Avalanche place defenseman Brad Hunt on waivers

The Colorado Avalanche have placed defenseman Brad Hunt on waivers on Saturday, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

The 34-year-old is in his first season with the club, recording six points in 26 games. Hunt has spent half of the year in the AHL, recording an impressive six goals and 20 points in 22 games with the Eagles. He started the year in the minors before getting called up in early December before playing a depth role with the Avalanche ever since.

Hunt signed a two-year deal with the Avalanche last summer at a cap-friendly $762,500. He’s done his job as a depth defender and has recently helped out with Cale Makar and Josh Manson out. Placing Hunt on waivers could mean one, or both, could be on their way back soon, especially with Hunt skating on his own after getting hit in the head by Jeff Carter a few nights ago.

Stepping up in a pinch has been Hunt’s specialty. The 5-foot-9 defender signed his first NHL contract in 2013 with Edmonton after spending parts of two years in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. Before that, he was a standout at Bemidji State University, winning a CHA title in 2009 and making it to the all-academic team three years in a row.

The four-time AHL All-Star Game participant put up big numbers in the AHL early in his career but struggled to make it full-time with the Oilers. He then bounced around between St. Louis, Nashville and Vegas before putting in some solid performances with Minnesota. Hunt then moved to Vancouver last year before signing with the Avs last summer.

If Hunt gets picked up, it’ll be his eighth NHL team since making his league debut in 2013-14.

The Avalanche currently sit third in a tight Central Division race, holding a tiebreaker over Minnesota due to fewer games played.