Avalanche add Rodrigues on 1-year, $2M deal

The Colorado Avalanche have signed free-agent forward Evan Rodrigues to a one-year contract worth $2 million, the team announced Monday.

Rodrigues was arguably the top unsigned player left on the market after breaking out with 19 goals and 43 points in 82 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. He'd previously never eclipsed the 30-point mark in seven campaigns split between Pittsburgh and the Buffalo Sabres.

"We are excited to add a two-way player with Evan's versatility to our group," said general manager Chris MacFarland. "He is coming off his best offensive season and has shown he can play in a variety of roles and help a lineup in many ways."

Rodrigues is a solid two-way player and should help ease the loss of Nazem Kadri down the middle of the ice. Kadri joined the Flames on a seven-year deal after three seasons and a Stanley Cup with Colorado.

The Avalanche haven't been overly active this offseason apart from trading for goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. Instead, the defending champions have focused on keeping business in-house, awarding Valeri Nichushkin, Josh Manson, Artturi Lehkonen, Darren Helm, and Andrew Cogliano new contracts.

Colorado has $1.9 million in remaining cap space after signing Rodrigues, according to CapFriendly.