After losing in the second round, the Colorado Avalanche have some roster decisions to make if they want to win the Stanley Cup again. Here's the latest speculation.
Valeri Nichushkin celebrates a goal with defenseman Devon Toews and right wing Mikko Rantanen and center Casey Mittelstadt on March 22.Nearly two years after their Stanley Cup championship, the Colorado Avalanche are no closer to regaining hockey's holy grail. That could lead to some difficult decisions during the off-season.
Valeri Nichushkin's future looms over the Avalanche. In March, the 29-year-old winger completed a two-month stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. However, he left the Avalanche midway through their second-round series with the Dallas Stars and re-entered the program. He's now suspended from the league until at least November.
Nichushkin has six years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.125 million and a full no-movement clause. The Hockey News' Michael Traikos recently suggested that the odds of him completing that contract with the team aren't great.
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun indicated Nichushkin's suspension isn't grounds for contract termination. Traikos speculated the Avalanche could attempt to trade him, but another team is unlikely to take the chance right now. A contract buyout is possible but would be more costly than retaining him.
It remains to be seen if the Avalanche can welcome him back.
The Denver Post's Corey Masisak pondered Gabriel Landeskog's future. Knee surgeries have sidelined the 30-year-old Avalanche captain for the past two years. Coach Jared Bednar remains hopeful Landeskog might return next season. Whether he can is another issue.
The Avalanche received $7 million in salary-cap relief with Landeskog on long-term injury reserve. If he returns, however, it will bite deeply into their cap space for 2024-25, leaving little room to re-sign or replace key players.
ESPN.com's Ryan S. Clark indicated they must re-sign RFA center Casey Mittelstadt. Their notable pending UFAs include winger Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Sean Walker.
Clark also pointed out that Mikko Rantanen has a year left on his contract. The 27-year-old winger is an important part of their roster core. The Avalanche can open contract extension talks on July 1 but he will be expensive to retain. He carries an annual cap hit of $9.5 million and could seek considerably more on his next deal.
The Avs' limited cap space could result in Drouin's departure via free agency on July 1. The Hockey News' Michael DeRosa believes the Buffalo Sabres should target the 29-year-old winger. He also suggested the Tampa Bay Lightning look at signing gritty forward Yakov Trenin if he decides to test the market.
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