The Avalanche announced Thursday it has signed its 2018 first-round draft pick, Czech Republic forward Martin Kaut, and according to CapFriendly.com the two-way contract is potentially worth $2.8 million.
Kaut, 18, was selected by Colorado with the 16th pick in last month’s NHL draft in Dallas. He has played the last two seasons with HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Republic’s top professional league.
Kaut will compete in the Avs’ training camp in September and likely begin the season with the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles in Loveland. He also could play for the Brandon Wheat Kings of major-junior’s Western Hockey League but has said he again wants to play professionally — and not in his homeland.