The Colorado Avalanche announced this week that they have reached a three-year agreement with veteran forward Jaden Schwartz, locking him in at an average annual value of $3.25 million. The deal, first reported by Sportsnet’s NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, adds a proven scorer and penalty-kill specialist to a roster that is eyeing another deep playoff run.
Schwartz, 34, arrives in Colorado after a season that saw him net 26 goals and 49 points in 81 games for the Seattle Kraken. The contract marks a continuation of a career that began with the St. Louis Blues, the team with which he captured the Stanley Cup in 2019, and includes a stint in the expansion draft that sent him to Seattle.
A veteran presence for a contending roster
Over 861 NHL games, Schwartz has accumulated 553 points, including a career-high 63-point campaign in 2014-15. He is known for his versatility, routinely contributing on both the power play and the penalty kill, and his knack for delivering clutch goals, as evidenced by his 12-goal, two-game-winning performance during the Blues’ 2019 championship run.
Drafted in the first round in 2010, the forward spent a decade in St. Louis before moving west, where he also pursued two seasons at Colorado College before making the jump to the NHL in 2012. His experience and leadership are expected to complement the Avalanche’s young talent as the team looks to build on its recent successes.
General manager Brad Ross said the signing reflects the club’s commitment to blending youthful dynamism with veteran reliability. The move also underscores the Avalanche’s strategy of bolstering depth ahead of the upcoming season, ensuring they have the flexibility to navigate injuries and maintain offensive momentum.
Fans will recognize Schwartz’s name from the 2019 Cup celebrations, and his addition signals the Avalanche’s intent to remain a formidable force in the Western Conference. As the team prepares for training camp, the new contract adds a layer of stability and expectation that could prove pivotal in the months ahead.