New report confirms Avalanche sill eyeing another free agent ahead of next season
Photo credit: James Guillory / USA TODAY Sports
A new report suggests that the Colorado Avalanche are still actively exploring options to add another free agent to their roster, aiming to strengthen their lineup ahead of the upcoming NHL season and address any remaining gaps before training camp begins.
Over the past few weeks, several professional tryout players around the league have been signed to professional tryout (PTO) contracts, and the Avalanche could be looking to follow a similar path.
Avalanche may look to add another free agent before the start of next season.
Aarif Deen from Colorado Hockey Now writes that for a team still hunting for hidden talent, Evgeny Kuznetsov stands out as a clear candidate, though it's uncertain if he'd accept a PTO.
"But the fact that he's still on the market is interesting. Kuznetsov has made it known that he's interested in returning to the league after a one-year stint in the KHL. When he's on his game and bought in, he's as talented a player as there is in the NHL. But he's also not been as focused as he should be for several years now. And there's always a possibility for off-ice issues with this player." -Deen
Should the Avalanche take a risk on bringing him in?
I remain a firm believer that depth is crucial, and it should be a higher priority for this front office than it has been in recent years. You can't always plan for the worst, but with Logan O'Connor already expected to miss the start of the season, the Avalanche are already turning to their inexperienced and less-established AHL forwards to fill a full-time roster spot.
"What happens if someone is injured on opening night? Or the team has two more players go down before O'Connor returns? These are very realistic scenarios and have happened to this team on several occasions over the last handful of years.
With that being said, someone like Tyler Motte would be a great camp addition. He's a hard-working depth forward that can play fourth-line minutes and kill penalties." -Deen
With that being said, someone like Tyler Motte would be a great camp addition. He's a hard-working depth forward that can play fourth-line minutes and kill penalties." -Deen
At just 30 years old, Motte is coming off a nine-point season in 55 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He has played at least 50 games in each of the past four seasons and brings 44 career playoff games of experience.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 20 ANSWERS New report confirms Avalanche sill eyeing another free agent ahead of next season Who would you want the Avalanche to sign to a PTO before training camp begins? | ||
| Evgeny Kuznetsov | 16 | 80 % |
| Tyler Motte | 4 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||
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