Colorado Avalanche: Marcus Johansson a Speedy and Versatile Free Agency Forward

The Colorado Avalanche might be looking for speedy, versatile forwards in free agency. If so, Marcus Johansson fits the bill.

The Colorado Avalanche, like every team in the NHL, is looking to augment their roster in free agency. The Avs almost never stand pat on Free Agency day.

And there’s very little indication that they’ll do so this offseason. GM Joe Sakic has said openly that the team have targeted players in mind, and they’re going to be “aggressive” about talking to them if they become available.

There certainly are some big names coming on the scene, notably Artemi Panarin and Erik Karlsson with a healthy side of Matt Duchene whom most Avs fans won’t consider.

However, when you look at some of the other options the Avs might consider, Marcus Johansson‘s name comes up. Coming off a (to them) heartbreaking Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals loss with the Boston Bruins, Johansson has got to start setting his sights on the future.

Johansson was a first-round draft pick by the Washington Capitals in 2009. He spent seven sears with the Caps before they traded him to the New Jersey Devils to relieve cap space.

New Jersey traded Johansson to Boston at the trade deadline this last season. Of course, he states he’d like to stay with the Bruins starting next year, but it’s not like he has any great loyalty to that particular team.

In other words, he could potentially hit free agency.

Marcus Johansson

Position: Left wing
Age: 28
Size: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
Previous Contract: 3-year standard, $4.5 million AAV
2018-19 Statistics: 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 58 regular-season games; 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 22 playoff games

So, Marcus Johansson is a half-point a game kind of player. That’s true in the regular season — and in the postseason, roughly. Through his nine-year career, Johansson has played in 94 postseason games, recording 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in that time.

Those aren’t the greatest of stats, but they’re not exactly shabby. Colorado needs some secondary scoring, and Johansson could be the kind of player to bring it.

Marcus is scouted as being the kind of player the Avs favor in that he’s a speedy playmaker with two-way ability. What’s more, he’s a converted center, so he plays well at both forward positions.

Marcus Johansson and the Colorado Avalanche

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I’m willing to bet Marcus Johansson is one of the players the Colorado Avalanche have on their list for contacting if he becomes available. He would be a good fit for the team.

In free agency, the problem for teams is money and term. Generally speaking, unrestricted free agency is players’ chance to make some of the best money of their career. However, to get a player they want for the next five years or so, teams usually have to shell out big bucks for longer than they want.

The signings this offseason have already been all over the map, with players like Jordan Eberle in New York taking a home town discount and others like Jeff Skinner enjoying a hefty raise.

Johansson was making $4.5 with his last contract. I imagine he’ll want a raise, and the Avs can afford to pay for one. But the term is the problem — how much of the team’s future cap space should they beggar to a player who topped out at 58 points three years ago?

Well, those are questions for the big guy in the big chair (Sakic) to answer. I think Marcus Johansson would be a good fit for the Colorado Avalanche.

Free Agency Frenzy officially starts on July 1, though teams can start talking to pending UFAs right after the draft, starting at 12:01 am ET on June 23.