Avalanche Linked To Swedish League Star; Scout Chimes In

On Friday, Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland was asked if they’ll continue to pursue NCAA free agents or European free agents to add to their system.

He didn’t waste any time responding.

“Always,” MacFarland said.

Right now, it looks like they’re in pursuit of one of the top players in the Swedish Hockey League.

Expressen over in Sweden reports that the Avalanche are one of the teams interested in signing Marcus Sylvegård for next season. The 24 (soon to be 25) year old winger is one of the top scorers in the SHL, putting up 41 points in 50 games, which leads his Växjö Lakers HC team. The Florida Panthers are currently believed to be the leader of the pack, but both the Avalanche and Calgary Flames have shown interest.

🚨 FIRST GOAL OF 2023/24!

Marcus Sylvegård scores the first goal of the season to put the @VLHlive 1-0 over @PelicansFi ! 😍

How many more goals will be scored this season? 🤔#ChampionsGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/GaHCeKs8AC

— Champions Hockey League (@championshockey) August 31, 2023

I don’t know much about the winger, so I reached out to a scout in Sweden for more information on what type of player the right-shot Sylvegård is.

“I think he is worth a shot,” the scout told me. “There has always been concerns about his skating and I still think it is a concern, but how much of a concern? As a player, he is a shoot-first style of power forward. Decent size, strong on the puck, so I think he can be a player you can put in your fourth line and he does the job. Been developing nice year-to-year for a time now.”

The Avalanche will be in need of cheap, young players to play in the NHL next year, as they’ll be tight to the salary cap. Nikolai Kovalenko and Sam Malinski are expected to fill roles on entry-level deals next season, but the organization will need more players they can potentially slide into the lineup that will make under a million.

The problem with additions like this is that they’re far from a guarantee.

“The NHL is tough,” the scout said, before noting that they liked Emil Bemström a bit more and he’s had a to tough time finding a role in the league.

Sylvegård says that he’s still focused on the SHL playoffs, and then he’ll make a decision on the NHL, but it’s something he wants to pursue.

“It is a huge dream,” he says.

We’ll continue following this, as it’s never too early to look ahead to next season and what the lineup might be for the Avalanche.

We know Chris MacFarland is already thinking about it.