Riley Tufte News
Tufte has already appeared in two NHL games this season and has scored three goals with one assist in six AHL games. The 26-year-old winger has just two goals and one assist in 20 career NHL games with the Stars, Avalanche and Bruins.
Tufte has been limited to only 20 NHL games since being drafted 25th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 26-year-old has excelled at the AHL level, most recently tallying 45 points (23G / 22A) in 67 games with the Colorado Eagles last season.
Justin Brazeau and Morgan Geekie will be healthy scratches for the Bruins on Wednesday as Max Jones and Riley Tufte will draw back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Tufte made his Bruins debut last week, recording a -1 plus/minus in 9:21 time-on-ice.
Tufte was a minus-1 in 9:21 TOI in his season debut on Thursday but will come out of the lineup on Saturday to make room for Matthew Poitras.
Max Jones will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Tufte to make his Bruins debut. The 26-year-old Tufte spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 45 points (23G / 22A) in 67 games with the Colorado Eagles. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 career NHL games.
Tufte only appeared in five NHL games with Colorado in 2023-24 and earned himself a one-year, $775,000 deal with Boston on Monday. The 26-year-old left-winger spent most of his season last year with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and had 23 goals and 45 points in 67 games played.
Tufte appeared in two games in his latest call-up to the Avalanche and had a goal and an assist but has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) Saturday. The 25-year-old returns to the minors, where he was dominant prior to his promotion with nine goals, eight assists, six PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 12 games played.
Tufte is expected to play his second game of the season for the Avalanche on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Kraken. In his only game this season, Tufte was held without a point but took four shots on goal in 11:28 time-on-ice.
Valeri Nichushkin did not practice with the Avalanche on Wednesday as he was away from the team for the birth of his child. He has not been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Settle Kraken but if he is unable to go, look for Tufte to slot into the lineup. In his only game this season, Tufte recorded zero points and four shots in 11:28 time-on-ice.
Tufte played 11:28 in his Avalanche debut on Wednesday, recording four shots, one hit, and a -1 plus/minus rating. He has now been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles where he has eight points (6G / 2A) in six games.
After a terrific start to the AHL season with the Colorado Eagles, recording eight points (6G / 2A) in six games, Tufte has been recalled by the Avalanche. Tufte has only played 13 games in his NHL career, all with the Dallas Stars, in which he has recorded one point (1G / 0A). He is expected to make his Avalanche debut on Wednesday playing on a line with Ryan Johansen and Valeri Nichushkin.
After a terrific start to the AHL season with the Colorado Eagles, recording eight points (6G / 2A) in six games, Tufte has been recalled by the Avalanche. Tufte has only played 13 games in his NHL career, all with the Dallas Stars, in which he has recorded one point (1G / 0A).
Tufte signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche in the offseason but has failed to appear in either of their opening season wins which has lead to him being reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) Monday. The 25-year-old returns to the AHL, where he had 19 goals, 15 assists, 90 PIMs, and a +23 plus/minus in 63 games with the Texas Stars (AHL) in 2022-23.
Tufte was the 25th overall pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but was never able to become a permanent fixture in their roster, playing only 13 total games and scoring one goal. He will look to have a more regular role this season on Colorado's fourth line.
Tufte failed to pick up a point across three games with Dallas in 2022-23 but had a SOG and was a -1 plus/minus and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Colorado. The 25-year-old left-winger was a former first-round pick (25th overall) in 2016 and has one career goal in 13 games played across two NHL seasons. He should provide a solid depth piece for Colorado after posting 19 goals and 35 points in 63 games with Texas (AHL) in 2021-22 as well.