2023 Offseason Outlook for the Colorado Avalanche

It’s been a tough stretch for the 2021-22 Stanley Cup Champions. After losing their captain for

the entire season as defending champs, news came that he would not appear for the playoffs.

And after an impressive division winning season, more disappointment emerged after a hard

fought seven game series loss to the upstart Seattle Kraken. And unfortunately things will not be

getting easier for the Avs heading into the offseason. There are still many questions surrounding

the quick departure of Valeri Nichushkin and his status going forward into year two of his seven

year contract. Along with the status of captain Gabriel Landeksog, a vital core piece to what

could still be a team built to be a dynasty.

On May 9th, the news broke that Landeskog is going to undergo a cartilage replacement

surgery. An uncommon procedure that is clearly showing Landeskog is willing to do anything to

keep his career alive. Although it will be very challenging for the Avs to compete for another

Stanley Cup next year without their captain, this news does bring hope for the future, along with

flexibility for key changes this offseason.

Avalanche GM Chris McFaraland has been dealt a tough hand in taking over for Joe

Sakic. Not only is the pressure to win at an all time high, but so many unforeseen circumstances

have stunted the Avs roster this past season and now going into this upcoming season. With

limited cap space and draft capital heading into the offseason this could be a make it or break it

time for the second year GM. Knowing Landeskog is out all of next year does free up 7 million in

cap space to add key top six forwards. The major areas of weakness this season and playoffs

for the Avs was second line and depth scoring. Unfortunately JT Compher and Alex Newhook

did not do enough to fill that role this year. Adding a strong second line center to make up for

Kadri’s absence is paramount, as well as adding more power forwards to the team. The Avs

have many unrestricted free agents and a few restricted free agents this offseason.

UFA RFA

JT Compher Alex Newhook

Lars Eller Dennis Malgin

Evan Rodrigues Bo Byram

Andrew Cogliano

Darren Helm

Matt Nieto

Eric Johnson

Jack Johnson

Chris McFarland has many tough decisions to make when it comes to this list. It might

be easy to assume Helm and Cogliano will retire due to the injuries they faced last year after already long careers. JT Compher is an obvious choice to resign, as long as he can fit back into his previous role as a third line center. His production last season shouldn’t garner much of a payday on the open market. Evan Rodrigues was a good fit with the Avs last season, I think it is likely both sides come to terms on a two to three year deal as long as the cap hit isn't above 5million. Lars Eller also slowly developed into a good fit with Avs, and I could see him being brought back on a short term deal to solidify the bottom 6. But if Eller and Rodrigues both return it makes it unlikely Matt Nieto will. He is a solid fourth liner and penalty killer, but he could demand more than the Avs are willing to pay on the open market. Now comes the two aging defenseman. I believe it is more likely Jack Johnson returns on a one year vet minimum contract

over Eric. Although it will be hard to see EJ playing anywhere else (he could retire), his injuries

and declined play this year makes it hard on McFarland to bring him back. Be easy to assume Helm and Cogliano will retire due to the injuries they faced last year after already long careers. JT Compher is an obvious choice to resign, as long as he can fit back into his previous role as a third line center. His production last season shouldn’t garner much of a payday on the open market. Evan Rodrigues was a good fit with the Avs last season, I think it is

likely both sides come to terms on a two to three year deal as long as the cap hit isn't above 5

million. Lars Eller also slowly developed into a good fit with Avs, and I could see him being

brought back on a short term deal to solidify the bottom 6. But if Eller and Rodrigues both return

it makes it unlikely Matt Nieto will. He is a solid fourth liner and penalty killer, but he could

demand more than the Avs are willing to pay on the open market. Now comes the two aging

defenseman. I believe it is more likely Jack Johnson returns on a one year vet minimum contract

over Eric. Although it will be hard to see EJ playing anywhere else (he could retire), his injuries

and declined play this year makes it hard on McFarland to bring him back.

Restricted free agents are a little more complicated. Dennis Malgin and Alex Newhook

have both shown flashes, but all have been disappointments. In the playoffs they produced

nothing for the Avs. I could see them moving off of one or both thai offseason and if they are

back it’ll be for short term low cap deals. Bo Byram on the other hand is a no brainer to bring

back. He struggled at times during the Seattle series but so did Makar. When on the ice he is

usually an elite force on both ends of the ice and it is important for the Avs to lock him up for

four years at the minimum. He shouldn't demand over 7 million per year due to his injury history,

which could help the Avs cap situation in the long run. The Avs just need to maneuver one more

year under tight salary cap restraints and in 2024 the salary cap is projected to jump up

exponentially due to the recent TV deals the NHL has signed.

The Avs should have their eyes on many free agents this offseason. I believe the two

most likely to fill the second line center position (barring any trades) would be former Av Ryan

O’Reilly and Sean Monahan. Both bring size and skill as two way players and can add a much

needed presence down the middle of the Avs lineup behind Mackinnon. Monahan should be

more affordable then O’Reilly, but he is more of a risk. Either way if the Avs don’t make a trade

to fill the role one of these players needs to be added. Jonathan Druin is another interesting

name to consider adding to the Avs top six forwards. He was the number three pick behind

Mackinnon in 2013 and a former teammate of his. If Nichushkin is good to go next season the

addition of Druin could solidify the top six winger group. There are many other names the Avs

could add when it comes to depth and replacing the physicality of Landeskog.

The good news is Landeskog is doing whatever it takes to be able to play at a high level in the NHL again. If the surgery is a success and he returns for the 2024 season the Avs will be in prime position to add to the trophy room. But whichever way Chris McFarland decides to move this offseason expect many new faces on the Avs when they start their next campaign. When Nathan Mackinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Raantanan make up a team's core, there is no excuse for being eliminated in the first round. Expect the Avs to regroup and come out with a

vengeance next year.