Avalanche Offseason
Avalanche UFA Board: Finding the Right Fits on July 1 — Defense Options Available
Free agency officially begins on Tuesday and the Avalanche, among many other teams, are looking to bolster their lineup.
Even more so after trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus on Friday.
It’s been a long time since Colorado has signed a free agent to a big contract. Last year, Oliver Kylington got the biggest AAV from the Avs at $1.15 million. Two years ago, it was Wood at $2.5 million.
The year before that, Evan Rodrigues signed for $2 million.
If my memory serves correctly, you basically have to go back seven years to the last time the Avalanche signed a UFA from another team for a contract with an AAV higher than $4 million. That was Ian Cole, who signed for three years and $4.25 million.
Could this be the year that changes? Maybe. Chris MacFarland wouldn’t commit to going all in on the UFA market, as he and his staff often build via trades. But if they choose to sign a bigger name, there are options that could help.
If not, depth pieces can be signed to fill out the lineup, and those options are endless.
Here are 10 names to watch for the Avs heading into the first day of free agency tomorrow.
Read More: Chris MacFarland Ahead of Free Agency: ‘We’ll Look At Every Avenue’ to Improve Roster
Ivan Provorov, D, Age: 28
Aside from Aaron Ekblad, Provorov is likely the biggest free agent defenseman on the market. The Avs want another left-shot defenseman. We know that for sure.
But I’m still wondering what, exactly, they’re looking for. Is Samuel Girard a trade otion or is he remaining on the second pair? If he and his $5 million cap hit are moved, Provorov would be a solid UFA to round out your top three with Cale Makar and Devon Toews.
He’s coming off a six-year deal worth $6.75 million and is due for a raise. So this wouldn’t be cheap. You’d pretty much for sure have to trade Girard and maybe more to make the salary work.
Vladislav Gavrikov, D, Age: 29
There is one other defenseman who’s up there with Provorov and Ekblad and likely will be available on Tuesday.
Gavrikov, who is listed at 6’3, 220 lbs, shoots left and could be a solid addition on the blueline. Read those numbers again. And then check out this quote from Chris MacFarland yesterday.
“If you’re just looking at the obvious, to continue the left-right theme, a left shot would go a long way,” MacFarland said. “And if he was 6’3, 220 lbs and skates like the wind and pounds people, we’d love to find that. But those are unicorns.”
The height and weight thing might be a coincidence, but still funny. And worth keeping an eye on.
Gavrikov, if not an overpayment, is the best fit for the Avs.
Pius Suter, C, Age: 29
When he was with the Red Wings, Suter showed flashes of brilliance as a solid depth center. But last year his career really took off with Vancouver. And now, coming off a 21-goal, 46-point season, he’s looking to cash in.
The reason why the Avs haven’t signed any UFA’s to big-money deals since 2018 is because you often have to overpay. Would Suter accept $3.5 million? He’d almost certainly get more from someone else, especially given the lack of center options.
Colorado could offer more if the front office decides to not go as big on the blueline (which they probably will). But Suter would be an ideal third-line center.
Victor Olofsson, LW, Age: 29
Now for the lower cost depth options. The Avs need at least two third liners, and possibly three if they trade Ross Colton.
If you’re looking for someone who can play the left side on the power play and pound pucks home, then Victor Olofsson isn’t a bad option. He had 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games for the Knights last year in a limited role.
Brandon Tanev, LW, Age: 33
MacFarland said on Friday that the team would love to find more bottom six players like what they have in their fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Parker Kelly, and Jack Drury. Guys that work hard, and hound the puck.
Brandon Tanev is one of those guys, and would be a great fit. Especially given the loss of O’Connor to start the season.
Read More: Deen’s Daily: MacKinnon Has Had Enough; MacFarland Talks Coyle, Wood Trade; Marner to Vegas?!
Anthony Beauvillier, C, Age: 28
Once upon a time, Beauvillier was a potential acquisition for the Avs back when the Islanders were interested in acquiring Matt Duchene.
