3 Colorado Avalanche Not Expected Back Next Season

The Colorado Avalanche were eliminated at the hands of the Seattle Kraken in what was a somewhat shocking outcome. The reigning champs head home as the second-season Kraken continue on their first Stanley Cup Playoff run. Look for some sweeping changes to the Avalanche roster heading into 2023-24; here's three players not to expect back in their lineup:

Lars Eller

Unfortunately things didn't work out as planned for trade deadline acquisition Lars Eller. He was brought in to help fill the void left by Nazem Kadri and frankly it failed miserably. Eller finished with only seven points in 23 regular season games and zero points in seven games against the Kraken. The 33-year-old is a pending free agent and won't be re-signed in Colorado.

Jack Johnson

Speaking of veterans, defenseman Jack Johnson is someone who the Avalanche will replace next season. The 36-year-old blueliner is a pending free agent and is likely going to hang the skates up this summer or at least contemplate the career move. Johnson appeared in 25 regular season games for the Avs and another three in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He'll go down as one of the more steady defensemen of his era as this could be it for Johnson.

Erik Johnson

Speaking of Johnson's, Erik Johnson may be in the same boat as Jack. The veteran defenseman has been nothing but nails for the Avalanche over the course of his career and this season, Erik appeared in 63 regular season games, recording eight assists and another seven games in the postseason, scoring once. The Avalanche have a ton of depth on the blue line so if Erik does get re-signed, it will be a one-year deal around league minimum. Given the cap space and the amount of forwards the team will require to be signed this summer, it's unlikely the Johnson duo returns to mile high.