Five Free Agent Favorites: Targets for the Colorado Avalanche

Here are some signings that I think the Avs should get in on!

July 1st and the Free Agent Frenzy are less than 24 hours away, and I have a list of targets I’d like to see the Avalanche go after to fill and bolster their lineup! The Avalanche will have roughly $ 7.5 million to work with and seemingly need to address their bottom six and defensive core. Some of these signings would require other deals to make financial room, but with some holes to fill, that doesn’t seem far out of the realm of possibility. Here we go!

5. Brian Dumoulin

I’m sure the Avalanche can re-sign Erik Johnson to the league minimum if he doesn’t plan on retiring, but do they want to? No disrespect to EJ, but the Avalanche need a more sure solution on the back-end that can bring the same sort of size, grit, and experience. If the Condor does hang ’em up, Brian is just that and should be relatively affordable and open to a short-term deal.

4. Anthony Beauvillier

The Avalanche and Beauvillier have been linked in past trade and free agent talks, and I think this might be the year. Anthony poses a 10-15 goal ceiling but has some underlying 5v5 metrics that could point toward a possible rebirth with the right squad. Bottom-six depth has escaped the Avalanche a bit over the years, especially as it pertains to production. Perhaps a player like Beauvillier presents a savings opportunity that Colorado could ultimately capitalize on for offensive upside.

3. Nikolai Kovalenko

Kovalenko did not receive a qualifying offer from San Jose after he was sent there as part of the MacKenzie Blackwood deal. Colorado already invested in Kovalenko via draft selection, so it isn’t too wild to think they are still very keen on him. Given he didn’t even get a qualifying offer from San Jose, he should be relatively cheap and easily mixed back into the lineup. I thought Kovalenko had just found his time here in Colorado and would be excited to get him back into the fold of a depleted (almost) under-25 group.

2. Joel Armia

32-year-old forwards aren’t exactly sure things, and someone like Joel Armia would likely require security in the form of a term; however, Armia is almost Jared Bednar’s type through and through. He works hard on the forecheck and earns his opportunities by getting to the net. He’s not going to light up the score sheet with 39 points last season, but he can produce. What’s most important to me? He has been a successful contributor while killing penalties, and that’s something the Avalanche needs to restore.

1. Pius Suter

At age 29, Suter has only played 5 NHL seasons, which doesn’t exactly scream experience; that said, it also doesn’t yell wear and tear. He should be relatively affordable and, with a two-way game, should fit right into what Jared Bednar likes to see from his guys. He posted a career-high 46 points in 81 games with Vancouver last year and was remarkably productive. With Logan O’Connor out for an extended time, production like that from the bottom six could and should prove paramount. A 20-goal upside doesn’t just grow on trees.

Those of you who saw my PK article probably wondered why I didn’t have Pius listed, but I’ve come around! Suter being on this roster would allow the Avalanche to consider running Jack Drury at 3C, knowing they have a fail-safe in Suter if it doesn’t work out, or vice versa, depending on how Colorado wants to deploy their resources.

Let me know what you think of these suggestions in the comments!