Avalanche signs Georgii Merkulov to one-year contract

Colorado Avalanche signed forward Georgii Merkulov to a one-year contract, adding a prolific AHL scorer who led Providence in points and should bolster depth for the 2026-27 season. With 11 NHL games on his resume, Merkulov will compete for a depth role as the Avalanche reshape their forward group and look for NHL callups from their extended roster.