Avalanche, defenseman Ryan Graves agree to three-year extension

Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic told reporters, including Ryan S. Clark of The Athletic, that team has agreed on a new three-year deal with Ryan Graves. Clark reports that the contract will carry an average annual value of $3.16M. Graves was a restricted free agent and filed for salary arbitration last week. CapFriendly provides the full breakdown:

• 2020-21: $2.5M
• 2021-22: $3.0M
• 2022-23: $4.0M

Though he doesn’t generate the headlines of Cale Makar or bring the experience of Erik Johnson, Graves proved this season to be an incredibly valuable piece on the Avalanche blue line. The 25-year-old led the entire league in +/- during his first full season in the NHL, finishing at a +40 in 69 games. That number represented his strong contribution at both ends of the rink, registering 26 points while also logging 150 blocked shots and 112 hits.

Graves, a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2013, ended up in the Colorado system following a 2018 trade that saw former top pick Chris Bigras head the other way. Almost immediately he made an impact at the AHL level and was playing in the NHL before the calendar year was up.

A fine skater even at 6-5, Graves possesses a booming shot and has proven irreplaceable on the Colorado penalty kill. He averaged nearly three minutes a night short-handed, more than any other Avalanche player other than Johnson. For a team loaded with puck-movers and talented offensive weapons on the back end, Graves place as a more reliable defensive complement is secure.