Colorado Avalanche re-sign defenseman Ryan Wilson to 3-year, $6.75 million contract -NHL Update
Colorado Avalanche continued to secure their upcoming free agents by re-signing defenseman, Ryan Wilson, to a three-year contract worth reportedly $6.75 million with an annual salary cap hit of $2.25 million.
The news broke on Monday, June 25, 2012, a day after Colorado re-signed hot player, Matt Duchene, to a long-term deal. Colorado Avalanche general manager, Greg Sherman, made the announcement official.
"Ryan brings an element that complements our defence," Avalanche GM Sherman said. "We are pleased to sign him to a multi-year deal and look forward to seeing him at camp."
For Wilson, the best part of the deal is having job security, as he can now look towards working to be a better player in each and every aspect instead of having to focus on where he might be playing next year.
“I love being in Colorado,” Wilson said. “We’re moving in the right direction and I have some job security now.”
Wilson was on a one-year contract worth $1.275 million with Colorado for the past 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season and potting 21 points (1 goal, 20 assists) with a plus rating of 11, the Avalanche thought it would be best to have him
continue playing on the squad.
The 25-year-old defender from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, has played three seasons straight with Colorado Avalanche now. He is an undrafted player that was picked up by Calgary Flames and sent to play with their minor league affiliates, Quad City Flames, in
the American Hockey League (AHL).
Colorado Avalanche acquired the player back in the 2008-2009 season and let him continue with their own affiliates, the Lake Erie Monsters, before bringing him on into primetime hockey.
Without a doubt, Wilson was a significant factor in Colorado almost making the playoffs last season but they missed with 88 points at the number 11th position.
“We almost snuck into the playoffs but L.A. was the better team down the stretch. They had that playoff mindset the last month and a half and then they went on to win the Cup,” Wilson said.
Next season is one that Wilson is certainly looking forward to, making it exciting to see how he will improve and show Colorado why he has the potential to be one of the best in the league.
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