Avalanche UFA Board: Finding the Right Fits on July 1 — Defense Options Available

Free agency officially begins on Tuesday and the Avalanche, among many other teams, are looking to bolster their lineup.

Even more so after trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus on Friday.

It’s been a long time since Colorado has signed a free agent to a big contract. Last year, Oliver Kylington got the biggest AAV from the Avs at $1.15 million. Two years ago, it was Wood at $2.5 million.

The year before that, Evan Rodrigues signed for $2 million.

If my memory serves correctly, you basically have to go back seven years to the last time the Avalanche signed a UFA from another team for a contract with an AAV higher than $4 million. That was Ian Cole, who signed for three years and $4.25 million.

Could this be the year that changes? Maybe. Chris MacFarland wouldn’t commit to going all in on the UFA market, as he and his staff often build via trades. But if they choose to sign a bigger name, there are options that could help.

If not, depth pieces can be signed to fill out the lineup, and those options are endless.

Here are 10 names to watch for the Avs heading into the first day of free agency tomorrow.

Read More: Chris MacFarland Ahead of Free Agency: ‘We’ll Look At Every Avenue’ to Improve Roster

Ivan Provorov, D, Age: 28

Aside from Aaron Ekblad, Provorov is likely the biggest free agent defenseman on the market. The Avs want another left-shot defenseman. We know that for sure.

But I’m still wondering what, exactly, they’re looking for. Is Samuel Girard a trade otion or is he remaining on the second pair? If he and his $5 million cap hit are moved, Provorov would be a solid UFA to round out your top three with Cale Makar and Devon Toews.

He’s coming off a six-year deal worth $6.75 million and is due for a raise. So this wouldn’t be cheap. You’d pretty much for sure have to trade Girard and maybe more to make the salary work.

Vladislav Gavrikov, D, Age: 29

There is one other defenseman who’s up there with Provorov and Ekblad and likely will be available on Tuesday.

Gavrikov, who is listed at 6’3, 220 lbs, shoots left and could be a solid addition on the blueline. Read those numbers again. And then check out this quote from Chris MacFarland yesterday.

“If you’re just looking at the obvious, to continue the left-right theme, a left shot would go a long way,” MacFarland said. “And if he was 6’3, 220 lbs and skates like the wind and pounds people, we’d love to find that. But those are unicorns.”

The height and weight thing might be a coincidence, but still funny. And worth keeping an eye on.

Gavrikov, if not an overpayment, is the best fit for the Avs.

Pius Suter, C, Age: 29

When he was with the Red Wings, Suter showed flashes of brilliance as a solid depth center. But last year his career really took off with Vancouver. And now, coming off a 21-goal, 46-point season, he’s looking to cash in.

The reason why the Avs haven’t signed any UFA’s to big-money deals since 2018 is because you often have to overpay. Would Suter accept $3.5 million? He’d almost certainly get more from someone else, especially given the lack of center options.

Colorado could offer more if the front office decides to not go as big on the blueline (which they probably will). But Suter would be an ideal third-line center.

Victor Olofsson, LW, Age: 29

Now for the lower cost depth options. The Avs need at least two third liners, and possibly three if they trade Ross Colton.

If you’re looking for someone who can play the left side on the power play and pound pucks home, then Victor Olofsson isn’t a bad option. He had 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games for the Knights last year in a limited role.

Brandon Tanev, LW, Age: 33

MacFarland said on Friday that the team would love to find more bottom six players like what they have in their fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Parker Kelly, and Jack Drury. Guys that work hard, and hound the puck.

Brandon Tanev is one of those guys, and would be a great fit. Especially given the loss of O’Connor to start the season.

Read More: Deen’s Daily: MacKinnon Has Had Enough; MacFarland Talks Coyle, Wood Trade; Marner to Vegas?!

Anthony Beauvillier, C, Age: 28

Once upon a time, Beauvillier was a potential acquisition for the Avs back when the Islanders were interested in acquiring Matt Duchene.

Now 28 years old, he’s moved around quite a bit and settled in as a depth player. Beauvillier can play third-line center, kill penalties, and pitch in offensively (last year he had 15 goals and 25 points).

This is the type of player that, if you had him in mind as a target, makes it easier to trade Charlie Coyle. You’d get him for less than Coyle’s $5.25 million.

Andrew Mangiapane, C, Age: 29

Listed as a center but usually plays the wing, Mangiapane is another guy that can give the Avs depth in the bottom six. Last year wasn’t all that great with Washington (14 goals, 14 assists in 81 games), but he’s got quite a bit of offensive upside.

Joel Armia, RW, Age: 32

Here’s a guy that I’ve written about in the past for the Avs. Armia is a great veteran and someone that would fit in with the culture of the Avalanche’s core. He’s a hard-working, checking winger that can pitch in offensively.

Brian Dumoulin, D, Age: 33

I wonder about Brian Dumoulin as a third-pair option for the Avs. He’d cost quite a bit for that role, but he’s a solid veteran defenseman with a ton of playoff experience.

Justin Brazeau, LW, Age: 27

Brazeau is a beefy player, listed at 6’5, 220 lbs. He’s also a young UFA at just 27 years old. Brazeau doesn’t kill penalties, but he had 10 goals and 10 assists in 57 games with the Bruins last year before getting traded to Minnesota. It wasn’t as good a fit for the Wild.