Colorado Avalanche
· 2026-06-27
The Colorado Avalanche are looking to add depth to their roster after a busy offseason, with Joe Sakic stating the team hopes to sign one or two forwards and a defenseman.
The Avalanche created cap flexibility through multiple trades and used some of that space to sign veteran defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak.
The team has less than $6 million in cap space, making value signings the most realistic option once free agency opens.
Sakic acknowledged that several difficult roster decisions were made with the salary cap in mind, not performance.
The Avalanche are looking to bolster their forward depth, with Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux expected to compete for full-time NHL roles next season.
Svechkov drew praise from Sakic for his impact on the game beyond the scoresheet, with Sakic comparing him to Chris Drury.
The Avalanche hold 10 selections across Rounds 2 through 7 in the NHL Draft, which began on Friday and concludes on Saturday.
The team is looking to replenish a prospect pool that has been depleted by years of aggressive, win-now moves.
The Avalanche are currently 1st in the Western Conference with a 55-16 record, on a W3 streak, after losing 2-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights on 2026-05-27.
L'Heureux brings a physical style of play, which the Avalanche felt was lacking in their sweep by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Sakic believes L'Heureux can be an exciting player for the team, but he needs to channel his physicality without crossing the line.
L'Heureux has an extensive disciplinary history, with 12 suspensions throughout his junior and professional career, costing him 39 games.
The Avalanche are looking to address their physicality shortcomings, which were exposed in their playoff loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The team's salary cap situation will ultimately determine what moves they can make, with Sakic stating that value signings are the most realistic option.
The Avalanche are looking to build on their successful season, with Sakic stating that the team is still looking to add before training camp.