Eurolanche

Colorado acquires Marko Dano

 The Colorado Avalanche have once again bolstered their roster via the waiver wire. Marko Dano became the team’s first player acquisition this season, as the Avs have claimed him on waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Dano could become the fourth Slovak player to appear in an NHL game burgundy and blue. 

Defenseman Jaroslav Obsut became the first Slovak player to appear in a game for the Avs, suiting up for a total of three games during the 2001-02 season, failing to register a single point. The late Marek Svatos became the second Slovak to play for the Avs, scoring 98 goals and 171 points in 330 games in what was a promising stint in the Mile High City unfortunately cut short by numerous injuries. The most recent Slovak to play for Colorado was goalie Peter Budaj, who played 246 games over the span of six seasons. 

Drafted 27^th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013, Dano has yet to live up to his potential. Despite being only 23 and seeing limited play-time in the NHL, the Austrian-born forward has played in 130 career games, totaling 19 goals and 45 points. His contract carries an AAV of $800,000.

The Avalanche will be Dano’s fourth team in the NHL, as he began his career with the Blue Jackets, later being traded to Chicago, which later flipped him to the Jets. While playing for the AHL affiliates of each respective organization, Dano appeared in 89 games, recording 17 goals and 50 points. 

Internationally, he played for Slovakia at three World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016), where he played 16 games in total, totaling three goals and five points. 

Dano joins a growing Czechoslovak ensemble within the Avalanche organization, as Czech goalie Pavel Francouz and forward Martin Kaut are currently playing for the Colorado Eagles, the team’s new AHL affiliate waiting for their chance to prove themselves in the big league. 

Photo courtesy of NHL.com