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Graves traded to New Jersey

GLENN MACDONALD SALTWIRE NETWORK

Ryan Graves is on the move.

The 26-year-old defenceman from Yarmouth has been traded by the Colorado Avalanche to the New Jersey Devils for forward Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft.

The trade was announced on July 15.

The trade was a pre-emptive move by the Avalanche because of the Seattle Kraken hockey expansion draft.

With this trade, Colorado could protect blue-liners Cale

Makar, Samuel Girard and Devon Toews. Protected lists were due by this past Saturday.

The expansion draft is Wednesday, July 21.

The New Jersey Devils added Graves to their protected list following the trade.

Graves had two goals and 15 points in 54 games with the Avalanche last season. He led the team in blocked shots with 91 and was second in hits with 77.

During the 2019-20 season, Graves led the NHL in plus/ minus with a plus-40 rating.

“Ryan brings physicality, size, an ability to defend in tough situations and a fearless compete level that makes him tough to play against,” Devils executive vice-president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a news release.

“His assertive style of play and ability to play with young defencemen are characteristics that fit into what we are building with our group.”

In several media interviews Graves said he was looking forward to the new opportunities that lie ahead with the Devils, which he called an up-and-coming team.

TOWN OF YARMOUTH

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2021-07-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

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