Every day until June 30, we’ll write about a pending unrestricted free agent. Today’s UFA of the Day is…
Mikkel Boedker
The Colorado Avalanche were in a playoff spot when they acquired Boedker at the deadline from Arizona. They expected to stay in one.
Now they’re facing the prospect of watching Boedker walk away for nothing, and oh yeah, they missed the playoffs.
The Coyotes, meanwhile, will have the 53rd overall draft pick this summer, as compensation for unsigned former first-rounder Conner Bleackley. They also received prospect Kyle Wood in the trade.
All of which is to say, if the Avs don’t re-sign Boedker, it won’t look particularly good for GM Joe Sakic.
Of course, it won’t look too great if Sakic overpays Boedker, so there’s that to consider as well.
Boedker had four goals and eight assists in 18 games with the Avs. Combined with his Coyotes stats, he had 51 points (17G, 34A) in 80 games last season.
Prior to being dealt to Colorado, the 26-year-old winger reportedly turned down a five-year offer from Arizona worth $5.5 million per. In April, he was noncommittal about signing with the Avs, telling the Denver Post, “There’s no decision as of right now. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far and we’ll see what happens in the summer.”
Of note, if Boedker hits the open market, he’ll be one of the youngest UFA forwards available. Expect his agent to hammer that point home in negotiations, quite possibly pushing for a long-term deal.
Click here for all our 2016 UFA profiles.