Ryan Graves re-signs with the Avalanche

Ryan Graves has re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche  for one year at $735,000. It’s a two-way contract that will pay him $350,000 if he’s in the AHL, making him one of the highest paid players in that league. The deal avoided salary arbitration, which Graves had filed for last week.

Graves, 24, appeared in 26 games this season with the Avalanche. He scored five points (3g, 2a) in what was his rookie season. Once the Avalanche were back to full health, Graves found himself riding the bench in the postseason.

Graves is another of Colorado’s tall defensemen, coming in at 6’5″ and 226lbs. Graves had 32 hits on this season, leaving fans wanting more. Graves found himself in the lineup due to injuries and played well enough to warrant not being sent back through waivers.

Graves was a revelation for the Avalanche last season after being picked up in a trade deadline deal with the New York Rangers two years ago. It was a swap of failed prospects as Chris Bigras was sent the other way. Graves proved surprisingly reliable at a time the Avalanche badly needed a stabilizing force on their third pairing.

While he was solid last year, the 26-game trial for the Avs wasn’t enough to secure a job for next season. With Ian Cole’s injury to start the season, Graves will compete with Calle Rosen, Bowen Byram, Kevin Connaution, and Mark Barberio for a spot on Colorado’s opening night roster.

Graves played 32 games with the Eagles, scoring 9 points in that time (2g, 7a).

Per usual, below are some of his fancy stats: