<p><strong>Colorado Avalanche, Steve Downie agree on 2-year, $5.3 million contract -NHL offseason Update</strong></p> <p>Colorado Avalanche and right winger Steve Downie agree on mutual terms and signed a two-year, $5.3 million contract on Friday, June 29, 2012, just days before the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) free agency is set to kick off.</p> <p>Avalanche has been a busy team during this offseason as they signed a number of players back on the team, keeping them from testing the free agency and are reported to be going after top prospects in the market.</p> <p>For Colorado, Downie provided extensive offensive depth when needed and continues to be an asset for the team. He is one of the higher scoring players on the club and losing him to the free agency would be devastating for the franchise indeed.</p> <p>"Since his arrival, Steve has provided a unique combination of grit and skill to our line up," Avalanche general manager, Greg Sherman, said. "We're looking forward to Steve's contributions to our team for the next two years."</p> <p>There are still a number of Avalanche players that need to be re-signed and according to the GM, the team will still be active this free agency when it starts on Sunday. Players like Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Johnson, Jamie McGinn and Mark Olver need their contracts renewed and it is not certain as of yet what the team has planned for them.</p> <p>"As always we are looking for ways to improve our roster. To that end, Sunday we will be in discussion with several players' agents," Sherman added. "Lately we have agreed to terms with several of our own players and we will continue to have discussions with our own (restricted free agents)."</p> <p>Downie was picked up by the Philadelphia Flyers as the 29<sup>th</sup> overall player during round-one of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and played nearly two seasons with them before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning.</p> <p>Tampa Bay was his home for the next four seasons straight before a trade to the Colorado Avalanche during 2011-2012 regular season.</p> <p>In total, Steve Downie has 272 games played under his belt with 137 points (55 goals, 82 assists) and 654 minutes of penalty time.</p>
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