Despite possessing limited cap space and existing in the daunting shadow of Cale Makar's impending contract extension, the Avs have had quite a busy offseason. The team is in win-now-mode, and, despite recouping some draft capital via both the Valeri Nichuskin and Ross Colton and Jack Drury trades, President of Hockey Operations and interim General Manager Joe Sakic has again placed an emphasis on stabilizing the bottom-six with versatility and depth; in addition, he has brought in multiple hopefully-complimentary pieces that should help the Avs contend for the 2027 Stanley Cup after the team failed to advance to past the Western Conference Finals last season after an utter collapse against the much-loathed Vegas Golden Knights in four games. While the contributions of Colton and Nichushkin — and the intangible adds that Drury brought to the Avs' face-off dot and special teams — will be missed, there are plenty of recent acquisitions (many of whom are former first-round picks) who are ready to step up and take their respective places.
Adam Beckman
While Beckman hasn't played an NHL game since the 2023-24 season, he has accrued a rather successful tenure as an AHL player. This may not translate into much — if any — playing time for the Avs, but he will add some experience and depth that the Eagles will be happy to have — and that the Avs will happily lean on should injuries begin to mount during the 2026-27 season. In 68 games with the Bridgeport Islanders last year, Beckman eclipsed the 30-goal mark for the first time since his WHL days. He's only 25 years old; he could still prove to be a valuable option for the Avs, although it's not especially likely he'll gain playing time, as there are many other players looking for limited slots in the Avs' bottom six.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born May 10, 2001 (25 years old) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Left-shot winger
- 6'2" | 192lbs
Draft:
2019 NHL Entry Draft
Third Round, 75th Overall by the Minnesota Wild
NHL Debut:
October 30, 2021 with the Minnesota Wild against the Colorado Avalanche
Teams:
WHL
Spokane Chiefs (2017-18 -- 2020-21)
AHL
Iowa Wild (2020-21 -- 2023-24)
Utica Comets (2024-25)
Bridgeport Islanders (2024-25 -- 2025-26)
NHL
Minnesota Wild (2021-22 -- 2023-24)
Career NHL Stats:
0G, 3A, 3P in 23GP
Colorado Acquisition:
July 1, 2026: Signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Hunter Miska*
Bridgeport Islanders (2024-25)
*was once tied to the Avs and reportedly just signed a deal with the Colorado Eagles
Projected Role:
He may dress for the Avs in a few games, but he will likely spend most of the 2026-27 season with the Colorado Eagles.
Fun Fact:
During much of both of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, in which time Beckman played for the AHL's Iowa Wild, he played on the same line as one of the most beloved depth players in Avs' history, Cody McLeod.
Domenick Fensore
At just 24 years old, Fensore has plenty of time to continue to develop, but the clock is definitely ticking on someone who has only played three games on an NHL sheet of ice. As a defenseman, there's not much roster leeway if the Avs' squad remains healthy, but apart from Keaton Middleton and the also-recently-signed Noah Juulsen, the Avs may be the weakest, in terms of their depth chart, on defense. The stars could align for Fensore, although it's not overly likely he'll dress in any games for the Avs in the 2026-27 season.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born September 7, 2001 (24 years old) in Thornwood, NY
- Left-shot defenseman
- 5'9" | 174lbs
Draft:
2019 NHL Entry Draft
Third Round, 90th Overall by the Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Debut:
April 16, 2025 with the Carolina Hurricanes against the Montréal Canadiens
Teams:
NCAA
Boston University (2019-20 -- 2022-23)
ECHL
Norfolk Admirals (2023-24)
AHL
Chicago Wolves (2023-24 -- 2025-26)
NHL
Carolina Hurricanes (2024-25 -- 2025-26)
Career NHL Stats:
0G, 0A, 0P in 3GP
Colorado Acquisition:
July 1, 2026: Signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Brent Burns
Carolina Hurricanes (2024-25)
Projected Role:
Will likely spend the year with the Colorado Eagles.
Fun Fact:
Verbally committed to Quinnipiac University at just 14 years old; he ultimately spent four years across town at Boston University.