Now 28 years old, he’s moved around quite a bit and settled in as a depth player. Beauvillier can play third-line center, kill penalties, and pitch in offensively (last year he had 15 goals and 25 points).
This is the type of player that, if you had him in mind as a target, makes it easier to trade Charlie Coyle. You’d get him for less than Coyle’s $5.25 million.
Andrew Mangiapane, C, Age: 29
Listed as a center but usually plays the wing, Mangiapane is another guy that can give the Avs depth in the bottom six. Last year wasn’t all that great with Washington (14 goals, 14 assists in 81 games), but he’s got quite a bit of offensive upside.
Joel Armia, RW, Age: 32
Here’s a guy that I’ve written about in the past for the Avs. Armia is a great veteran and someone that would fit in with the culture of the Avalanche’s core. He’s a hard-working, checking winger that can pitch in offensively.
Brian Dumoulin, D, Age: 33
I wonder about Brian Dumoulin as a third-pair option for the Avs. He’d cost quite a bit for that role, but he’s a solid veteran defenseman with a ton of playoff experience.
Justin Brazeau, LW, Age: 27
Brazeau is a beefy player, listed at 6’5, 220 lbs. He’s also a young UFA at just 27 years old. Brazeau doesn’t kill penalties, but he had 10 goals and 10 assists in 57 games with the Bruins last year before getting traded to Minnesota. It wasn’t as good a fit for the Wild.
Deen’s Daily: Decentralized Draft is Staying; Kovalenko’s NHL Stint Ends
Former Avalanche Forward Is Heading Back to the KHL
Deen’s Daily: What Are the Avs Doing at 3C?; Sharks Add 2 Veterans
7 Trade Targets That Could Solve the Avalanche’s 3C Hole (+)
Deen’s Daily: Manson Re-Signs; Dallas Dumps Dumba — RHD Always Have Value
Avalanche UFA Board: Bottom Six Depth Options Remain on The Market
‘There’s One Big Goal Still’: Burns is Excited to Join Avs
Deen’s View: At 40, Burns Isn’t Done Yet — But Where Does He Fit on Colorado’s Blue Line? (+)
Report: Avalanche Used Charlie Coyle to Solve Their Miles Wood Problem
Deen’s Daily: Ehlers Heads East; Burns Itching For a Stanley Cup; Trades Coming?
Will you have another piece of RFAs? Obviously Hague is off the market, but guys like Byram, McTavish, Glass, and Robertson could still be had via trade or offer sheet.
The Avs don’t have their 2026 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round draft pick so an offer sheet is off the table unless they reacquire them.
Here are the AFP projected salaries for the above list: Ekblad 7×7.8M Provorov 7x7M Gavrikov 7×7.6M Suter 4x5M Olofsson 3×3.4M Tanev 2×2.1M Beauvillier 3×3.22M Mangiapane 2×3.9M Armia 2×2.5M Dumoulin 2x#.19M Brazeau 2×1.5M Not listed: Nick Perbix 2×2.7M Nate Schmidt 2x3M Nick Bjugstad 2×2.3M I would think that to get any Ekblad, Provorov, or Gavrikov would require trading both Girard and Manson. Dumoulin would be a good add for the 3rd line. I can see Perbix and Schmidt as good replacements for Manson and Girard. You might be able to get Schmidt, Perbix, and Dumoulin for the price of Girard and… Read more »
Great data on projected contract terms for all these players and suggested signings! I really like replacing G and Manson w Perbix, Schmidt, and Dumoulin, but if you sign these 3 to contracts, Avs would get screwed on value when unloading their existing 2nd pairing, unless they deal them before 10am mdt tomorrow. Sutter would be a great addition. Not sure that Avs could swing a 4 x $5 for him after he just had a contract yr breakout season.
