The backbone of the Colorado Avalanche has been one of the best defense corps in the NHL, while goaltending has typically been at or near the top of the list of potential questions.
It’s a bit of a role reversal this offseason.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar can still begin his lineup card with two defense pairings that stack up with the league’s best, but who slots in behind them is to be determined. Meanwhile, the first two spots on the depth chart in net look quite secure, with only a depth addition behind them needed.
This is part two of a primer for what is an intriguing offseason for the Avalanche. Part one dealt with the forwards.
There is not a lot of cap space available for general manager Chris MacFarland and his staff right now, particularly because of the uncertainty moving forward with key forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Gabe Landeskog.
Who are some of the low-cost options who could fit as depth players for the Avalanche at both positions?
Defense
Returning regulars: Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, Josh Manson
Potential regulars: Sam Malinski
Unrestricted free agents: Sean Walker, Jack Johnson, Caleb Jones
Given the lack of cap space, particularly after forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Jonathan Drouin possibly get new deals, it could be tough for the Avs to begin next season with a defense corps as strong as the last one. That was part of the deal though when Colorado moved Bo Byram as part of a two-trade maneuver to land Mittelstadt and solidify the No. 2 center spot behind Nathan MacKinnon.
Malinski, who turns 26 this summer, looked like a solid NHL player in 23 games as a rookie. If he can play more like a No. 5 defenseman who anchors the third pair and less like someone who is a placeholder, that would be a big boost.
Walker had a breakout year split between Philadelphia and Colorado, and will likely have a market that is too rich for the Avs to try and bring him back. Johnson, 37, made it clear that he wants to keep playing.
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Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
