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Colorado Avalanche: 5 “Under the Radar” Free Agents They Could Target

By Ross Kleppe

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: General manager Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche listens to president of hockey operations Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks on the draft floor during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: General manager Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche listens to president of hockey operations Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks on the draft floor during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – MAY 23: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates the series win after Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Colorado Avalanche have critical offseason decisions to make in 2018, and they may look toward free agents to answer some of those questions. 

July 1st is always a fun time for any hockey fan. It’s a chance for teams to add new, experienced faces to the squad.

This particular offseason, there may be some big names and even bigger contracts handed out. Names like John Carlson, David Perron, James Van Riemsdyk and James Neal all look to be available to come that wondrous first day in July, and there is always one big fish. This year it’s John Tavares. Teams looking to add that big fish franchise player like Tavares are going to need a bigger boat (I’m so sorry).

As this pertains to the Avalanche, they took a big step forward this year. But that’s just it; it was one step. This rebuild (retool, whatever you want to call it) is going to take more than one year. Sure the Avs made the playoffs, but they certainly didn’t cruise in and a lot of teams will be hot on their heels next season. Maintaining the course for this team will be key.

I’m all for going after John Tavares. Franchise centers like him don’t come around often and the Avalanche have the cap space to make him a decent pitch. Sakic really should just pay the guy whatever he wants, but that’s another discussion for another time.

I want to take a look at some of the more “under the radar” free agents that may help this team build on the success from last season.

It’s important to note this is still a young team and core players should certainly stay young. I’m not convinced anyone in this UFA class outside of Tavares is going to immediately make the Avs a playoff contender.

Still, veterans have a place on any team. Quality veteran depth is critical to playoff teams, so here are a few. To pick these free agents, I looked at their advanced numbers on public.tableau.com on a table with data compiled by Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine on Twitter). Corey is a writer for The Athletic Chicago. This chart measures shot generation, offensive zone entries, defensive zone exits, and defensive zone entry break-ups. That last one is specifically for defenseman.

Let’s take a look at some of these “under the radar” free agents.

*Disclaimer* – UFA’s tend to get more money than their actual worth in the free agent market. That’s just how it goes. I don’t mind if the Avs sign some of these players, or even if they give them a higher salary. My hope is that any of these signed UFA’s aren’t on long term deals (*see Carl Soderberg contract*).

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