This core group has reached the mountaintop together, but the Colorado Avalanche faces a challenging offseason where just retooling and returning as a no-doubt Stanley Cup contender won’t be …
Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland speaks during the team’s end-of-year press conference at Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colorado on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Early playoff exits lead to macro-level discussions like does Team X have the right core players or does Team Y’s style of play not work when the calendar flips to May.
“But we still have Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen Devon Toews, and that’s a pretty good launch point.”who could have been next on MacFarland’s list of core players: Valeri Nichushkin. His $6.125 million cap hit is off the books while he’s suspended, but has to go back on when he gets reinstated, which could happen as early as mid-November.
The Avs seem pretty happy with Ross Colton as the No. 3 center. Calum Ritchie might factor into Colorado’s top three in the future, but MacFarland pointed out that having these three guys will allow them to be patient with the club’s top forward prospect. Expect another year in the OHL for him. Artturi Lehkonen is having offseason shoulder surgery. MacFarland said “It will be close” for the start of training camp, so the Avs could begin without three of their top four wings .
Rantanen is entering the final year of his contract. It won’t affect the Avs’ cap for next season, but a huge new deal could further impact the offseason. Particularly, if Colorado wants to pursue anyone in a trade with multiple years left on a deal, or any free agents that want longer contracts. Toews is starting a new seven-year contract. He and Samuel Girard were both excellent during the 2024 playoffs. Given good health, the Avs look set at those two spots.
Like the left side, Makar and Josh Manson are a fantastic 1-2 punch to start. Manson is nearing an age where some decline could creep in, but he was really good next to Girard in the second half of the season. Here’s a spot that could be relatively straightforward. Alexandar Georgiev is entering the final year of his contract, so he’s eligible for a new deal in July. Justus Annunen earned the chance to be the No. 2 guy with his strong work in the second half.
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