The Avalanche on Tuesday re-signed right wing Mark Rycroft to a one-year contract. The Avalanche also inked free-agent defensemen Jeff Jillson and Dale Purinton to one-year deals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Marek Svatos did not have the follow-up to his terrific rookie season the Avalanche had hoped for, but that didn't stop general manager Francois Giguere from giving the young right wing a new one-year contract Thursday. Svatos agreed to a deal worth $1.2 million, up from the $1.05 million of his old contract. Svatos played in five more games than the 61 he played his rookie season, but scored 17 fewer goals than the 32 of his first full year. His point total dropped as well, from 50 to 30. Still, Giguere hopes the sophomore slump was an aberration. "We are looking for Marek to regain his rookie season scoring touch and heroics," Giguere said. "He has tremendous skills and is part of a group of young players ready to make a significant impact on the success of our team."

Ryan Smyth has found a new home with the Avalanche. Late in a frenzied first day of free-agent signing, Smyth -- the last remaining topflight forward left the Islanders on Sunday night for a return trip to the Western Conference. Islanders GM Garth Snow, who made retaining Smyth his top priority, got the bad news that Smyth was leaving Long Island shortly before 11 p.m. EDT from the forward's agent, Don Meehan.