The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward J.T. Compher to a four-year deal. The contract is for $14 million total, bringing the AAV to $3.5 million. It is the second four-year deal handed out by Joe Sakic this summer (Joonas Donskoi the other).
Compher, 24, appeared in 66 games last season with the Avalanche, scoring 32 points (16g, 16a). Compher did find himself playing minutes on the power play and penalty kill, having his ice time increase from 16:00 to 17:29 average.
Compher found himself a key player in the playoffs, especially early against the Flames. While Compher himself scored two goals and one assist in the five-game series, his goals were of the timely variety as his game-tying goal in Game 2 gave Colorado the momentum going in overtime where they eventually won.
Against San Jose, he struggled a bit more as he scored just two goals and one assist, but all came in Game 6 in front of a raucous Pepsi Center as the Avalanche pushed the series to Game 7.
Compher was still inconsistent throughout the regular season, however, as his ice time was increased to around 19 minutes or more, Compher saw his production drop. It seemed at times the Avalanche had found his offensive ceiling anytime they tried to force him into a more prominent role.
Compher is a key for the Avalanche moving forward as a jack of all trades forward who can play both center and wing. With the departure of Carl Soderberg, Compher seems set to take over the 3C role and have a big defensive presence.
This deal is certainly intriguing for Colorado because it represents something of a long-term commitment to a player whose personality has fit very nicely in the locker room but whose on-ice game is still in development. He has shown an acumen for goals in big moments and despite a lack of size, he’s a hard-working pest on the ice who can be effective in multiple roles.
The four-year term on the deal means he is tied with Donskoi, Nathan MacKinnon, and Erik Johnson for longest remaining contracts on the team. After an offseason where Colorado valued future flexibility above almost all else, their commitment to Compher makes it very clear they view him as part of their future.
With Compher signing, only Sheldon Dries is still scheduled for arbitration (August 4) and he, A.J. Greer, Vladislav Kamenev, Anton Lindholm and Mikko Rantanen are Colorado’s remaining unsigned RFAs.
Per usual, here are some of his fancy stats:
0 Comments (3 conversations)
Wesley
Good article. I think he got a little boost because he Does seem to overpreform when the Avs need him to, but you’re absolutely right in that he seems to have a pretty real ceiling (probly around 40 points) but if he can pull of a defensive 3C who scores timely goals and drives hard I think this contract will be very well priced by the end of it.
Cerveau
Long term contracts at a reasonable value also make for better trades… Sakic giving him a 4 year deal does not necessarily mean he intends to keep him that long.
Peinsznski
I think he does intend on keeping him that long, check out year 3 the actual salary is 4.5 mil and that’s a direct attempt to sway Seattle away from taking him in the expansion draft. If he didn’t plan on keeping him it would have been a more steady dollar figure throughout the contract
The AAV is too small for there to be any kind of real poison pill for the XD. He’ll be right on the protect bubble unless he makes a major leap.
Pucklehead
Love his toughness…hard on the puck and delivered in the playoffs…nice to see him get rewarded…I think he will continue to surprise on the upside