The Colorado Avalanche, discontent to simply sign free agents during Free Agency Frenzy, instead pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade. The big pieces moving were Tyson Barrie for Nazem Kadri. However, Alexander Kerfoot was also sent to Toronto.
Kerfoot’s tenure with the Avs wasn’t as long as Barrie’s, though he technically had spent his entire NHL career in Colorado. The Avalanche signed Kerfoot as a college free agent two years ago. On a two-year contract, Alexander was due for a new signing this season, and probably a significant pay raise. Granted, said raise would have been easy for the Avs to cover with all their cap space, but it’s likely why they were willing to package him in the deal.