Latest report hints at who the Avalanche will sign next this offseason

The Avalanche recently signed veteran all-star Brent Burns to a one-year contract, but 40-years-old, it might be smart to acquire another depth defenseman at a low cost.

Josh Wegman from The Score writes that Colorado's third-line left-shot defenseman on the depth chart is currently 27-years-old Keaton Middleton, who has appeared in 44 NHL games. At 5-foot-10, Grzelcyk would represent a significant upgrade for that role and could be an excellent match for head coach Jared Bednar's fast-paces system, thanks to his skating ability and puck-moving skills.

Grzelcyk delivered a very strong season despite spending it in Pittsburgh. He reached a career-high with one goal and 39 assists, largely thanks to his role leading the Penguins' power play, where he notched 15 points. Additionally, he averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game, a workload that would benefit the Avalanche by helping to keep their entire defensive unit well-rested.

Grzelcyk's previous cap hit was $2.75 million, so a raise is expected. He's really looking at a contract worth around $4 million or less, with AFP estimating about $3.75 million. While I'm a fan of his game and believe, he'd fit well with the Avalanche, there's limited space for another offensive defenseman in a lineup already stacked with top-end offensive blueliners.

We'll see what unfolds over the course of the offseason.

Source:
The Score
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