The Colorado Avalanche secured their fourth line a little bit more today with the re-signing of center Ben Meyers. The former University of Minnesota captain played only 39 games for the Avalanche last season and really did not find his spark. Just as things were starting to look his way, Meyers suffered a back injury that would set him back for the rest of the year. Meyers spent the majority of the second half of the season with the Colorado Eagles but started to find a groove there. In his 30 games played in Loveland, he netted six goals and assisted on 18 more.
The contract has yet to be confirmed as a one-way or a two-way, but it will have a cap hit of $775,000. It would not shock me if the contract is a two-way deal to give the Avalanche a little mobility on the fourth line. He will be a player that will be able to help in both Denver and Loveland this season.
The potential for Meyers to be a great player is definitely there. The big question lies in whether his college game will really translate well to the NHL. There was only one year, his final season with the University of Minnesota, that he became more than a point-per-game player. He was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker that same season. Before he got injured last season, he was starting to see the plays and getting close to scoring. There were times when frustration could be seen on his face. “It is just part of the game, you have your highs and your lows. But it is something you learn to play through,” he once told me after a game in Denver. Either way, he will be a key piece in the faceoff drama that has always plagued the Avalanche. With a winning percentage of 51.34, he is someone that Colorado will want to have around for key situations.