Avalanche extend 16 goal scorer to $1.25 million contract

The Colorado Avalanche have announced today that they have extended UFA forward Joel Kiviranta to a 1 year $1.25 million contract. 

This is a nice depth signing for an Avalanche team in need of solid role players. The 29 year Finnish native is coming off of a career best season with the Avs last season. He recorded 16 goals and 7 assists for 23 points in 79 games, all season high totals. 

Kiviranta has spent the last 2 years of his 6 year career in Colorado after signing there in the 2023 offseason, amassing 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 135 regular season games during that time in a bottom 6 role. In the playoffs, he has a goal and assist in 15 games.

Before his journey in Colorado, Joel played 4 years in the Dallas Stars organization where he is best known for the hat trick performance he had in the 2020 bubble playoffs. He scored 3 goals, including the overtime game winning goal in Game 7 against his current club in the semis that year. 

Over his 4 year stint in Dallas, Kiviranta produced 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 163 regular season games. In the playoffs, he recorded 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points in 36 games. 

Colorado now has a little over $2 million in salary cap space to use after the Kiviranta signing. This means they are likely done making major moves for the summer as the season approaches.