The Colorado Avalanche have a pretty-much set roster right now. Though they traded away the likes of Valeri Nichushkin and Jack Drury, they seem happy with what they have to this point.
Still, it’s somewhat interesting to see what former players remain as free agents in early-August. Some are recent, while some might make some people go, “He was an Avalanche player at some point?”
We’ll start off relatively fresh.
Jonathan Drouin
Jonathan Drouin was a solid addition to the team in 2023. He signed a one-year deal and then re-signed with the team the following offseason, officially finishing his tenure with 122 games played, and having gotten 30 goals and 63 assists.
As I’ve previously written in a recent article, Drouin left the Avalanche in free agency after a solid second season with the club. He deserved a pay raise and the Avalanche weren’t able to give it to him. He signed a two-year deal with the New York Islanders but was traded in the second year to the St. Louis Blues, who recently bought out his contract.
He worked out well in Colorado, specifically alongside Nathan MacKinnon, in his first year with Colorado but the lack of a good playoff career might be a big reason why he remains unsigned.
He remains a free agent after struggling last year as he played in 64 games and had just four goals and 20 assists. It remains to be seen if he’ll sign anywhere this offseason.
Brandon Saad
Brandon Saad has been able to carve out a long NHL career since becoming a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011.
Saad, 33, played for the Avalanche during the 2020-21 season. He appeared in 44 games and had 15 goals on 68 shots and nine assists. He was primarily on the second line, and helped the team with secondary scoring.
Saad could possibly join a contender this offseason for another chance at a Stanley Cup. He could still have a little more juice left for one last shot.
Ivan Prosvetov
Ivan Prosvetov last appeared in an NHL game in 2023-24 with the Avalanche. He played in 11 games, starting eight. He had four wins and three losses officially.
Overall, his NHL stats aren’t great. Having a save percentage of under .900, as well as a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.70 is probably a big reason why he hasn’t been around the NHL for a number of years.
Prosvetov also had a losing record last season with the Flames’ AHL team, the Calgary Wranglers, at 9-12-2.
Oskar Olausson
Oskar Olausson was a first-round pick of the Avalanche in 2020. While it was towards the end of the first round, Olausson’s tenure with the Avalanche is still a disappointment.
He played in just four games for the Avalanche over two seasons, recording no goals or assists. He spent the majority of his time with the Eagles, recording 33 goals and 33 assists in 163 games.
While his presence on a roster would not hurt a team’s salary cap, his lack of production would. That is why he is currently in a lower league right now, playing for the Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
Shane Bowers
Shane Bowers was part of the Avalanche for four seasons following being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of 2017.
He only played in one NHL game for the Avs, spending the majority of his time with the Eagles. He played in 154 games and recording 27 goals and 32 assists.
He has bounced around a little bit, appearing in AHL games for the Providence Bruins, Utica Comets, and San Jose Barracuda.
Tyson Jost
Tyson Jost was drafted 10th overall by the Avalanche in 2016. He played in 321 games for the Avalanche in six NHL seasons, and had 45 goals and 58 assists. He also had 130 blocked shots and 231 hits.
Jost hasn’t had the best faceoff percentages despite being a top-10 center. His current percentage is 40.2% in 564 career games.
Jost was eventually traded as the Avs acquired Nico Sturm from the Minnesota Wild and were on their way to winning the Stanley cup.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Speaking of Stanley Cup, Avalanche fans are well aware of what Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s contributions were.
Well, primarily one.
Aube-Kubel is famously known in Colorado as the guy who dented the Stanley Cup. He did so as he was carrying it to where the team photo was going to be taken.
Aube-Kubel was claimed off of waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers and played in 67 games, recording 11 goals and 11 assists.
He has traveled a bit following his departure from the Avalanche, playing for five separate teams following the Cup win. He also played for four AHL teams after his Avs tenure.
Nick Blankenburg
Nick Blankenburg played in 12 games for the Avalanche last season, recording two goals and one assist after being acquired from the Nashville Predators.
As Nestor Quixtan said in an earlier article for MHS, Blankenburg isn’t likely to return to the Avalanche—especially now.
Blankenbug is on the smaller side, standing at 5’9” and 177 pounds, but he is still able to be a bit disruptive.
His lack of offensive production is likely a big reason for why he is still a free agent. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent who signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.
He likely has some fits across the NHL, as Editor In Leaf suggests he could be an option for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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