Former Avalanche depth forward remains homeless.
Joel Kiviranta currently finds himself without an NHL contract—a state of professional uncertainty that, barring a late opportunity, could well persist into the foreseeable future.
It is somewhat surprising that the former Colorado Avalanche forward remains unsigned. At 29, Joel Kiviranta is coming off a career-best campaign, having recorded 16 goals while contributing meaningfully on the penalty kill. Yet despite this productive season, the prevailing sentiment across much of the league appears to be that Kiviranta has reached the limits of his developmental arc.
There is certainly cause for such a belief. Kiviranta recently completed his sixth professional season, and last year marked only the second time he surpassed double-digit points over a full campaign. While his 16 goals and 7 assists represented personal bests, the broader consensus within the league is skeptical of their long-term sustainability. Shooting 19% also had something to do with it despite the reputation for being a streaky scorer.
Consider, by contrast, a player like Martin Nečas, who posted 83 last season; he could very well put up 100 points. Such a progression is reasonably anticipated given Nečas’s status as an emerging elite talent, making such growth entirely plausible. Conversely, it appears untenable to expect Kiviranta to approach a 50-point season next year, a position largely shared by league evaluators.
What’s Next For Kiviranta?
Kiviranta’s prospects of securing a contract through unrestricted free agency appear increasingly slim as the calendar approaches August. The likelihood of a team extending a direct offer diminishes with time, rendering the most plausible avenue for his return to the NHL a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. This pathway—marked by perseverance and demonstration of value during training camp—is how Kiviranta initially secured his place with the Colorado Avalanche.
In 2023, he accepted a PTO invitation to attend Colorado’s training camp. Although subsequently released, he was invited to the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, where he earned a one-year contract. His performance there over 10 games ultimately facilitated a return to the NHL level. A parallel example of PTO success within Colorado is Jack Johnson, whose invitation to training camp culminated in a pivotal role during the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
Should a team elect to incorporate Kiviranta into their roster, the Buffalo Sabres present a logical fit, particularly within their bottom-six forward group. Known for his dependable penalty-killing acumen—a facet of Buffalo’s game that, while not Detroit Red Wings level abysmal, remains inconsistent—Kiviranta could provide much-needed stability. Complemented by his intermittent offensive contributions, he would offer a steadying presence alongside the Sabres’ young core.
Another strong possibility is a return to the Avalanche after they sort out their roster holes, which might include trading the aforementioned Nečas. If there’s room for Kiviranta at that time no doubt would Jared Bednar welcome him back with open arms and an important role again. So, there might be a reason for Kiviranta sitting on the sidelines after all.