Toninato/Kerfoot > ButcherÂ
By Richard Gonzalez
The Colorado Avalanche have failed to sign their 2012 fifth round pick Will Butcher who became unrestricted free agents on August 15, 2017, but made up for it by signing two former college players Dominic Toninato and Alex Kerfoot
Toninato:
Toninato is a 6’1″ 165-pound center who was originally drafted by the Leafs in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL entry draft. He is an American player who was born in Minnesota.
Toninato’s signed a two-year contract with a 92,500 signing bonus and a total cap hit of 925K.
Toninato spent the last four seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and played in 151 games scoring 91 points (54 goals and 37 assists). In his senior year, he served as the team’s captain.
He is a versatile two-way center who can score goals and create chances for his team mates. He can be used on the power play as well as the penalty kill.
Kerfoot:
Kerfoot is a 5’10” 175-pound center who was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. He is a Canadian player who was born in Vancouver.
Kerfoot’s signed a two-year contract with also a 92,500 signing bonus with a total cap hit of 925K.
Kerfoot spent the last four seasons with Harvard of the ECAC and played in 121 games scoring 123 points (36 goals and 87 assists). He also served as the team’s captain for his senior year.
Kerfoot is described as a natural when it comes to his offensive skills. He has great on ice vision and is quick with the puck. He plays bigger than his size and isn’t afraid to throw his body around.
Analysis:
I feel the Avalanche made up for the fact that they failed to sign Butcher. We have some great prospect centers who have a lot of a potential to be top six players for the Avalanche organization.
Both of these players don’t have too much pressure as the Avalanche are in the rebuilding stage. They each will have the opportunity to crack the opening night line up and if not, they will most likely get an opportunity to play for the big club later in the season.
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September 4th, 2017