Aarif Deen
The Colorado Avalanche continued to add on July 1, signing depth defenseman Noah Juulsen to a two-year contract. Juulsen’s deal carries a $1.1 million AAV.
Juulsen, 29, is a right-shot defenseman who played 52 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, posting career-highs in assists (nine) and points (10). It’s just two games behind his career-high of 54 from the 2023-24 season.
Drafted in the first round in 2015, Juulsen has been used mostly as a depth defenseman. He dressed in five playoff games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season and was otherwise healthy scratched.
The Avalanche entered free agency in need of a depth defenseman behind their top six. The entire main group that they used in the 2026 playoffs is back, meaning Juulsen will settle in as the No. 7 defenseman. He’s the fifth right-handed blueliner under contract for the upcoming season, with just Devon Toews and Brett Kulak as lefties. Josh Manson, who also shoots right, can also play on the left side.
The Avs signed Juulsen after adding forward Jaden Schwartz to shore up their middle-six depth up front. Following both additions, the Avalanche have roughly $1.3 million in remaining cap space with 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders under contract.