I think at a minimum the Avs need a 3rd pair defenseman, so Middleton is the 7th d-man. I like Dumoulin. He is a good and big d-man to pair with Malinski. He played well in the playoffs with NJ and stepped up when NJ had injuries on the defense. I would then like the Avs to get Perbix to replace Manson. He is big and could pair well with Girard. He would also be about $2M cheaper than Manson which would help pay for the 3rd pair d-man. Perbix and Dumoulin would give the team more size at a… Read more »
A lot of people on here are on the dump Manson train. He helped the Avs win a cup and got rewarded with a 4 year deal. Given his age and injury history they had to have known that his contract wasn’t going to age well and here we are… It wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve been wrong but I don’t see how another team would take him without the Avs having to make a lopsided trade in favor of the other team. I’d then like to see how that goes over on this message board.. He could… Read more »
I like Manson, but he is always hurt. He has had only 1 season since 2019-2020 that he played more than 50 games and he had 50 games that season. The Avs might have to bite the bullet and retain some salary.
Manson makes more than what he’s worth at this point, he has only one year left, he’s getting old and he’s hurt a lot
I don’t disagree. I’m just saying that I think it’s going to cost the Avs to get rid of his contract. If you’re ok with biting the bullet by giving up picks/prospects or taking another team’s bad contract, then cool
It’s unfortunate because when he’s right (which admittedly isn’t often). He’s really solid. Such as in the Dallas series. I think at this juncture their best bet is to keep him & let him play out the last year of his deal.
Geez. I actually agree with you. I don’t think anyone wants to trade for Manson anyway. Who knows. He might be healthy by the time the playoffs roll around.
I think there would be plenty of takers. He’s still a top 4 D. Big, physical & a right shot. I think the issue with trading him is I think people are underestimating the hole it would leave in the D core.
Two different issues. First – a 34 year old, injury prone “D” man making $4.5M/year. Even with the cap going up, what team would be foolish enough to offer him a 3 or 4 year contract? For what – less than 50% of games played? If anything, as Josh ages, he’ll be more injury prone. Father Time is brutal on hockey players. Especially someone who plays a physical game like Manson does. Second – Yes, a hole in an already weak “D” roster. But Manson is continually hurt. What difference does it make whether he’s here or traded to another… Read more »
We more or less agree. I don’t think he’s in their plans beyond this season. But to your point, unless it’s a move to just try & get his salary off the books. If say tomorrow they signed Gavrikov. Then I think you just roll the dice that he can stay relatively healthy this year & be of use. As for his future prospects. I wouldn’t offer him a multi year deal at multiple millions of dollars either. But big right shot D still garner lots of interest. Remember EJ despite being a shell of what he was got a… Read more »
Oh, what incredible luck to still have Sam Girard. A productive, mobile, reliable player… apparently too rational for this tightly squeezed cap space. No, he absolutely must be sacrificed to overpay for a bigger, slower defenseman with fewer responsibilities behind Makar and Toews. Enter Provorov. Flawless logic. And of course, people are shocked that the Avalanche didn’t splurge on July 1st like a kid in a candy store not just once, but year after year. As if we’re talking about a team desperately trying to hit the salary floor. Spoiler: we’re not. The Avalanche wrestle with the cap ceiling… Read more »
What you are totally missing out on is Girard is very good during the regular season and then when the whistles get put away in the playoffs he is a liability who gets pushed around. It’s not just you–it is the majority of people commenting on this board who I swear only watch Avs games, very little of other teams’ games, and obviously do not watch other playoff games. The Avs were the shortest and the lightest team in the NHL last season. They are also one of the softest teams in the league. It just does not cut it… Read more »
Like most, I’m open to trading almost anyone on the Avs if it improves the team — and I realize there are no guarantees that trades will pan out as expected. What I don’t get is your slavish devotion to Manson. I read somewhere (sorry, no citation) that every D man had worse stats when paired with him. Yes, he can deliver a hit, and what a lovely fight against Benn, but his positioning was often poor and he flat out looked like he was lost on the ice at times. Perhaps as he turns 34 in Oct, he will… Read more »
He finished with a +4 in the playoffs. Yeah he seemed really out of sorts. Who was the defenseman though who watched Mikko on his stomach complete a wrap around chance to tie the game in game 7? Who completely failed to put his stick on the ice and close off the puck from going around the post? Not Manson. Girard even puts his head up and hands in the air because he knew he flubbed it, but I’m sure you will just blame Lindgren instead because making a player not get a shot off and go all the way… Read more »
Karl — this wasn’t a pro Girard post. It was a “Manson is not the answer” post. Girard will bring a better return in a trade, and I think Manson’s best days are in the past. That being said, I don’t think the Avs should be panicky in trading either.
