DETROIT – University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher, who was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference player of the year on Thursday and was a 2013 draft choice of the Colorado Avalanche, will soon be offered an NHL contract by the Avs, BSN Denver has learned.
An NHL source said the Avalanche, after internal deliberations, will make an earnest contract offer to the DU senior and captain, who played Friday night in a game against the University of North Dakota in St. Paul, Minn.
It has been an open question of late as to whether the Avs would offer Butcher a contract before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Aug.