Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

The Avalanche have announced that they have signed Matt Hunwick to a two-year $3.2 million dollar deal. I was pretty surprised to hear this, and am worried about what it means for Shane O’Brien and Ryan Wilson. I believe that both these players are necessary for the Avs to be successful. Perhaps they intend to keep Stefan Elliott in the top 7 defense, and allow Tyson Barrie more time to develop? Once Barrie is a more ready player for the NHL, I can see Hunwick being traded.

Also, it was announced today that Adam Deadmarsh has stepped down from his position as assistant coach. He will still work in the organization, in the player development office. He states that family reasons were behind the position change. Tim Army (last year’s video coach) will replace Deadmarsh on the bench.