Well its either going to be Manson or Girard so I’ll take that as a pro-Girard post, plus Taro, and I say this cordially, you only post when Girard is in the discussion.
Karl, cordially, didn’t I concede your point after last years playoffs?
Maybe you did! I’ll be honest, I post about trading Girard so much, to the understandable angst of many on here, that I cannot recall!
We should conduct a poll. Are people more tired of Karl’s anti Girard posts. Or my Mikko shouldn’t have been traded rants! No pun intended lol.
I vote both of you off the island. Just kidding.
Jim, there are just too many posters on here who love to lose in the first round. They are not watching the physicality that you and I and some others see in the other playoffs games. Its like talking to a wall when you talk to a Girard supporter. They completely gloss over the fact that one reason our PP2 sucks is because Girard has no shot and so defenses do not have to respect him at the point.
The “refs put their whistles away” argument doesn’t really hold water. In reality, more PIMs are taken by all teams on average in the playoffs than in regular season. From moneypuck: Regs average PIMs/60 taken: 7.27 POs average PIMs/60 taken: 7.52 Both stats are for all situations. Now, if only there were a stat for missed/ignored calls per 60 minutes…there never will be because stats exist in the world of objectivity. That aside… The desire for strong skating and puck moving abilities by defensemen in the NHL is on an upward trend for a reason. The game is faster, and… Read more »
Girard cost the Avs game 5 vs Dallas with his lackadaisical play and lack of awareness. I say good riddance. Lindgren finished with a +5, the best of the Avs d-men. I’d much rather give him Girard’s salary.
The Avs current defense is:
Toews(7.25M)-Makar(9M)
Girard(5M)-Manson(4.5M)
Empty-Malinski(.85M)
Middleton(.775M)
Total cost $27.375M
A couple trade scenarios with projected salaries:
Gavrikov(7.6M)-Makar(9M)
Toews(7.25M)-Perbix(2.7M)
Dumoulin(3.19M)-Malinski(.85M)
Middleton(.775M)
Total cost $31.365M, +$3.99M
Toews(7.25M)-Makar(9M)
Girard(5M)-Ekblad(7.8M)
Middleton(.775M)-Malinski(.85M)
Total Cost $30.675M, +3.3M
Toews(7.25M)-Makar(9M)
Girard(5M)-Perbix(2.7M)
Schmidt(3M)-Malinski(.85M)
Middleton(.775M)
Total cost $28.575M, +1.2M
Toews(7.25M)-Makar(9M)
Schmidt(3M)-Perbix(2.7M)
Domoulin(3.19M)-Malinski(.85M)
Middleton(.775M)
Total cost $26.765M, -.61M
Malinski would still need a raise in all scenarios.
Are you serious about putting Schmidt on a second pair? He’ll be 34 next July. He was placed on waivers and picked up by Florida. Didn’t he play on their third pair? Generally speaking, third-pair defensemen don’t go up against the opposing team’s top offensive threats.
As for Perbix, he’s never logged second-pair minutes and barely has three full seasons under his belt. He wasn’t facing top lines either.
And paying $3 million for Dumoulin on the third pair? That’s way too much for that role.
The only suggestion that actually makes sense is Ekblad on the second pair.
Welcome to the new reality of the NHL. Guys who made a million last year now cost 3 million. 40 year old Brent Burns’ value is $5.3M. The Bruins just extended RD Henri Jokiharju (6 foot, 3G, 10P, 60 games) at 3x$3M. You want cheap, keep Middleton on the 3rd pair. It will be interesting to see what the Avs offer Malinski.
You’re going to weaken the defense by trading away Girard and Manson just to save a few pennies? And then you have the nerve to welcome me to the “new reality” of the NHL? Wow, that’s a bold take, I’ll give you that!
