Why The Ross Colton Signing Today Was A Home Run For The Avs

He was the perfect guy to fill J.T. Compher's skates

Ross Colton - four years, $16 million. Done. And, well done.

That’s what happened this afternoon, when the Avalanche signed their last significant restricted free agent to the new contract as specified above. Four years, $16 million for a guy who had 32 points in 81 games last year? Who has 83 points in 190 career games?

Well done, Dater? Are you feeling OK? Well, other than the chronically bad back and a new, daily pain in my left hip, yeah I’m feeling pretty good. Ross Colton signed for the next four years, at a $4 million cap hit, is a great deal for the Avs and GM Chris MacFarland.

It’s a great deal for a few reasons, starting with what was his free-agent status after this season: