Position: D Age: 25 Shoots: R 2015-2016 teams: Arizona Coyotes/Nashville Predators 2015-2016 stats: GP: 21 G: 2 A: 4 P: 6 PIM: 4 +/-: -3
I am sure you’re asking yourself why the Avalanche would want to bring back Elliott, a player they jettisoned just prior to last season? Well, he fills an organizational need. If you look at the 15 defensemen currently signed to deals with the Avs organization, only three (Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie and Mat Clark) are right-handed shots. Now, you can succeed without having left/right pairings on the blueline, but it would behoove the Avs to have some semblance of balance.
The organization also needs more offensive defensemen. Elliott is a good skater, with a great shot and showed last season that he is willing to sign a two-way deal. Signing him and sending him to San Antonio makes a lot of sense. If nothing else, he could be Barrie insurance.
