It is officially NHL free agency time and the Colorado Avalanche are likely not going to be making any splashy moves. The biggest move that they could make is some sort of deal with Jonathan Drouin. However, with just $11.36 million and quite a few roster spots to fill out, it doesn’t seem very likely that they will get a deal done.
Unfortunately, the Avalanche are in a cap crunch due to the Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin situations as we’ve known for quite a while already. Don’t expect anything very splashy, unless they end up trading a player or two to free up some cap space.
They also are keeping in mind that they will eventually have to sign Mikko Rantanen to a long-term contract that will eat up a good amount of money throughout the next several years. They don’t have to worry about that kicking in until 2025-26, but it prevents them from making extreme moves elsewhere.
Throughout the free agency period, we will keep track of every move the Colorado Avalanche make and where each of their free agents ends up.
Let’s get to it…
Colorado Avalanche departures
Forward Yakov Trenin signs a 4-year deal worth $3.5 million AAV with the Minnesota Wild.
Forward Brandon Duhaime signs deal with the Washington Capitals.
Defenseman Sean Walker signs with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Defenseman Jack Johnson signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Defenseman Caleb Jones signed with the Los Angeles Kings.
Colorado Avalanche signings
Avalanche re=sign Jonathan Drouin to 1-year, $2.5 million deal.
Ask and you shall receive 😏
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 1, 2024
Drou is BACK! pic.twitter.com/qZAwJKYkp8
The team announced that it has re-signed one of its own in Joel Kiviranta.
Adding to the defensive group, the Avalanche signed defenseman Calvin de Haa, formerly of the Lightning, as well as other teams.
Riley Tufte has signed with the Boston Bruins.
Avalanche signed Jacob MacDonald, who previously played for them.
Forward Chase Bradley, former 7th round pick of the Red Wings, signed.
Forward T.J. Tynan was signed.
Colorado Avalanche signed left wing Parker Kelly to an $825k AAzv deal over two seasons.
Defenseman Calle Rosen, who was with the team in 2019-20 was signed.