play a game during the 2022-23 NHL season, as he stepped away to take care of his mental health. However, he had a career year the season prior, putting up 31 points in 73 games during the 2021-22 NHL season.
Oliver Kylington, signed 1x$1.1M by COL, is a puck-moving offensive defenceman. He was superb next to Tanev in 2021-22, struggled more last season. Interesting upside here. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/PBlsd8hTCP
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 5, 2024
Similarly to the Erik Brännström signing earlier this summer, there is a lot of intriguing offensive upside in this signing, and with the AAV only being $1.05 million, there is also no risk involved. With this signing however, the Colorado blueline suddenly becomes very crowded, specifically at the bottom. The Avs now have the likes of Kylington, Brännström, Calvin de Haan, Jacob MacDonald, and Sam Malinski in the mix for full time roles on Colorado’s third defensive pairing and they all are without waiver exemption.
It’s probabaly safe to say that there’s going to be a bit of competition during training camp this year. Unless there’s a surprise move or injury revelation on the horizon. We’ll see how it all shakes out before the start of the regular season!