Avalanche's recent signing is ready to silence doubters and prove he's worth every dollar of his new deal
Photo credit: TSN.ca
Colorado Avalanche forward Parker Kelly is entering the season with something to prove, determined to show that he's worth every dollar of the offseason deal he signed with the club.
Kelly signed a four-year extension with the Avalanche on July 1st.
Parker Kelly is heading into the season with something to prove after signing his recent contract extension.
Coby Maier from NHL.com writes that in his first season with the Avalanche in 2024-25, Kelly recorded career highs in points (19) and assists (11), while matching his previous best of eight goals.
Following his strong debut in burgundy and blue, Kelly signed a four-year contract extension on July 1st, keeping him in Colorado through the 2029-30 season.
Before the new deal, he was on track to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.
"To not have that looming over your head is hopefully going to free me up and allow me to play my game. But it's definitely a little bit of a relief and a lot of excitement, too." -Kelly
Kelly credits his career-best offensive season to the growth he experienced last year.
He said he embraced the challenge of matching up against opponents' top lines each night and looks forward to building on that experience in 2025-26.
"I think the coaching staff did a great job with me. And I think getting to play with [Logan O'Connor] and [Jack Drury], I think they were great for me. They made my job easier. They made me look better." -Kelly
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Kelly split time between center and wing.
He said he's comfortable playing wherever Head Coach Jared Bednar needs him but acknowledged the distinct challenges that come with each position.
"I think [playing] on the wing allows me to use my speed a little bit more and I'm probably a little more offensive minded on the wing. Just playing center, you're kind of behind the play a little bit and being [the] F3 instead of getting in on the forecheck [as the] F1." -Kelly
When Kelly mentions F1 and F3, he's referring to the team's forechecking structure.
The F1 is the first forward into the offensive zone, pressuring the puck carrier. The F2 follows, positioning based on where F1 directs the play or to be ready for a pass.
The F3 stays higher in the zone, or «behind the play,» as Kelly described, providing defensive coverage if the opponents gain possession and serving as an offensive option if his team controls the puck.
With so much roster turnover last season, Kelly said the atmosphere heading into this year feels noticeably different compared to the start of 2024-25.
"Everyone's pretty much healthy right now too. So I think, other than OC, hopefully our lineup if everyone stays healthy will be right through the whole season and lead into playoffs and all that good stuff." -Kelly
With a fresh season ahead, Parker Kelly is ready to build on his growth, embrace new challenges, and prove he's a key piece of the Avalanche's future.
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