Eurolanche

Mercier and Hunwick re-signed

I have no idea why, but the Colorado Avalanche has not informed about these news yet. According to this website, Justin Mercier and Matt Hunwick signed new one-year deals.

Mercier signed two-way contract. If he will play in the NHL he would gained 525 000 USD. If he spent most of the time in the AHL, he will take 62 500 USD. He will become RFA after the end of the next season. Mercier has appeared only in the nine NHL games for the Avs. All of these games were played in the season 2009/10. He played 80 games for Lake Erie Monsters last year and got 28 points. He was selected by the Avalanche from the 168^th place on the NHL Entry Draft 2005.

The defenseman Hunwick came to Denver in the first weeks of the last season from Boston. He played 51 games in the new sweater with no goal and ten assists. He will got 1 500 000 USD and become UFA.

Why Hunwick? I have simple answer: Colorado´s management really wants to give opportunities to very, very, very young players. If Liles would stay here, he will have to count with the position of the healthy scratch in many games what does not corresponds to his skills and the salary. It is OK for Hunwick. BUT, the Avs fans will never forgive that we got it ONLY the second round pick for John.