Avs need to add some more scoring depth
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: If the Colorado Avalanche want to take it to the next level, they are going to have to add some offensive depth to their lineup.
The line of Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog have combined for 167 points, with the rest of their roster recording only 205 points.
The Avs have a nice collection of prospects – Cale Makar, Connor Timmins, Martin Kaut, A.J. Greer and Shane Bowers – but they shouldn’t move their top prospects for quick fixes.
Pending free agent goaltender Semyon Varlamov could be a trade candidate. Would someone be interested in defenseman Nikita Zadorov? Would third-pairing pending UFA defenseman Patrik Nemeth get some interest? They also could look at moving draft picks – they do have two first rounders with one being the Ottawa Senators.
The Devils have some free agent decisions to make and some areas that need improving
James O’Brien of NBC Sports: New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero earlier to NHL.com’s Mike Morreale:
“Doing something for the sake of getting a little bit better, or to just say you’re doing something, is patchwork and not a plan,” Shero said. “There’s only one way to do this. The idea is to build something that once you do build it, you’re in a good position each year to have a chance to make the playoffs and at a certain point you’re considered a Cup contender.”
Taylor Hall is able to sign a contract extension after July 1st, the Devils may need to convince him they aren’t rebuilding and hopefully sign him to a long-term deal.
Forward Nico Hischier‘s entry-level deal expires after this season.
Defenseman Sami Vatanen will need a new contract after next season and the Devils will have to decide if he’s in their long-term plans.
Defenseman Will Butcher‘s entry-level is up after this season. He’s not putting up the offensive numbers like he did last year. It may not be easy to get him locked up to the ‘right deal.’
Forward Marcus Johansson has battled injuries and they may look to re-sign him at a reduction from his current $4.58 million cap hit.
The Devils need to get better goaltending, better secondary scoring behind Hischier/Hall/Palmieri, and improve their blueline.
They may need to look outside their organization to improve in goal.