Eight UFA Forwards That Could Make Sense For The Avalanche
If you’ve come here looking for a list of top six forwards the Colorado Avalanche can go out and buy this summer, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Outside of potentially re-signing Jonathan Drouin on or before July 1, I wouldn’t expect any big splashes from the Avalanche. They really just don’t have the money to go out there and bring in a big name. And if we’re being honest, this is probably not the free agent class to do that.
If you’ve come here looking for a list of top six forwards the Colorado Avalanche can go out and buy this summer, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Outside of potentially re-signing Jonathan Drouin on or before July 1, I wouldn’t expect any big splashes from the Avalanche. They really just don’t have the money to go out there and bring in a big name. And if we’re being honest, this is probably not the free agent class to do that.
While it doesn’t look too bad at the top right now, I’d say there’s a good chance the Panthers re-sign Sam Reinhart, taking him off the market. Carolina is trying to get Jake Guentzel locked down, and I just have a hard time seeing Steven Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay. Without those three, an already poor free agent class gets even worse.
Where the Avalanche are likely to spend their time shopping is in the bargain bin. With 66% of their postseason bottom six heading towards unrestricted free agent, change is expected. Colorado could still bring back a few of them, but it’s always a good idea to bring in some fresh blood. Here’s a few that make sense for Colorado to talk to this summer, and let me warn you ahead of time – this is not the most exciting list of players.
Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson is different from most of the other options on here because, when healthy, he’s a top six forward. He just wasn’t healthy at all last year, playing in just 18 games.
If he’s interested, he’s the type of guy the Avalanche could talk into taking a one-year deal, selling him on the idea of, staying healthy, playing with some good players, and hitting the market again next year. He’s not a big guy, and there’s no guarantee of health, but his speed would fit in nicely in Colorado. Seeing as how he still put up 15 points in 18 games, teams could always offer him more than what Colorado could, but the Avalanche would be selling him on the idea of making more money in the long run if he bets on himself.
Jason Zucker
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