The Colorado Avalanche have begun offseason talks following their 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars in the NHL Playoffs second round.
Eight unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and one restricted free agent (RFA) are among the 14 players on the roster that have signed contracts for the next campaign.
Following the team’s loss to the Stars, several big changes may occur this offseason. But the squad should hang onto these three players. The Avalanche currently have about $16 million to work with, and the salary cap for 2024–25 is expected to rise. They must resign these three unrestricted free agents this summer.
Jonathan Drouin
The star player among the Avalanche UFAs is Jonathan Drouin, and it makes sense to bring him back after seeing how he improved both during the regular season and the brief postseason with Nathan MacKinnon.
Head coach Jared Bednar said, “I hope so,” in response to his statements about how much he loves the club and wants to return. Yes, that will be up to him, his management, and his agent. We all like him in the locker room. Liked his talent, his ability, and the way he performed for us this year, for sure. Thus, maybe, we can finish it.
With 19 goals and 37 assists this season, he posted his best career results since joining the Montreal Canadiens in 2018–19. At first, his play was inconsistent, going through long stretches without scoring and needing to be moved around the lineup to get going.
Yakov Trenin
Yakov Trenin was recruited to the team during the 2024 Trade Deadline in exchange for defence prospect Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 third-round choice. His primary role was to reinforce the bottom six and utilise his muscular and aerial skills on the penalty kill. Despite his meagre 16 game total of two goals and one assist, his arrival was crucial to the team’s late-season and postseason triumph.
More of his aggressive play and good two-way game was needed by the Avalanche, especially considering his modest cap charge of $1.7 million and bottom-six position. His ability to forecheck fit in well with players such as Ross Colton, Miles Wood, and Brandon Duhaime (another acquisition made at the trade deadline).
Sean Walker
Nearing the deadline, Sean Walker was a highly sought-after player. He was obtained from the Philadelphia Flyers in return for Ryan Johansen and a 2025 first-round selection (top-10 protected). Walker signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings before the 2020–21 season began, with a low $2.23 million cap hit. He was in the final year of the deal. His career season with the Flyers was going well; he had six goals and sixteen assists for a total of 22 points, which included three shorthanded points.
Walker’s arrival significantly strengthened the defence pairings after the Avalanche dealt Bowen Byram. With extra players prepared to go in case of injuries or needed days off, all three lines could be switched out with ease. Walker was able to lead the blue line on the second power play unit and contributed to the third pair’s offensive and defensive depth.
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