Avalanche signs Georgii Merkulov to one-year contract

The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Georgii Merkulov to a one-year, two-way contract, adding a 25-year-old depth player from the Bruins organization. Merkulov has been a prolific scorer in the AHL with Providence, posting strong seasons including 24 goals and 61 points in 70 games in 2025-26, and has tallied 11 career NHL games with Boston. The move is designed to bolster the Avalanche’s bottom-six and organizational depth as they integrate new players such as Vinnie Hinostroza, Adam Beckman, and Fabian Lysell, while also offsetting departures from their forward group. Merkulov turned pro after a standout 34-point college season at Ohio State and signed with Boston as an undrafted free agent in 2022, with his professional career entirely in the Bruins’ system to date. He has experience being called up to the NHL and could earn additional opportunities with Colorado, depending on camp performance. This signing comes amid Colorado’s broader roster reshuffle and strategic push to deepen their pipeline, including trades and signings aimed at sustaining a competitive core.