Avalanche should consider bringing back familiar face on PTO

The Colorado Avalanche’s roster looks pretty much set at this point. But there could still be room for another solid depth addition.

That’s why the club should consider bringing back a familiar face.

That face is defenseman Nick Blankenburg.

The 28-year-old remains unsigned at this point in the summer. Likely, he’s waiting for a full-time NHL deal somewhere. But given how training camp is right around the corner, Blankenburg and the Avalanche should consider teaming up again, even if it’s on a Professional Tryout deal (PTO).

Colorado acquired Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators at last year’s NHL trade deadline to deliver some depth. He did just that. He even scored one heck of a goal against the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of their second-round series last spring.

Considering how well he fit in overall in the Avalanche’s lineup, the club would do well to keep him around, even if it’s as a seventh or eighth defenseman.

There’s no reason to think that Colorado couldn’t sign him to a league-minimum deal, especially when considering that he can play both sides of the ice and delivers a gritty edge, even for a player who doesn’t tower over everyone else.

Avalanche could use as much depth as possible this season

Overall, the Avalanche could use as much depth as possible this season. The club has a veteran blue line, one that has seen players like Josh Manson miss chunks of games at times.

Plus, you have to think that the 84-game schedule could pose a bit of an unusual challenge for every team in the league. So, having a couple of extra bodies around wouldn’t hurt.

We’ve also seen Jared Bednar roll out 11-forward, 7-defensemen configurations in the past. As such, having Blankenburg around could help make such lineup combinations possible. The Avs have Noah Juulsen slotted as their seventh defenseman. But as I constantly drill down on, you can never have too much depth.

The biggest question, however, would be how to fit Blankenburg’s potential contract under the cap. The Avalanche have about $400K in cap space. Suffice it to say, that’s not nearly enough to make a deal work.

But there might be some camp cuts allowing the Avalanche to keep Blankenburg around for most of the season.

Realistically, the undrafted blueliner wouldn’t have a regular role with everyone healthy. But there will be a need for nights off and, unfortunately, injuries should play a factor throughout the season. That’s why having a little extra insurance in a bit of a Swiss Army knife like Blankenburg makes a ton of sense for the Avalanche.

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