Vinnie Hinostroza
Vinnie Hinostroza, a veteran journeyman who recently earned consistent NHL playing time after a number of years kicking around the AHL, will be eager to crack the Avs' roster coming out of training camp. If he does dress for the Avs at any point, it will serve as his eighth NHL club. Despite some injuries and some reduced responsibilities, "Cousin Vinnie" still has NHL-caliber skills, and he will be a fringe player ready to step in if injuries or underperformance necessitate a call-up to Denver.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born April 3, 1994 (32 years old) in Melrose Park, IL
- Right-shot winger
- 5'10" | 176lbs
Draft:
2012 NHL Entry Draft
Sixth Round, 169th Overall by the Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Debut:
October 17, 2015 with the Chicago Blackhawks against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Teams:
NCAA
Notre Dame (2013-14 -- 2014-15)
AHL
Rockford IceHogs (2014-15 -- 2017-18)
Rochester Americans (2022-23)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2023-24)
Milwaukee Admirals (2024-25)
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks (2015-16 -- 2017-18; 2020-2021)
Arizona Coyotes (2018-19 -- 2019-20)
Florida Panthers (2020-21; 2025-26)
Buffalo Sabres (2021-22 -- 2022-23)
Pittsburgh Penguins (2023-24)
Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Minnesota Wild (2024-25 -- 2025-26)
Career NHL Stats:
65G, 114A, 179P in 477GP
Colorado Acquisition:
July 1, 2026: Signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Hunter Miska
Arizona Coyotes (2018-19)
Christian Wolanin
Buffalo Sabres (2021-22)
Zachary L'Heureux
Milwaukee Admirals & Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Fedor Svechkov
Milwaukee Admirals & Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Projected Role:
He will likely begin the season in the AHL, but he could realistically play 25-30 games for the Avs throughout the course of the season.
Fun Fact:
On October 19, 2024, Hinostroza (1), L'Heureux (1), and former Avs defenseman Nick Blankenburg (2) potted four of the Milwaukee Admirals' five total goals in a 5-2 win against the Rockford IceHogs.
Noah Juulsen
Of all the Avs' depth adds, not named Vinnie Hinostroza, Noah Juulsen has the most NHL experience. Accordingly, he is the most likely, especially among the team's defensemen, to spend some considerable time at the NHL level next season. He's never been a big point producer, but he plays a sensible and smart, defense-first style of hockey; if either Brett Kulak or Josh Manson finds themselves out of the lineup long-term, look for Juulsen to log 10-15 minutes a night as a rearguard for the Avs.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born April 2, 1997 (29 years old) in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
- Right-shot defenseman
- 6'2" | 201lbs
Draft:
2015 NHL Entry Draft
First Round, 26th Overall by the Montréal Canadiens
NHL Debut:
February 22, 2018 with the Montréal Canadiens against the New York Rangers
Teams:
WHL
Everett Silvertips (2012-13 -- 2016-17)
AHL
St. John's IceCaps (2016-17)
Laval Rocket (2017-18 -- 2019-20)
Syracuse Crunch (2020-21)
Abbotsford Canucks (2021-22 -- 2022-23)
NHL
Montréal Canadiens (2017-18 -- 2018-19)
Florida Panthers (2020-21)
Vancouver Canucks (2021-22 -- 2024-25)
Philadelphia Flyers (2025-26)
Career NHL Stats:
4G, 23A, 27P in 209GP
Colorado Acquisition:
July 1, 2026: Signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Artturi Lehkonen
Montréal Canadiens (2017-18 -- 2018-19)
Tristen Nielsen
Abbotsford Canucks (2021-22 -- 2022-23)
Christian Wolanin
Abbotsford Canucks and Vancouver Canucks (2022-23)
Projected Role:
Juulsen will likely be the Avs' seventh defenseman, which means he will spend parts of the season in the AHL, in the Avs' press box, and in a bottom-pair rearguard role.
Fun Fact:
While both Juulsen and Brett Kulak were in the Montréal Canadiens' system at the same time, they never played together; in fact, after Juulsen was injured with a facial fracture, it was Kulak who took over for him in the lineup.
