As the Colorado Avalanche enjoyed a day off, they still announced the signing this week of minor league forward Tristen Nielsen to a two-year NHL contract beginning this season. Per PuckPedia, the cap
hit is $775 on a two-way deal with guarantees of $150K in year one and $225K in year two.
The 25-year-old left shot forward spent the last four years in the Vancouver Canucks organization, winning the Calder Cup with Abbotsford last season. The B.C. native played in the WHL for the Calgary Hitmen and Vancouver Giants, where he was teammates of both Avalanche goaltender Trent Miner and former defenseman Bowen Byram. Nielsen signed a two-year Entry Level Contract with Vancouver in 2023 but never suited up for the Canucks.
Nielsen had been on AHL contract with the Colorado Eagles since signing in August but clearly impressed the coaching staff in training camp. He followed up that good showing with a strong start in the AHL contributing three goals and four assists in seven games with the Eagles. This move is very similar to when follow Eagles forward Tye Felhaber had his contract upgraded to an NHL pact last fall. Time will tell if Nielsen would get the same reward of getting into a NHL game, which would be his debut. The signing does make for a crowded group of forwards in the AHL vying for a call up.
