The July 1 free agency period came and went with the Avs making a splash. Here’s what they’ve been up to since then. Check back with CHI next week for some analysis on the offseason moves.

AVALANCHE SIGNS FORWARD DARCY TUCKER 

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed forward Darcy Tucker to a two-year contract.

“Darcy Tucker gives us scoring ability and a physical presence up front,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “He is a fierce competitor. We like the combination of qualities he will bring to our roster.”

Tucker, 33, will begin his 13th NHL season, his first with the Avalanche. He spent his last eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. A veteran of 813 NHL contests, the 5-10, 178-pound native of Castor, Alberta has scored 20 or more goals in four of his last five seasons and amassed 100 or more penalty minutes in three of his last five NHL campaigns.

AVALANCHE INKS WOLSKI TO NEW DEAL
Club’s Top Draft Choice in 2004 Signed Through 2009-2010 season

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed restricted free-agent forward Wojtek Wolski to a two-year contract.

“Wojtek is definitely part of the elite young group of players establishing themselves in the league. Therefore, we feel very strongly that he is important to the future success of our club,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “We’ve been pleased with his development at the NHL level and we expect him to be a big contributor to our team.”

Wolski, 22, a native of Zabrze, Poland completed his second full NHL season in 2007-08. He finished as the fourth leading scorer on the club (48 points) and his 30 assists ranked third among Avalanche skaters. He shared the team lead with six game-winning goals and was 4-for-8 in shootout attempts.

The 6-3 forward was drafted 21st overall by the Avalanche in 2004. He finished the 2006-07 campaign as the league’s fourth leading scorer among rookies, joining teammate Paul Stastny as just the third rookie duo since 1993-94 to both reach 50 points. Wolski and Stastny also became the third rookie tandem in franchise history to each net 20 goals. After beginning the 2005-06 season with the Avalanche, he went on to be named the Ontario Hockey League’s Player of the Year with the Brampton Battalion.

AVALANCHE SIGNS DEFENSEMAN DANIEL TJARNQVIST

Free Agent Forward Chris Durno Added to Organizational Roster 
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed free-agent defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist (T’YAHRN-kvihst) to a one-year contract.

Tjarnqvist, 31, has appeared in 315 NHL contests with Atlanta, Minnesota and Edmonton before playing last season in the Russian hockey league. The 6-2, 195-pound native of Umea, Sweden was drafted 88th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1995 NHL draft.  

“Daniel Tjarnqvist is an experienced defenseman who provides us greater depth on our blueline,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere.

The club also announced the signing of forward Chris Durno, a four-year letterman at Michigan Tech (1999-2003) who spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League with Milwaukee, Norfolk, Portland and San Antonio, where he recorded career highs last season in games played (80) and goals (22).

AVALANCHE SIGNS PER LEDIN
Winger Played for Team Sweden at 2008 World Championship
 
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed forward Per Ledin to a one-year contract.

Ledin, 29, spent this past season with HV 71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League, where he tallied 33 points (16g/17a) and 137 penalty minutes in 52 games.  The left winger finished third on the team in penalty minutes, fifth in goals and sixth in points.  He also appeared in all 17 playoff games for Jonkoping, which captured the league title.

“Per Ledin will add a different dimension to our team,” said Avalanche Assistant to the General Manager Michel Goulet.  “We believe his gritty style of play will benefit our club in the upcoming 2008-09 season.”

The Lulea, Sweden, native represented his country at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Halifax/Quebec City, recording five points (0g/5a) in seven games.  The 6-0, 194-pound winger has spent most of his professional career in Sweden but did play 27 games for the Baton Rouge  Kingfish of the East Coast Hockey League in 2000-01.