The Avalanche continue to change up some of their depth forwards.  This time, per a team announcement, they’ve signed veteran Vinnie Hinostroza to a two-year deal.  It’s a two-way pact carrying an $875K AAV at the NHL level.

The 32-year-old was a full-time player in the NHL last season, getting into 65 games between Minnesota and Florida, the second-highest games played total of his career.  He played a limited role with the Wild and was held to 10 points in 48 games in a little over 10 minutes per night of playing time.  In desperate need of healthy bodies down the stretch, the Panthers acquired Hinostroza for future considerations just before the trade deadline in March.  With a chance to play a bit more (his ATOI increased to 12:44 per night), he chipped in with three points and five assists in 17 contests.

For his career, Hinostroza has played in 477 NHL contests over parts of 11 seasons with seven different teams; Colorado will be his eighth.  In those outings, he has 65 goals and 114 assists.

Hinostroza hasn’t played in the minors since 2024-25 but the two-way provision in his contract suggests that the team thinks he’ll do so at some point over the next two years.  He has been quite productive at that level, notching 159 points in 157 games.  He’ll likely have a chance to push for a spot at the back of the roster in training camp but if that doesn’t work out and he makes it through waivers to join the Eagles, Hinostroza will have a chance to make a big impact with them next season.