The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed defenseman Brett Clark to a two-year contract extension good through the 2009-10 season.
“Brett has been an instrumental part of our team’s overall success,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “He’s been a steady, dependable asset to our defensive group and we expect him to be a strong contributor to this club in the coming seasons. Brett’s shown a tremendous amount of perseverance and he’s demonstrated his commitment and dedication to our organization.”
Clark, 30, completed his second full-season with the Avalanche in 2006-07 where he eclipsed his NHL career highs set in games played (82), goals (10), assists (29) and points (39). His 23:40 average ice-time per game led the Avalanche last year and he led the entire NHL in shifts per game (35.1). His 210 blocked shots a year ago led the Avalanche and ranked fourth in the NHL. Clark was the only Avalanche defenseman to appear in all 82 games last season and he owns a current games-played streak of 143 dating back to November 23, 2005.
Originally selected by the Montreal Canadiens (154th overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Clark was acquired by the Avalanche in exchange for Frederic Cassivi on January 24, 2002.
According to the Denver Post, it's a $7M contract, so $3.5/yr.
Last edited by avsfan4026: 08-27-2007 at 05:10 PM.
It's not so much a money thing, I would have preferred they would have let Clark walk next off-season. I just get the feeling this will be Liles last year in Colorado.
I would also keep Liles over Clark(future), but let's not overreact here. Let's wait and see how much Clark will be making in next 2 years.
I'm a little worried waiting for the numbers, I can't see him making more than what he will earn this season, that is 1,5 M$ but I fear he will get as much as Skratch
It's not so much a money thing, I would have preferred they would have let Clark walk next off-season. I just get the feeling this will be Liles last year in Colorado.
Don't speak about that, I can't even think about it, the Avs without Liles
I'm a little worried waiting for the numbers, I can't see him making more than what he will earn this season, that is 1,5 M$ but I fear he will get as much as Skratch
He will get easily more than Skratch. That's my opinion. He did average the most icetime after all.. He deserves nice amount of money.
Well I think they gave Skratch too much money to begin with.
I'm happy with Clark, but he wasn't spectacular either, the Avs defensive corp was average to say the least, will he play at the same level next season, I'm not so sure, a little too soon to lock a guy like him.
And don't forget the more you give Clark, the more you will have to give Liles and Leopold
Our D sucked last year, but he still managed to do at least decent job when playing too much. He's solid top-4 D.
Agreed.
I don't see what this has to do with Liles. With Clark re-signing, we still only have 4 D-men under contract next year. (Hannan/Skrastins/Leopold/Clark)
I don't see what this has to do with Liles. With Clark re-signing, we still only have 4 D-men under contract next year. (Hannan/Skrastins/Leopold/Clark)
Yup, that's right and I can't see how they could let go Liles, he's still our powerplay quaterback. Clark is good, but not as good as Liles(offensive-zone). Clark is propably our best puck moving defenseman..
I just heard this reported on AM 950, and my immediate reaction was...
Someone please get ahold of ABasin to check on him and make sure he's ok... no sharp knives, no ledges... you get the picture.
Yup...Abasin probably needs to be revived right about now. hahahaha
It's probably too much but then again, when you compare to what most of the other D-men around the league that are playing as much as 20mins per game, it's not that bad. I'll take Clark at $3.5M before Harmlik at $5.5M anyday... Still, I think a two year extension at $2.5M or $2.75M would have been about right. It's an overpayment but I think our defensive prospects (Williams, Montgomery, Shattenkirk, Cohen, etc) won't be ready until the end of Clark's contract anyhow so at least we hang on to him until then.
Ouch! $3.5 M for Clark is too much. I would agree that he is a decent 5-6 D-man, but he's getting more than 5-6 money. I don't get the love affair with him either.
Well, if JM Liles has a good year without any serious injuries, he will get,on the UFA market, between 4.5$ and 5 per year. Liles is more creative in the offensive zone but Clark is better, rigth now, in is own zone.
Hmmm. I have mixed feelings about this. I think Clark is one of the more under-appreciated Dmen in the league and am happy that the Avs locked him up for 2 more years. Having said that, however, I am a little worried about the amount. On one hand he deserves the money, having done well. On the other if he is making so much money he is not the bargain he was, which devalues him signifigantly in my opinion. Oh well. Here's hoping he has another season of eclipsing previous highs.
* Stastny * Tulowitzki
