The busiest part of the NHL offseason is over, with player movements picking up steam with the NHL Draft and the start of free agency. The Colorado Avalanche have been busy, but the majority of their moves have been low-key moves to bolster the bottom of their lineup. With uncertainty surrounding the franchise heading into the 2024-25 season, it's not surprising that no splashy trades have materialized.
Depending on the status of Gabriel Landeskog (recovering from surgery) and Valery Nichushkin (NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program), the Avalanche may need cap space to bring them back when the time comes. For reference, the NHL has set the salary cap at $88 million for the 2024-25 season, which is a $4.5 million increase over the 2023-24 season.
The Avalanche currently have about $10.9 million in cap space with Landeskog and Nichushkin out of contract for the time being (seven defensemen and at least one forward need to be signed or promoted), and assuming the two return at some point, the team could be as much as $2 million over the cap, given that the two forwards account for a combined $13.125 million against the cap.
The Avalanche front office will likely try to preserve some space to more easily integrate one or both of their forwards when the time comes, but it could be useful to add another insurance option up front in case neither situation is resolved definitively by the end of the year.
Using Evolving Hockey's contract projections, let's take a closer look at three of the most intriguing unsigned free agent forwards by contract length and average annual salary (AAV).
Daniel Sprong, left wing/right wing
Daniel Sprong recorded 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023-24 season, despite playing just 12 minutes per game. He's long been one of the NHL's most efficient goal scorers on a per-minute basis, but has struggled to lock down a spot in the past. Considering only three Avalanche forwards scored 20 goals and only four scored 50 points last season, a long-term look at the underrated forward seems like a no-brainer.
Among NHL forwards who have played at least 1,000 minutes at 5-on-5 over the past two seasons, Sprong ranks ninth in goals per 60 minutes, 15th in primary assists per 60 minutes and 11th in points per 60 minutes. No one else can match the sniper's cost per point, but Sprong faces the possibility of joining a sixth NHL franchise before he turns 27.
Sprong is expected to make $3.38 million per year on a three-year deal, or $1.8 million per year on a one-year deal. The Avalanche might tempt him with a comfortable spot somewhere in the top nine and at least a spot on the second power play unit. On a short-term, proven deal, Sprong couldn't do much worse than bet on the Avalanche's high-octane system.
Tyler Johnson, center/left wing/right wing
Tyler Johnson may no longer be the player who three-timed 50-plus point seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he remains valuable in the thankless role of developing the next generation of Chicago Blackhawks talent, having recorded 17 goals and 31 points in 67 games last season while averaging more than 15 minutes per game in all situations.
You may also like:
Johnson has a Stanley Cup track record and a resume that includes 116 total playoff games, having helped the Lightning win championships in 2020 and 2021. The 33-year-old Johnson could be protected in a guarded role within the Avalanche's bottom six, which is a much better fit at this stage of his career.
Johnson has enough power and awareness offensively to help Colorado score regularly with their stars off the ice, something they struggled with in the playoffs against the Dallas Stars. Evolving Hockey projects a four-year deal is the most likely based on history (average annual salary of $3.1 million), but the Avalanche might be hoping for something closer to the $1.3 million Johnson would make on a one-year deal.
Nick Cousins, left winger/centre
Nick Cousins is a free agent after appearing in 33 playoff games over the past two seasons and winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024. His role with the Panthers diminished as the most recent playoff run drew to a close, but his tendency to play on the edge has always injected a different element into a seasoned lineup. The 30-year-old forward has scored at least seven goals in each of the past three seasons and is one of the league's most active forecheckers and a notorious agitator on the ice.
Cousins is expected to sign a two-year contract worth $1.49 million per year. He has the defensive ability and veteran experience to make it easier for the Avalanche to find a suitable replacement if they need to shed salary in a hurry. But head coach Jared Bednar will likely value his availability, especially following the retirement of Andrew Cogliano.
The Avalanche are looking to strengthen their forward line
The Avalanche could offer a future free agent the opportunity to play with some of the biggest stars in the sport, such as Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and a legitimate chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.
Given the team's looming cap issues and salary allocation, taking a low-risk, high-reward gamble on a player (such as Jonathan Drouin last offseason) would be a good idea as long as the core players are performing at an All-Star level. It will require some research, but the effort is worth it if you unearth another talent.
Data provided by Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick, NHL.
