When the Colorado Avalanche traded for Nick Blankenburg at this year’s NHL trade deadline, it was evident the deal was a depth move.
The Avs surrendered a fifth-round pick to get 12 regular-season games out of Blankenburg. To be fair, the move was a savvy one, considering that the club lost Cale Makar towards the end of the regular season. So, the depth was certainly crucial at that point.
In the postseason, Blankenburg appeared in five games, scoring one goal. That small sample size would merit the Avalanche bringing back the 28-year-old. And considering his league-minimum cap hit, it would make sense for Colorado to bring back Blankenburg.
Unfortunately, the undrafted blueliner could fall prey to the Avalanche’s impending cap crunch. The Avs have about $3 million cap space, and, well, the club will likely want to keep Brett Kulak, potentially bring back Brent Burns, and re-sign Jack Drury and Joel Kiviranta.
All of that is not going to happen with $3 million in cap space.
That’s why Blankenburg, as good a depth defense option as he is, won’t likely be back next season.
There is a scenario in which Avalanche re-sign Blankenburg
While I wouldn’t bet on Blankenburg returning, there could be one scenario in which he does return to Colorado next season.
Let’s assume for a minute that the Avalanche re-sign Kulak, but don’t bring back Burns. In that situation, the Avalanche will need another blueliner to round out the top six. That situation could open up the door for Blankenburg to return.
While Blankenburg is more suited as a seventh defenseman, the Avalanche could certainly do a lot worse in bringing him back as a bottom-pairing option.
For one thing, the former Nashville Predator can play both sides. That’s highly useful as injuries invariably become an issue throughout the season. While he doesn’t provide a massive physical presence, Colorado does have plenty of that in Josh Manson, Devon Toews, and Kulak.
Ultimately, Joe Sakic will be looking to bring in someone else on the blueline, even if they keep Blankenburg. But if cap space gets tight, the likelihood of Blankenburg coming back will become increasingly low.
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