Quoting: KSIxSKULLS
Its double league minimum for an easily replaceable player. He does bring good leadership though, you're right there
Disagree about: "easily replaceable player". Cogliano is still one of the fastest skaters in the NHL and one of the better penalty killers.
I have to say that I was initially skeptical about the Cogs signing; I thought he was over the hill and kind of a re-tread. I have been blown away by how much of a positive impact he has had on and off the ice for the Avs. I have always loved the assembly and deployment of the grinders on the Avs since the Podein-Yelle-Messier line. Guys like Dan Hinote have always been my favorites to follow. I see that type of impact from Cogliano and would bet that he'll be an NHL coach the moment he hangs up his skates.
Yes, technically the league minimum is $750,000 but most 30+ year old veterans sign an "unofficial" minimum of $900k-$1,000,000 per year to play on a contender's 4th line (Maroon, Perry, Bellemare, Simmonds, etc). Islanders got Parise to sign for $750k but that was different since he had a huge buyout. Islanders 4th line still is the most expensive: Cizikas $2.5m; Clutterbuck $1.75m, Martin $1.5m; so the Avs are well below that average for veteran grinders.
Comparison: Derek Ryan for Edmonton is also $1.25m; Nic Dowd in Washington $1.3m, Luke Glendening in Dallas $1.5m; Bozak in St. Louis just came off a $2m contract.