Avalanche take notice after divisional rival signs another rising star to a contract extension
Photo credit: Bob Kupbens / Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche are keeping a close eye on their divisional rival, the Winnipeg Jets, after the team locked up promising young forward Nikita Chibrikov with a new contract extension.
Chibrikov, agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets.
Jets lock up young star forward Nikita Chibrikov.
Tyler Kuehl from Daily Faceoff writes that the one-way contract, set to begin next season, carries a cap hit of $875,000 and runs through the 2027-28 campaign.
Chibrikov is entering the final year of his three-year entry-level contract, which carries a cap hit of $875,333 and an average annual value of $925,000.
"The 22-year-old has spent most of the first two seasons of pro hockey in North America with the Jets' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. He had a promising rookie season, scoring 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points in 70 games during the 2023-24 campaign." -Kuehl
Chibrikov got off to a strong start last season, earning a brief call-up to the Jets where he tallied two goals and an assist in four games.
Unfortunately, a lower-body injury in January sidelined him for the rest of the year. Before the setback, the Moscow native posted seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 30 games with the Manitoba Moose.
"There's a lot of hope that Chibrikov can turn into an efficient scorer in the near future. He's quick and has the hands that make him a solid playmaker. Many hope that his injury last season hindered his development." -Kuehl
So far in his young career, Chibrikov has recorded three goals and four points across just five NHL games. At the AHL level, he's produced consistently, tallying 25 goals and 41 assists over 102 games with the Manitoba Moose.
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