The Avalanche prevented Mark Barberio from testing free agency by signing the defenseman to a two-year, $2.9 million contract extension Tuesday. Barberio will make $1.45 million in each of the next two seasons, nearly doubling his recent two-year contract worth $800,000 and $700,000, respectively.
Barberio, 28, missed 46 games this season because of an upper-body injury, but played in all six of Colorado’s playoff games, finishing third on the team in average ice time (22:18) in the postseason.
“Mark has been a steady part of our blue line since joining the team and has helped solidify our defensive depth,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a release.