DENVER, July 24 -- The Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche filled a void on defense Tuesday by signing unrestricted free agent Todd Gill, a 17-year veteran who spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Terms were not disclosed.
Gill, 35, is Colorado's first significant addition since capturing its second championship in six years. The Avalanche retained All-Star free agents Joe Sakic, Rob Blake and Patrick Roy, but lost five-time Norris Trophy winner Ray Bourque to retirement and fellow defenseman Jon Klemm to free agency.
"Todd gives us a mix of veteran awareness and toughness on the blue line," assistant general manager Brian MacDonald said. "While we still have a solid mix of younger players and veterans on our roster, Todd will also provide our defense corps with a sense of poise, experience and aggressiveness."
The 6-2, 179-pound Gill had three goals, eight assists and 53 penalty minutes in 68 games last season. He tied for the Red Wings' team lead with a plus-17 rating and was third in average ice time and hits (103).
Gill has 82 goals and 267 assists in 966 NHL games with Toronto, San Jose, St. Louis, Phoenix and Detroit.
