The Avalanche announced the signings of three of its six qualified restricted free agents Tuesday. Forwards Gabriel Bourque and Felix Girard and defenseman Duncan Siemens agreed to one-year, two-way contracts for next season.
Defenseman Nikita Zadorov and forwards Matt Nieto and Rocco Grimaldi remain unsigned RFAs. Zadorov and Nieto played regularly with Colorado last season and are expected to make the Avs’ opening-night lineup in October. Bourque, Girard, Siemens and Grimaldi are likely bound for San Antonio of the American Hockey League.
Zadorov, 22, played in 56 games for Colorado last season and is considered a cornerstone defenseman for the team.