Devils acquire defenseman Ryan Graves from Colorado I RELEASE

Newark, NJ – The New Jersey Devils today acquired Colorado defenseman Ryan Graves in exchange for the forward Mikhail Maltsev and New Jersey’s second-round pick (No.61, previously acquired from the New York Islanders) in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 6’5 “, 220 lb blueliner has two more years on his contract with an average annual value of $ 3,166,667.

“Ryan brings physique, size, an ability to defend himself in difficult situations and a fearless level of competition that makes him difficult to face,” said Tom Fitzgerald, executive vice president and general manager of the New Jersey Devils. . “His assertive style of play and his ability to play with young defenders are characteristics that match what we are building with our squad. “

Graves, 26, scored two goals and 13 assists for 15 points with 55 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Avalanche last season, and had one goal and five assists for six points in 10 games during the playoffs. the 2021 Stanley Cup. He led the club in time on the ice per game (3:18), penalty minutes (55), blocked shots (91) and second on hits (77). Graves’ shorthanded time per game ranked third in the League and his total penalty minutes ranked 14^e.

In 136 career NHL games over three seasons, all with Colorado, he has scored 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points. He also had 102 penalty minutes and a plus-59 rating. In the past two seasons, he ranks 11^e short-handed on the ice per game. In 2019-2020, he led the NHL plus / minus at +40, also leading the league in the past two years (+55) and sixth in the past three years (+59). In 25 Stanley Cup playoff games, he added two goals, seven assists, 16 penalty minutes and a +14 rating.

Before becoming a regular in the NHL, Graves played a four-season game in the American Hockey League with Hartford, San Antonio and Colorado. In 260 career AHL regular season games, he scored 24 goals and 53 assists for 77 points with 221 penalty minutes and was an AHL All-Star in 2016.

Born May 21, 1995, the Yarmouth, NS native was the NY Rangers’ fourth round pick, 110^e overall pick in 2013 NHL Draft. Graves won the Memorial Cup with Quebec in 2015.

Maltsev has scored six goals and three assists for nine points and four penalty minutes in 33 NHL games with New Jersey this season. He was selected by New Jersey in the fourth round, 102^sd overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.