The Colorado Avalanche have signed Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract. His deal will be worth $1.25 million. The Finn will start his third year with the club after earning a spot two years ago. Two years ago, they cut him from the team after he attended training camp on a professional tryout. The Colorado Eagles then offered him a PTO, and he earned an AHL contract. The team re-signed Kiviranta to an NHL contract after he played only 10 games with the Eagles because Artturi Lehkonen suffered an injury.

Kiviranta has become a fan favorite ever since his call-up. His work ethic on the bottom-six has proven to the Avalanche as a useful tool. His strong forecheck has become something the opponent dreads on their power play.

Last season saw career highs in both goals and assists for Kiviranta. His 16 goals doubled his career high from 2022-23 with the Dallas Stars. His seven assists topped his career high by one from the 2021–22 season, once again with the Stars.

Kiviranta proved he could be in a bottom-six role for the Avalanche. He plays both on the penalty kill and rarely on the power play. His success last season allowed him to even jump up to the second line for a few games. Understandably, Kiviranta tested the free agent market with last season’s highs. He was barely making over the league minimum, but now will earn a little more.

The contract is not a bad contract. This assumes that Kiviranta can maintain the same production that he did last season. This will be a “show me” contract once again with the Avalanche. If he can prove that his production can stay the same, if not go up, then he may earn a contract with some term. Kiviranta has turned into a pleasant surprise over the last couple of years; let’s just hope he keeps it up.