Avalanche D Zadorov signs two-year deal

Sep 15, 2017 - 10:26 PM Restricted free-agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov signed a two-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the deal was worth $4.3 million with an average annual value of $2.15 million.

Zadorov, 22, reportedly was receiving interest from the Kontinental Hockey League prior to signing the contract. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Russian missed the first day of training camp on Thursday as he awaited a new contract.

"Zadorov is a big, young, physical defenseman who was starting to emerge as one of our top D before his (ankle) injury last season," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in release. "He's an important part of our blueline and we expect him to log big minutes this year. We are excited to have him under contract."

Zadorov collected 10 assists and a team-best 153 hits in 56 games last season. He has four goals, 28 points and 140 penalty minutes in 145 career contests since being selected by Buffalo with the 16th overall pick of the 2013 draft.