Avalanche re-sign RW Svatos

Jul 26, 2008 - 1:18 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche avoided arbitration with right wing Marek Svatos on Friday, re-signing him to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Rocky Mountain News is reporting the deal is worth $4.1 million.

Svatos, 26, scored 26 goals and had 11 assists in 62 games last season before suffering a torn ACL, which caused him to miss the playoffs.

The Czech was tied for the team lead with 32 tallies during the 2005-06 campaign, which also ranked third in the league behind Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins for most among first-year players. His nine game-winning goals tied the NHL mark for most by a rookie.

"Marek Svatos has been a key ingredient to our success the last few years," Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said. "He's scored many big goals for this club and we expect him to be a strong force for us again this season."

Selected by Colorado in the seventh round of the 2001 draft, Svatos has registered 75 goals and 44 assists in 193 career games.