Avs will be aggressive in free agency … Trading Barrie may not make sense
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said they will likely use their No. 4 and No. 16 picks but will “listen” to trade offers.
Head coach Jared Bednar will get a contract extension but it is not a priority at the moment.
The Avs plan on being “more aggressive” in the free agent market this offseason.
“We already have targeted players in mind if they become available that we’re going to want to talk to about joining our club.”
The Avs could look at trading defenseman Tyson Barrie for a top-six forward. Barrie has a year left at $5.5 million.
Defenseman Conor Timmins missed all of last year with concussion-like symptoms and if he isn’t healthy, it seems unlikely that they would move Barrie.
The Avalanche have a long list of free agents, including Rantanen
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen is a pending restricted free agent and will likely become the Avs highest paid player.
He’ll likely be looking for $7.5 million or more. Nathan MacKinnon carries a $6.3 million cap hit.
Avs GM Joe Sakic said he’s like to do a long-term deal, but if they have to do a bridge deal, then that’s what they’ll do.
“We want to make sure we have him signed,” Sakic said. “Don’t ask me the time-frame. There’s a lot of players in that same situation, a lot of great hockey players who are all coming up. We’ll just see how all the players and agents handle that.”
Other pending RFAs for the Avalanche include Nikita Zadorov, Ryan Graves, J.T. Compher, Alex Kerfoot, and Vladislav Kamenev.
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche hold the No. 4 and No. 16 picks in the first round, and have five picks in the first three rounds.
The Avalanche could use a top-six forward and a backup goalie. They’ll be looking at the free agent market.
Artemi Panarin and Jeff Skinner are top UFAs that could be available.
Mikko Rantanen could get a long-term deal from the Avs in the $8.5 million range.
RFAs Alex Kerfoot, J.T. Compher, Vladislav Kamenev, and Ryan Graves will likely get bridge deals.
Trade deadline acquisition Derick Brassard likely won’t be back.
Gabriel Bourque could return on a cheap deal.
The Avs likely won’t look to re-sign fellow UFAs in Colin Wilson, Patrik Nemeth and Semyon Varlamov.