Avalanche sign Devon Toews to 7-year extension

Devon Toews and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to an extension through 2030-31.

The lingering question in the offseason and preseason of if and when the Colorado Avalanche were going to secure defenseman Devon Toews has been answered. His contract extends through 2030-31 for $7.25 million per year. 

Toews, who was acquired on Oct. 12, 2020 from the New York Islanders in exchange for second-round picks in the 2021 and 2022 NHL Draft, has made a significant impact since coming aboard. 

The 29-year-old owns the league-best plus/minus — plus-122 — since joining the Avalanche. In three seasons with Colorado, Toews has recorded 139 points in 200 regular-season games and 30 points in 37 playoff games. 

“I couldn’t be more excited to remain with the Avalanche and continue to build upon what we’ve accomplished so far,” Toews said. “Denver has become home to my family and we love being a part of this community. I’m excited to get this deal done and focus on our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Colorado.”

The Abbotsford, B.C. native ranked sixth in the NHL for plus/minus last season with a plus-39 and earned 50 points, placing him second for team defenseman behind his partner Cale Makar. 

“Getting a deal done with Devon at the start of the season was a priority for us,” Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland said. “He has emerged as one of the best defensemen in the NHL and is a huge part of the core of this team. He logs heavy minutes in all situations—5-on-5, power play and penalty kill—plays against the opposition’s top lines and is one of the top point-producing defenders in the game as well. And most importantly, he is one of our team leaders both on and off the ice. We’re thrilled to have him in an Avalanche sweater for the next eight years.”

Toews was selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. Since entering the league, he has recorded 185 points in 316 regular-season games and added 45 points in 67 Stanley Cup Playoff games.