Why are you weakening your defense to trade players? If our defense is okay as is, then why does the team feel it needs to make our defense better? It is a luxury to be able to just bring in someone and add them to the team. The Avs do not have that with their cap ability. People in most likely means people out.
The defense is very solid and performed admirably during the last playoffs. However, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t still be improved. Improving the defense doesn’t mean swapping out B-level defensemen for C-level ones, for example. The same goes for the forwards. Just because the group is strong and performed well doesn’t mean it couldn’t be improved.
Armia Schmidt duomoulin perbix brazeau is all realistic players within the avs cap space. Trading manson and girard can restock the draft picks and prospect pool.
Armia colton brazeau
Kelly Drury essyimont.
LOC(IR)
Colton staying helps the avs incase of injuries in top 6 and Drury can just slide to 3rd line center.
So you’re suggesting replacing Girard and Manson with lower-quality defensemen just to restock the prospect pool? Have you lost your mind? The Avalanche aren’t a rebuilding team…
You are right they are not. But perbix is a cheaper version of manson.
Malinski is a cheaper version of Girard.
Schmidt is a stop gap and duomoulin replaces lindgren for cheap.
The girard trade will bring in a middle six forward. Manson will get traded for picks
Its not a rebuild. Its a transition.
The Avalanche aren’t in a transitional phase either. For years now, they’ve been focused on assembling the best possible roster to win the Stanley Cup. Your suggestions run counter to that very goal.
You said yourself there focusing on assembling best roster and in essence this what I think they would do.
Have you macfarland press conference saying about if they can upgrade they can. Right now avs have like 7 million in cap to find a 3C and 3RW and 4th line winger unless they call up prishchepov/ivan/bardakov to play till LOC comes back.
Then they have LHD 3rd pair to fill. Then sign another D for 8th spot
It seems likely to me that they do what they typically do: pass on the high-priced guys and look for bargains. Recall that Rodrigues was signed like a month into FA. If they move out more contracts then, yeah, they might be able to make a splash but they’re not typically a team that likes to overpay or go after big names.
Aarif seems to really want Girard to be traded lol. I’m a huge Sammy G fan. I see his downsides, and his trade value, but I just don’t see the point in creating that hole in your D core and then take on a much more expensive contract.
Brown Beauvillier Colton
Kelly Drury (Eagle until OC heathy)
Toews Makar
Lindgren Perbix
Schmidt Malinski
Brown $2.9m
Perbix $2.7m
Schmidt $3.0m
Malinski $1.2m
Lindgren $4.0m
Beauvillier $3.0m
$16.8m on FAs. Add the $9.5m we save by trading Sammy G and Manson to current cap space and it fits.
Switch perbix and malinski. And spot on
I like Nick Bjugstad as a possible 3/4C. He’s not as good as Coyle, but he could likely be signed for around $2m AAV.
Just really perplexed with all the Manson hate. Yes, he has missed time, and he has an occasional wtf moment, but he was far from the problem in another first round loss. From CMac’s quotes, its clear the Avs do want to get bigger on the blue line, not smaller.
No hate fro me…but he is perpetually injured, will be a UFA after this season and his contract is about $1m too much for the RÓI. Rather get a younger version we can count on to play and keep longer than this year.
I like Manson just as much as Girard, and I think the two of them make a well-balanced pairing. But the issue with Manson is that his numerous injuries and the limited number of games he’s played over the last seven years seriously weaken the Avalanche’s blue line. You need workhorses to pull the team in the right direction, and scaling back Manson’s role would probably be the right move. It’s hard to justify paying him $4.5 million for the role that would truly suit him.
All fair points guys!
We need more small, agile, puck moving defensemen. Imagine six Sammy G circles, all in a row. Kind of like the synchronized swimming team in the Olympics.
Do you think the Avs want Kovalenko back? I thought they traded him to get a goalie but not because they were sour on him. Also, are we passing on Jimmy Vesey? Can we get Pius Suter for 3C?