Eurolanche

Exclusive: Update on Zadorov/Butcher

As of now, Nikita Zadorov still hasn't re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He'll become a restricted free agent on July 1st if both sides fail to reach an agreement. Eurolanche.com reached out to his agent Rolland Hedges to ask about the ongoing contract situation. "There is no update," said Hedges right away. However, when asked if Nikita wants to remain part of the Avalanche organization, he chose to neither confirm, nor deny this. "He wants to stay in the NHL," answered Hedges.

July 1 is already this Saturday, but Avalanche fans shouldn't expect any major updates on the Russian defenseman. Mr. Hedges' answer on the possible timeframe of the negotiations was simple: "Mid-July". But what would happen if both sides fail to reach an agreement? "Nikita would come to Russia of course. But his priority is the NHL," concluded Hedges.

As BSNDenver.com quoted Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic in their most-recent exclusive interview, the Avs management has already extended a contract offer to Zadorov. “We’re waiting on him to be honest with you. In fact, he’s got a contract offer,” Sakic told BSNDenver.com. If you put together both Sakic's and Hedges' quotes, should the Avs nation start to get worried?

The loss of Zadorov would be a huge one for Colorado. The big defenseman is one of the most talented blue-liners in the current Avalanche line-up. There aren't many people who can imagine the next season's roster without him. And we can only speculate if no news about Mikhail Grigorenko's contract (who may become a RFA as well), who is Zadorov's good friend, may also have some impact on the entire situation.

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On the other hand, Will Butcher's situation is entirely different. After four years in the NCAA, the reigning Hobey Baker Award-winner for the top NCAA player, who captained the University of Denver to a National Championship, can't be forced to sign an entry-level deal with the Avs who originally drafted him four years ago. Based on the rules regarding NCAA player, he may opt to sign with the team that drafted him, or he will become an unrestricted agent on August 15. Since April, there were no major updates on his situation and everything indicated that he wouldn't sign a contract with the Avalanche.

"We haven't closed the door yet, but we will not sign a contract before July 1st," told Butcher's agent Stephen Bartlett to Eurolanche.com.

Again, we can only speculate if Patrick Roy's decision to inform Butcher's agent that the team isn't interested in signing him two years ago may have influenced the ongoing situation. Butcher may become the second Hobey Baker Award-winner, who chooses not to sign his first pro contract with the team that originally drafted him.