The Colorado Avalanche have signed J.T. Compher to a four-year, $14-million deal, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The contract means the Avalanche and Compher, a restricted free agent, avoid arbitration. Compher’s arbitration hearing was originally scheduled for July 31.
“J.T. has been one of our most versatile forwards over the past two years,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a team release confirming the deal. “He plays on our power play, kills penalties and has played up and down our lineup. He has scored some big goals late in games and we are counting on him to have an even more expanded role moving forward. We are excited to have him under contract for the next four seasons.”
Compher, 24, is coming off his third NHL season and the third and final year of his entry-level deal, posting career highs in goals (16), assists (16), and points (32) in 66 games before adding four goals and six points in 12 playoff games this past spring. The winger was drafted 35th overall by the Sabres in 2013, but never suited up for Buffalo. In 156 career regular season games over the course of three seasons with the Avalanche, Compher has registered 32 goals and 60 points.
July 17, 2019