The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Alex Barre-Boulet to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract will be worth $775,000 at the NHL level, according to Puckpedia. He spent most of last season playing for a very talented Laval Rocket (MTL) and helped take them to the Eastern Conference Finals. He played just two games for the Montreal Canadiens, but had no points. With the Rocket, he ended the regular season with 63 points, tallying 22 goals and 41 assists. Barre-Boulet finished seventh in the AHL in overall scoring.

Barre-Boulet was undrafted out of the QMJHL and signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, since they had no space for him in the NHL. The Seattle Kraken claimed him off of waivers when the Lightning tried to reassign him, staying with them for only a short three weeks. Tampa Bay reclaimed him and Barre-Boulet signed a one-year deal with the Canadiens last summer.

He is an undersized center that can bring a lot of speed through the middle of the ice. He has a high work ethic, something that will fit well with the Colorado Eagles system. The Canadian is a big playmaker on any team that he comes to, often producing more assists than goals. He keeps his head up, always looking for the pass and will crash the crease. If Barre-Boulet is not starting the play, he is attempting to finish it. Eagles’ fans can relate his style of play to former Colorado Eagle forward Matthew Phillips. Barre-Boulet will be a very good replacement for Phillips on the power play and on the even strength play.

The Avalanche had to replace about 57 points with the departure of Phillips and Barre-Boulet would fit the bill. His 70 games of NHL experience also helped his case with 18 points. Avalanche fans can expect a rare call up for Barre-Boulet to fill the fourth line or the third line if he is lucky. But fans will not see him very much in Denver.