The Colorado Avalanche are keen on their pillar Devon Toews. The defenseman agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $50.75 million on Friday.
Toews will therefore count $7.25 million under the salary cap from next season through 2031.
General manager Chris MacFarland said Friday it was a priority for the club to get a deal done early in the season.
“We’re excited to have him in an Avalanche jersey for the next eight years,” MacFarland said. He has established himself as one of the best defensemen in the NHL and is an integral part of the core of this team. He plays plenty of minutes in all situations, faces top opposing lines, and is one of the best scoring defenders in the league. And above all, he is one of the leaders of our team, both on and off the ice. »
Toews, 29, had an assist in Colorado’s season opener. He scored 50 points last season, after playing nearly 26 minutes per game during the Avalanche’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2022.
The Abbotsford, British Columbia native has 230 points in 383 regular season and playoff games for Colorado and the New York Islanders since his debut in 2018. The Avalanche acquired him in October 2020 for two second-round picks.
In a statement released by the team, Toews thanked Avalanche owner MacFarland, president of hockey operations Joe Sakic and the coaches for believing in him.
“I couldn’t be more excited to stay with the Avalanche and continue to build on what we’ve accomplished so far. Denver has become home to my family and we love being a part of this community. I was eager to get this matter resolved so we could focus on our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Colorado. »