Colorado Avalanche Re-Sign Cody McLeod to 3-Year Contract

Shortly before the start of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, TSN's Hockey Insider Darren Dreger broke the news on Twitter that the Colorado Avalanche re-signed pugilistic winger Cody McLeod to a three-year contract.

After a bit more time, Dreger also revealed the contract was for $3.5 million over the three years.

I have to admit that I am a little bit surprised that McLeod decided to come back to the Avalanche. As I explained in a previous article, Cody McLeod might be one of the worst-used players in the NHL.

McLeod has the capability of scoring 10-15 goals a season yet almost never sees more than nine minutes of ice time during the course of a game.

During last season, in which McLeod played 75 games, he crossed 10 minutes of ice time only five times.

McLeod has the potential to play on a team's third line and be one of the hard-nosed forecheckers that provides a lot of energy because of his physical play, but he never gets that kind of chance under Joe Sacco.

It should be interesting to see what happens with McLeod next season. He'll likely end up playing the same role on the Avalanche that he has played the last five seasons, during each of which he has broken the 100-penalty-minute mark.

McLeod could see another position battle in camp this coming season, as Patrick Bordeleau gave him a run for his money. Throw in Brad Malone and Luke Walker, young prospects who each had good camps last season, and McLeod could once again be in a fight for his spot on the team.

Either way, it's nice to see Cody McLeod back in the burgundy and blue.