Colorado has added some depth on the back end, announcing the signing of defenseman Jordan Gross to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports (Twitter links) that it’s a two-way agreement that pays $750K at the NHL level.
The 26-year-old was up with the Coyotes for all of last season but spent the majority of his time on the taxi squad before suffering a lower-body injury which cost him the final 14 games. As a result, he only got into seven games with Arizona where he managed to pick up three assists. With his age and lack of NHL experience (just nine career appearances), that qualified him for Group Six unrestricted free agency this summer.
Gross had been a productive piece from the back end with AHL Tucson in his first two professional campaigns, notching 25 and 27 points with the Roadrunners and it’s likely that element that drew interest from Colorado. He’s likely to start the season in the minors but since he does have a little bit of offensive upside, Gross will be a candidate to be recalled whenever injuries arise.