8/2/2018 9:11:56 PM EST
The Colorado Avalanche avoided arbitration by signing restricted free agent defenseman Patrik Nemeth to a one-year contract Thursday, the team announced.According to multiple reports, the deal is worth $2.5 million."Patrik is a big, physical defenseman who is an important piece of our D-corps," said general manager Joe Sakic. "He plays a significant role on our penalty kill, he blocks shots, and we're happy to have him back this season."The sides had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Saturday, the last day for hearings this summer. Colorado already signed its other player who elected arbitration, giving winger Matt Nieto a two-year deal for $3.95 million in early July.Nemeth, 26, tallied career highs across the board last season after the Avalanche claimed him off waivers from the Dallas Stars in October. He finished with three goals, 12 assists, 66 hits and 185 blocked shots while averaging 19 minutes, 51 seconds of ice time, third most among Avs defensemen, in 68 games.Nemeth spent his first four seasons with the Dallas Stars, who took him in the second round in 2010. Through parts of five NHL seasons, he has three goals, 26 assists, 211 hits and 311 blocked shots in 176 career games.--Field Level Media