Avalanche sign Byram to 2-year deal

The Colorado Avalanche signed restricted free agent blue-liner Bowen Byram to a two-year bridge contract, the team announced Saturday.

Financials weren't disclosed, but The Athletic's Peter Baugh reports the pact is worth $3.85 million annually. Byram will be an RFA again upon the expiration of his new deal.

Byram was the fourth overall pick in 2019 but has been limited to only 91 career games due to a lengthy injury history that includes numerous concussions. When healthy, the 22-year-old has flashed tremendous potential, including notching career highs this past season in goals (10), points (24), and average ice time (21:53) across 42 games.

Bridge deal for Bowen Byram feels like a missed opportunity for Colorado, but is a good bet for Byram to get a big payday in a couple years. pic.twitter.com/vF8nFk7Nl6

- dom (@domluszczyszyn) July 1, 2023

The Avalanche have been fairly active since the free-agent window opened Saturday, also inking forwards Miles Wood and Jonathan Drouin.

Colorado has an estimated $8.4 million in cap space when factoring in Saturday's trio of new deals and long-term injured reserve candidates, according to Cap Friendly.

Recently acquired forward Ross Colton is the Avalanche's last remaining RFA on the NHL roster.

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