Jeff Finger and Kurt Sauer didn’t want to come back to Colorado to be the 7th defensemen. The Avs have Kyle Cumiskey, but not much else ready for NHL action so it seemed clear that Francois Giguere would be adding some low-salary depth to the Avs. Apparently, the Avalanche have signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist from Sweden. Of course, there’s no confirmation from the Avs as of yet.
Tjarnqvist has played recently with the Wild and the Oilers and was in Russia last season. I don’t recall much about him, but I think it’s safe to say this is a depth move and not much else. According to that article, several Swedish teams were interested in signing him, but the lure of the NHL was just too strong.
without seeing the numbers, it’s a good signing. he’ll be a cheap option in the press box, and he’s not bad either.
Press release on Avs site up now:
http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367743
numbers here.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=70
Looks like he’s a -54 career, but a plus 3 in his last nhl season with edmonton. The really bad years minus wise were also with a not very good atlanta team. We need the depth.
I don’t like the signing because I’m going to have to look up how to spell his name any time I want to comment about him. =).
I shall call him…Tarny. Easy!
Yeah seems like a depth move to me…I just kinda remember Tjarnqvist as sort of a poor man’s PP QB, which makes me wonder if the organization really isn’t quite so enamored with Cumiskey after all. The guy has serious wheels but will he ever put together the rest of the package?
I don’t think this reflects that’s poorly on Cumiskey. You want to have 7 guys with experience, especially when one of those guys is Adam Foote. I think Cumiskey will still have chances to show his stuff.
Actually I think this is a hedge at least against Cumiskey being ready, but since they do the same thing…
Good point…probably looking at a training camp battle. If Cumiskey isn’t ready for the roster this fall, Tjarnqvist may not be a bad option to have sitting in the press box, especially as a minimal cap hit. The injury bug sure seems comfortable nesting in Denver…look at Kurt Sauer. Barely touched the ice for months, then was out there for 25 minutes a game. Can never have too much depth on the blueline.
Doctor: Depending on how he pans out you may just want to call him “Tarnished”
I was really surprised to see both Finger and Sauer go. Yes we have 6 good D-men, but Leoprone is one of those guys. We definitely need that 7th man to fill Leoprone’s position when he’s injured 30+ games. Cuminsky will fill in that 8th spot in case/when we have two D-men out.