It’s not the biggest question mark in the lineup, but the Colorado Avalanche has another offseason ahead of trying to figure out the bottom of the defensive depth chart.
The Avs have the entire top four under contract for next season, but who will fill spots 5-8 on the blue line involves some internal options and also uncertainty. Colorado has had a bit of a revolving door at the No. 5 slot recently, going from Bo Byram to Sean Walker to several guys jostling for the spot to Ryan Lindgren just inside the past two seasons.
Lindgren is an unrestricted free agent and could be outside the Avs’ budget. He’ll certainly be if the club commits to paying the market rate for a No. 2 center.
The new No. 5 might be Sam Malinski, in which case the Avs are actually looking for a No. 6 to play with him. Malinski was No. 5 by default after last season ended and before the Avs went on a budget-conscious offseason shopping spree.
Now, after a full season with some ups and downs but flashes of strong play, Malinski will be 27 years old next season and should be an everyday player. He’s also a restricted free agent, so what his next contract looks like will affect how much the Avs have to pay for a potential partner.
So, assuming the Avs keep the top four plus Malinski, what are some of the options to fill out the rest of the defense corps? Given the financial limitations, it might be a similar strategy — find some bargains until there’s more flexibility to add someone at the trade deadline.
Internal options
Ryan Lindgren
Vitals: 6-foot, 194 pounds, 27 years old
2024-25 stats: 4 goals, 22 points in 72 games (19:42 time on ice per game)
The only way the Avs can bring Lindgren back is to not sign a No. 2 center and get a team-friendly deal done with Malinski. They couldn’t afford him last year without getting the Rangers to eat half of his cap hit. The Avs will likely try to find a similar style of player, just at a cheaper price.
Erik Johnson
Vitals: 6-4, 225, 37 years old
2024-25 stats: 2 goals, 5 points in 36 games (14:35)
If Johnson wants to keep playing, the Avs could welcome him back. It’s not likely to be an everyday role. He could be the No. 4 righty and bring all of his intangibles back for one more run.
Keaton Middleton
Vitals: 6-6, 240, 27 years old
2024-25 stats: 0 goals, 2 points in 41 games (11:29)
The Avs added six defensemen during the offseason and training camp who were all likely ahead of Middleton on the depth chart at some point. Yet he played more NHL games than all of them but Calvin de Haan, and Bednar was playing him over de Haan ahead of the deadline. Middleton probably fits best as the No. 4 lefty. He and Johnson could be the Nos. 7 and 8 guys.
Wyatt Aamodt
Vitals: 6-0, 201, turns 28 in November
2024-25 stats: 1 goal in 2 games (17:07)
A fun story at the end of the season, but could he be next season’s Middleton? May still be an interesting depth guy.
John Ludvig
Vitals: 6-1, 210, turns 25 in August
2024-25 stats: 0 goals, 2 points in 8 games (12:57)
Didn’t get much of a chance with the big club. He’s an RFA. Will the Avs tender him, or let him become a UFA?
External mid-range
These guys are likely off the table if the Avs bring Brock Nelson back or sign someone of similar cost. But they could all be more than just a third-pairing guy when injuries happen, too.
Brian Dumoulin, Ducks/Devils
Vitals: 6-4, 214, turns 34 in September
2024-25 stats: 3 goals, 22 points in 80 games (19:33)
Dumoulin was a critical figure during multiple title runs with the Penguins. His play has declined, but he had a nice year in a more limited role with Seattle two seasons ago. He’s coming off a two-year deal at $3.15 million annually. Could be an ideal “No. 5/6 who can give you top-four minutes in short bursts” type of addition.
Derek Forbort, Canucks
Vitals: 6-4, 216, 33 years old
2024-25 stats: 2 goals, 11 points in 54 games (17:06)
Forbort is far from an analytics darling and sustained a broken orbital bone near the end of the season, but he would offer size and help on the penalty kill. He was on a one-year $1.5 million contract in Vancouver.
Nate Schmidt, Panthers
Vitals: 6-0, 197, turns 34 in July
2024-25 stats: 5 goals, 19 points in 80 games (16:32)
The Jets were better last year against the Avs when they finally played Schmidt. Then a smart franchise scooped him up and he fit right in. Not the biggest, but would be another plus vibes guy who can still play in the right role, too. He signed for $800,000 with the Panthers, but could get a decent raise this offseason.
External bargain bin
These are guys who will likely sign for around $1 million. The Avs added Erik Brannstrom, Oliver Kylington and de Haan this past offseason, and all three of them will be on the market again. There could be dozens of names in this group
Ryan Suter, Blues
Vitals: 6-1, 201, 40 years old
2024-25 stats: 2 goals, 15 points in 82 games (19:28)
Suter can still play, clearly. He may just re-up with the Blues. But if not, he could be a fun mentor for Malinski and continue his tour of the Central Division.
Josh Mahura, Kraken
Vitals: 6-0, 193, 27 years old
2024-25 stats: 0 goals, 9 points in 64 games (13:45)
Mahura is interesting. He had nice underlying numbers with Florida and was OK in Seattle. He hasn’t spent much time killing penalties, though, and the Avs would probably like a PK guy given the rest of the defense corps.
Parker Wotherspoon, Bruins
Vitals: 6-1, 192, turns 28 in August
2024-25 stats: 1 goal, 7 points in 55 games (18:02)
Similar to Mahura, but got to play a little more on a bad team. He might be more of a No. 7/8 type in a different situation.
Mike Reilly, Islanders
Vitals: 6-2, 191, turns 32 in July
2024-25 stats: 0 goals, 2 points in 18 games (15:10)
Reilly has been a really solid player for several years, but he missed a big chunk of this past season after dealing with a heart condition. He returned to the Islanders lineup and played in seven games after having surgery to correct it. He said at the end of the season that he will keep playing and there are no concerns moving forward.
Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.