The Colorado Avalanche agreed to a one-year contract Thursday with forward Mikhail Grigorenko. Grigorenko, 21, was Buffalo’s first round choice in 2012, drafted 12th overall. Last season, the young forward split time between Buffalo and their AHL affiliate, Rochester, appearing in 25 games for the Sabres and tallying 3 goals and 3 assists on the season.

NHL: Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres

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Grigorenko, who was a restricted free agent, was acquired on June 26, alongside defenseman Nikita Zadorov, forward J.T. Compher, and a second round pick (31st overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft .The Avalanche sent forwards Jamie McGinn and Ryan O’Reilly to Buffalo in exchange.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Russian has appeared in 68 career games in the NHL, logging 14 total points.

The Avalanche also announced the signing of forward Andrew Agozzino to a one-year contract and defenseman Mat Clark to a two-year deal. Both are expected to play for Colorado’s new AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.


Bryce Rudnick, a Mile High Sports intern and CU-Boulder student, contributed to this report