1. Make Some Upgrades
The Colorado Avalanche are in a really good spot this offseason. As I mentioned earlier, they aren’t desperate for cap space. And the Avalanche don’t have many holes to fill in. This means they can splurge on someone if they want.
If the Avalanche splurge on something this offseason, it will probably be either a goaltender or a top-six forward. Most likely the latter. Here are some options the Avalanche could look at.
Forwards
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
The big name on the free agent market is Taylor Hall. It’s worth noting the Avalanche were interested in him before the Arizona Coyotes traded for him.
Hall’s a fairly polarizing player because of his lack of postseason success, but he’d make a lot of sense for the Avalanche. He wouldn’t have to be “the guy” in Colorado. Hall would bolster Colorado’s second forward line, giving them one of the best top six forward groups in the NHL. Among free agent options, Tyler Toffoli would make sense as well. So would Mike Hoffman.
As far as trade targets, it’s hard to tell who will be available, but the Avalanche will certainly have options there. A lot of teams are right up against the cap ceiling, so there will be good players available.
Goaltenders
It makes zero sense for the Colorado Avalanche to add a goaltender unless they’re a clear upgrade over Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz. However, while Grubauer and Francouz are both quite capable, the Avalanche lack a true number one goalie and there will be some available this offseason.
Darcy Kuemper is the biggest name on the trade market. It would take a lot to get him, but the Avalanche saw first hand this postseason just how great he can be. He has two years left on his deal at $4.5 million annually.
Robin Lehner is the best free agent option. He’ll likely command a long-term deal, as he’s had to live with one-year deals the past two seasons. Lehner deserves a long-term deal and it wouldn’t completely surprise me if the Avalanche are the team who gives it to him.
Anton Khudobin would be an upgrade as a tandem goalie, but he’s not a true number one goalie. The same could be said for Cam Talbot. One interesting name the Avalanche have been linked to is Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins.