The Colorado Avalanche face a pivotal summer following their early playoff exit after losing to the Dallas Stars. With limited salary cap space of $8.7MM and 18 players already signed, their focus will be on navigating free agency and potential trades. The team is unlikely to retain several players, including Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgren, and Joel Kiviranta, while aiming to fill gaps in their roster, particularly for a second-line center. The Avalanche are also considering the futures of Jonathan Drouin, Jimmy Vesey, and Erik Johnson, each with unique circumstances affecting their contracts.

By the Numbers
  • The Avalanche have $8.7MM in salary cap space heading into the summer.
  • Brock Nelson had 6 goals and 13 points in 19 games, with 4 assists in 7 playoff matches.
Yes, But

The team faces challenges re-signing key players due to their financial constraints, which may lead them to take risks in free agency. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Josh Manson's health complicates their decision-making process regarding the defense.

State of Play
  • The Avalanche are exploring trade options for a second-line center due to a limited free-agent market.
  • Retaining players such as Drouin and Vesey is uncertain, given their individual career trajectories and contract expectations.
What's Next

The Avalanche are likely to pursue trades to address center deficiencies while potentially re-signing lower-cost options like Drouin. Monitoring the health of key players like Josh Manson will also impact their strategies moving forward.

Bottom Line

As the Avalanche gear up for re-tooling, balancing their financial constraints with player retention and acquisition strategies will be crucial for building a competitive roster for the upcoming season.