The Colorado Avalanche may be up to more deals in the off-season according to Denver Post’s Mike Chambers. After taking into account the recent signing of Tyson Jost to a one-year and being 5.2 million below the salary cap, general manager Joe Sakic will have to make more moves if he wants to resign defenseman Devon Toews which they recently acquired from the New York Islanders.
Toews a restricted free agent will be due for a slight raise and Sakic will need another depth defenceman to complete his roster and a physical veteran depth forward with toughness that can fit nicely on the third or fourth line for the Avalanche. NHL teams can carry a roster of 23 players maximum. Of this roster, the team can carry 13 or 14 forwards, 7 or 8 defenseman and two goalies.
In addition, the Colorado Avalanche will need space to sign their new defenseman Kyle Burroughs. Burroughs, is a restricted free agent as well, acquired from the New York Islanders in a minor-league deal October 11th. Burroughs’ salary is expected to be less than Toews but they will need to sign him regardless. Burroughs is expected to play on the bottom defence pair or be the extra defenceman.
Other players requiring attention are: Dennis Gilbert and young Avalanche draft picks Conor Timmins, 22, and Bo Byram, 19. So expect some moves by Joe Sakic to clear space.
