The NHL offseason is officially here after the Pittsburgh Penguins knocked off the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday. The next big event on the calendar is the NHL draft on June 24 and the 25th, with free agency starting on July 1st. The Colorado Avalanche will be looking to upgrade their team.
The Avalanche missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. Colorado has two restricted free agents they must sign. Those are Tyson Barrie and Nathan MacKinnon. Barrie is Colorado’s best offensive defenseman. He plays a large role on the power play. Barrie sets up the power play, playing the point position. When the Avalanche are at full strength, he can check and block shots. Barrie has a total of 40 goals and 113 assists for 153 points in his young career. Colorado can’t afford to let him sign with another team. He is much too valuable to them.
Nathan MacKinnon is one of Colorado’s top young players. He is 20 years old and isn’t even in the prime of his career. MacKinnon has 59 goals and 94 assists for 153 points. Colorado should offer him a long-term contract because his game will only improve.
After Colorado signs both of these players, they will turn their attention to free agency. Colorado could target a few more forwards. These could include Radim Vrbata, David Backes, and Andrew Ladd.
The Colorado Avalanche are familiar with Radim Vrbata. He played for Colorado for two seasons, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Vrbata could aid Colorado in becoming better offensively. He may not play on the power play, but he can score on even strength situations and finds his teammates on the open ice.
David Backes is the St. Louis Blues’ captain. He may not be available for Colorado because St. Louis will want to keep him. If he happens to be on the open market, Colorado should make a deal with him. Backes is a fast skater and will contribute on the power play as well as the power play kill. The problem could be money. He might want $5 to $6 million a year which could be too expensive for the Avalanche. If his salary is reasonable at $3 to $4 million, Colorado should get a contract done with him.
The other forward Colorado could take a look at is Andrew Ladd. Colorado knows how Ladd plays since he suited up for two teams in their division, the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks. Ladd is a respectable forward who would help Colorado with his speed. He can score and skate around defensemen.
These are just a few of the free agent forwards who could be available in free agency. Colorado will need to strengthen their team. On July 1st, Colorado will have many options to make the team better. It will be up to General Manager Joe Sakic to make that happen.
What forwards should Colorado go after in free agency?
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