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Colorado Avalanche: August Free Agents Could Bolster Offense

By Daniel Henderson

Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Jiri Hudler (24) after his goal against the Boston Bruins in the third period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Jiri Hudler (24) after his goal against the Boston Bruins in the third period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Jiri Hudler:

Position: Centre     2015-16 Team(s): Calgary Flames/Florida Panthers     Goals: 10/6

Age: 32                     Games Played: 53/19                                                           Assists: 25/5

Honestly I have no clue why a team hasn’t signed Hudler yet. The fact that one of the best even strength scorers in the league remains a free agent in August is pretty incredible. Skeptics will point out that the Avalanche already have a glut of ageing veterans, so why should they sign another guy on the wrong side of 30?

First of all I’m not suggesting that the Avs sign Hudler to a 4 year deal. To give Hudler anything more than a 1 year deal would be very risky as his point total fell dramatically from 2014-15. However, whichever team ends up taking a chance on Hudler could be looking at huge dividends. He had 76 points 2 years ago! Hudler also puts up good possession statistics.

Verdict: 1 year offer

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Its easy for me to say the Avalanche should sign Hudler to a 1 year deal from my couch. If it was that simple I’d probably be a general manager, but its never that straightforward. I highly doubt Hudler wants to sign a 1 year deal and that’s probably the reason he’s still on the market. His holdout doesn’t appear to be working, but I doubt that means he’ll sign for peanuts. If the Avs make a serious push towards signing Hudler they will need to make more space. Trading John Mitchell would likely free up enough space, but whether they can move him is a different issue entirely.

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