Additionally, Lehkonen recorded the primary assist on Juulsen's first career NHL goal.
Zachary L'Heureux
One thing the Avs have been missing from their lineup in recent years is a forward who plays with grit. While Nazem Kadri was known for his sometimes questionable play, he was so determined to prove the Maple Leafs' fans and organization wrong that he rewrote his own narrative as a dirty player and, instead, just played a hard-nosed, puck-battling kind of hockey. Not since Cody McLeod — who, ironically enough, was dealt from Colorado to Nashville — have the Avs had a forward whose game is so tied to physicality as they do now that L'Heureux has made his way to Colorado via Nashville. The concern, accordingly, becomes this: can L'Heureux stay out of the box and stay off the suspension list long enough to really make a home for himself in Colorado? One can hope, but L'Heureux's track record is questionable, at best.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born May 15, 2003 (23 years old) in Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Left-shot forward
- 5'11" | 196lbs
Draft:
2021 NHL Entry Draft
First Round, 27th Overall by the Nashville Predators
NHL Debut:
October 22, 2024 with the Nashville Predators against the Boston Bruins
Teams:
QMJHL
Moncton Wildcats (2019-20)
Halifax Mooseheads (2020-21 -- 2022-23)
AHL
Milwaukee Admirals (2023-24 -- 2025-26)
NHL
Nashville Predators (2024-25 -- 2025-26)
Career NHL Stats:
9G, 11A, 20P in 87GP
Colorado Acquisition:
June 24, 2026: Traded, alongside Fedor Svechkov, to the Colorado Avalanche from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Chase Bradley, Jack Drury, and a 2029 third-round pick
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Vinnie Hinostroza
Milwaukee Admirals & Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Fedor Svechkov
Milwaukee Admirals & Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Scott Wedgewood
Nashville Predators (2024-25)
Projected Role:
L'Heureux will almost certainly start the 2026-27 season on the Avs' bottom line. The front office will give him every opportunity to illustrate that they were right to trade for him. He will likely find himself a scratch on occasion, however, so other fringe players, namely Gavin Brindley, can also find playing time.
Fun Fact:
L'Heureux, in four seasons as a QMJHLer, missed 34 games as a result of suspensions.
Fabian Lysell
Bruins fans have long lamented the apparent misuse of Fabian Lysell and have bemoaned that he only dressed in 12 total games as a Bruin. Now, as a member of the Avalanche, Lysell could easily play strongly enough to force his way into a roster spot, even if only temporarily, Ã la 2025-26 Gavin Brindley. He will certainly be motivated enough to do so.
Background, Bio, and Birth:
- Born January 19, 2003 (23 years old) in Göteborg, Sweden
- Right-shot winger
- 5'11" | 185lbs
Draft:
2021 NHL Entry Draft
First Round, 21st Overall by the Boston Bruins
NHL Debut:
December 28, 2024 with the Boston Bruins against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Teams:
SweHL
Lulea HF (2020-21)
WHL
Vancouver Giants (2021-22)
AHL
Providence Bruins (2022-23 -- 2025-26)
NHL
Boston Bruins (2024-25)
Career NHL Stats:
1G, 2A, 3P in 12GP
Colorado Acquisition:
June 27, 2026, trade with Boston Bruins for Ivan Ivan.
Prior Ties to Current Avs Players:
Georgii Merkulov
Providence Bruins (2022-23 -- 2025-26)
Boston Bruins (2024-25)
Christian Wolanin
Providence Bruins (2025-26)
Projected Role:
He is projected to begin the season in the AHL, but a strong training camp could feasibly see him spend the season as a cusp player who gets a few dozen games in the NHL.
Fun Fact:
Four of the top eight scorers on the 2025-26 Providence Bruins were players tied to the Avs, and three of those four just signed with the team: Lysell was sixth (42 points in 57 games), and the other three were (1) Georgii Merkulov (61 points in 70 games), (2) former Av Riley Tufte (56 points in 64 games), and (8) Christian Wolanin (31 points in 53 games).
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