Avalanche Analyst Lists 4 Free Agents That "Make Sense" For Avs PTOs

The Colorado Avalanche haven't made any earth-shattering moves this offseason, and with about $2 million to play with under the cap, none are likely forthcoming.

The remaining free agent market isn't exactly rife with players that would make an immediate impact on the Avs lineup, but it's certainly within their best interests at this point in the summer to bring some potential fits in on professional tryouts (PTOs).

To that end, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now has proposed four UFAs that "make sense" for the Avalanche for PTOs this fall:

Dominik Kubalik

The 28-year-old forward has twice been a 20-goal scorer in his five NHL seasons (and even a 30-goal scorer as a rookie). But a dreadful 11-goal, 15-point season with the Ottawa Senators in 2023-24 has left him without a taker this summer. If he doesn't head back overseas to Switzerland, where he toiled before coming to the NHL, the goal-scoring winger would certainly be worth a PTO look-see in camp.

The Avs could use some depth forwards, in case Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin aren't ready to go to start the season (and let's assume they won't be).

Steve Lorentz

Well, the Avs are looking for a 4th line center, and Lorentz was part of a Stanley Cup winner this past season, so they could do worse than taking an (almost) free look at a player like Lorentz on a PTO. He's just one season removed from a 10-goal year with the San Jose Sharks.

Filip Zadina

So why not take a chance on a former No. 6 overall selection in the NHL Draft? Granted, Zadina hasn't come close to living up to that lofty draft status in his six years in the league, but he did set a career-high with 13 goals last season in San Jose (unfortunately, that also came with an unsightly plus/minus of -44).

James van Riemsdyk

This one seems like a potential no-brainer. A quality veteran who just turned 35, and just two years ago had a 24-goal season—his seventh 20+ goal campaign. He has a nose for the net, and could be a help in the bottom-six. He fared well enough in that role last season with the Boston Bruins, notching 38 points.

But despite all of these possibilities, it's perhaps their captain returning to the fold that could be their biggest offseason (or early-season) addition, as we reported this weekend.