Helm, 35, dressed in 68 games for the Avalanche this season, tallying 15 points (7g/8a) while ranking third on the team with 114 hits. His 1:55 of shorthanded ice time per game ranked second among Avalanche forwards and he was tied for second on the team with two shorthanded points (1g/1a). Helm, who spent his entire career with Detroit before being signed by the Avalanche last summer, appeared in his 800th career NHL game on April 2 vs. Pittsburgh.
In the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Helm recorded five points (2g/3a) and a +3 rating while playing in all 20 games for Colorado. He led the NHL with 97 hits and ranked second on the team and first among Avs forwards in average shorthanded ice time (2:35) as the Avalanche went 17-for-19 (89.5%) on the penalty kill during the Stanley Cup Final.
Helm scored the series-clinching goal with 5.6 seconds left in regulation in Game 6 of the second round at St. Louis on May 27 to send the Avalanche to its first Western Conference Final appearance since 2002. It was the second-latest regulation series-clinching goal in NHL history behind Toronto's Nick Metz in Game 6 of the 1942 Semifinals and came exactly 13 years to the day of his series-clinching overtime winner in Game 5 of the 2009 Western Conference Final against Chicago.
"Darren was an invaluable member of our championship team last season, especially during the playoffs," said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland. "He brings a high-compete, high-energy level and veteran leadership to our group. We are excited to have him back for another season."
Selected by the Red Wings in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Helm has produced 266 points (119g/147a) in 812 career NHL contests with Detroit and Colorado. He has produced 26 points (13g/13a) in 102 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The 6-foot, 192-pound left wing departed the Red Wings with the 17th-most regular season games in the history of the franchise. His 13 shorthanded goals rank eighth in Red Wings history, and he helped Detroit win the Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2008. Helm appeared in 18 of Detroit's 22 playoff contests during that 2008 Stanley Cup run, recording four points (2g/2a). A year later, he dressed in all 23 playoff games (4g/1a) and led the NHL with 118 hits as the Red Wings lost to Pittsburgh in seven games during the 2009 Stanley Cup Final.
Prior to turning pro, Helm played three seasons with Medicine Hat, where he was named to the WHL East First All-Star Team in 2005-06 and WHL East Second All-Star Team in 2006-07. He helped the Tigers reach the Memorial Cup tournament during that 2007 playoff run and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. Helm won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.
