Avalanche face tough decisions that could shape their future after next season
Photo credit: Rich Graessle / The Score
The Colorado Avalanche will be forced to confront some difficult roster choices after next season, decisions that could have a lasting impact on the direction of the franchise.
There are three players who likely won't be returning once this season comes to an end.
Avalanche will have some tough roster decisions to make after next season.
Rob Couch from NHL Trade Rumors writes that veteran defenseman Brent Burns inked a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche after spending the past few seasons holding down a top-four spot on the Carolina Hurricanes' blue line.
"He isn't the same offensive talent he once was, but the veteran can still get the puck on net and has good offensive instincts." -Couch
Burns is projected to slot in on the Avalanche's third pairing this season, though he could see time higher in the lineup if Cale Makar or Josh Manson miss games on the right side. At 41, this one-year stint in Colorado could mark the final chapter of his career before he either re-enters free agency or hangs un the skates.
The Avalanche made a smart late-offseason addition in Victor Olofsson, strengthening a bottom-six group that looked thin after a flurry of roster moves.
"Olofsson can score, but hasn't seemed to stick around anywhere very long as he has bounced around the past few seasons. It really depends how he fits in on the Avalanche's bottom-6, but this is a team that has been desperate for depth scoring. If he slumps or can't do what is needed offensively, Colorado has no reason to bring him back." -Couch
If the Avalanche fall short of the Stanley Cup, expect another roster shake-up as the team searches for a formula that clicks.
Scott Wedgewood proved to be a reliable addition for Colorado after being brought in to back up Mackenzie Blackwood. Entering the second and final year of his contract, he's coming off a strong campaign in which he posted a 14-6-2 record with a 2.32 GAA and a .908 save percentage.
"That will absolutely do for this coming season, but those are tough numbers to keep up, even on a good team. I fully expect the GAA to rise and the SV% to stay around the same at best." -Couch
The Avalanche have their starter locked in, but with Trent Miner gaining AHL and NHL experience, he could compete for the backup job next season, saving the team valuable cap space once his contract is up.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 18 ANSWERS Avalanche face tough decisions that could shape their future after next season Which player are the Avalanche likely to re-sign after next season? | ||
| Brent Burns | 1 | 5.6 % |
| Victor Olofsson | 8 | 44.4 % |
| Scott Wedgewood | 9 | 50 % |
| List of polls | ||
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