New report reveals Avalanche's 3 most dangerous contracts heading into next season
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
A recent report highlights the Colorado Avalanche's 3 most dangerous and valuable contracts; deals that are expecting to significantly influence the team's performance and success heading into the upcoming season.
On paper, the Avalanche boast a roster built to compete for the Stanley Cup for years to come.
Latest report reveals Avalanche's 3 most dangerous contracts.
Ryan Womeldorf from The Hockey Writers reports that the season started with significant concerns around goaltending and depth, but by year's end, both areas had become strengths once more.
Even though they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars, the team's chance to compete remains very much alive. While Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon get most of the attention, it's worth focusing on the Avalanche's best contract situations heading into the 2025-26 season.
Valeri Nichushkin - 8 years, $49 million ($6.13 million AAV)
"The only thing keeping this contract from being one of the very best in the entire league is Nichushkin's health. He came into the 2024-25 season suspended after being admitted into the league's substance abuse program. He has also never played more than 65 games for the Avalanche going back to his arrival for the 2019-20 season." -Womeldorf
When Nichushkin is on the ice, he ranks among the elite power forwards in the league. He delivers impressive production, 21 goals and 34 points in just 43 games last season, and if effective in every situation. Additionally, he adds a physical presence that boasts the Avalanche's toughness.
Hoping Nichushkin will play all 82 games is unrealistic, but he has made his contract extension valuable by providing the Avalanche with a dependable, cost-effective top-six forward when healthy.
Devon Toews - 7 years, $50.75 million ($7.25 million AAV)
"Signing veteran Brent Burns gives the Avalanche top four even more to brag about, but Toews will continue to fly under the radar. At 31 years old, his contract will take him until age 36, which isn't awful for a defenseman. That should ensure he has value on his deal even until the end." -Womeldorf
For now, the Avalanche will rely on Toews to be a steady force on defense. Despite being priced like a second-pairing defenseman, he's capable of performing at a high level on either of the team's top two defensive pairs.
Mackenzie Blackwood - 5 years, $26.25 million ($5.25 million AAV)
"It's kind of incredible to think that the Avalanche had the worst goaltending in the league over the first two months of last season. After Alex Georgiev imploded, Avalanche management was proactive and acquired Blackwood." -Womeldorf
The contract delivered results right away. Blackwood enjoyed one of his strongest seasons, posting a 22-12-3 record for the Avalanche with a 2.33 GAA and a .913 save percentage. At one point, there was even speculation about him being a dark horse contender for the Vezina Trophy.
With a salary just over $5 million per year, this contract has the potential to be one of the league's best if Blackwood maintains his performance. While goaltending remains difficult to forecast nowadays, the Avalanche appear to have positioned themselves strongly for the foreseeable future.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 26 | 24 ANSWERS New report reveals Avalanche's 3 most dangerous contracts heading into next season Which contract will age the best for the Avalanche? | ||
| Valeri Nichushkin | 6 | 25 % |
| Devon Toews | 8 | 33.3 % |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | 10 | 41.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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