When the Avalanche’s season ended in May, former general manager Pierre Lacroix championed the team’s newfound salary cap flexibility, indicating the Avs would be active in the NHL free-agent market.
But that was before the disclosure this week of hefty bonus payments due Joe Sakic and Rob Blake this coming season, which combined will count $4.6 million toward the newly established $44 million cap. Combined with already signed players, Colorado enters Saturday’s free-agent open market with about $12 million to spend – and nine of its own players remain unsigned, including Blake.
It is unlikely, therefore, that the Avalanche will be very active signing players from other teams who will become unrestricted free agents starting Saturday. The Avs just don’t have the cap room to do it. Hard choices face new Avs general manager Francois Giguere in just trying to determine which of his own players to retain.
Things have been quiet around the Avalanche offices at the Pepsi Center. Blake remains unsigned, as do potential unrestricted free agents Karlis Skrastins, Brett Clark and Dan Hinote. Hinote and Skrastins are not likely to be retained, as the agents for both players indicate they will seek deals on the open market. Skrastins’ $1.425 million salary last season is suddenly an expensive price tag for the Avs, partly because of the Blake and Sakic bonuses.
The Avs said Giguere was unavailable Thursday for comment, and Lacroix has been recuperating from a recent hospitalization for an infection in his spinal column.
If Blake signs with another team, the Avs will have more ability to sign another defenseman on the open market, but that market is becoming smaller and smaller.
On Thursday, Bryan McCabe and Wade Redden signed with their respective teams, leaving Ed Jovanovski, Zdeno Chara, Nik Lidstrom and Jay McKee as the leading defensemen still unsigned.
The next tier of defensemen who could be available includes Pavel Kubina, Brendan Witt, Kim Johnsson, Ruslan Salei, Hal Gill, Niclas Wallin, Jaroslav Spacek and Brian Leetch.
With the departure of Alex Tanguay in a trade to Calgary last week, the Avs may look to sign a free-agent forward, but the market isn’t as attractive as it is for defensemen.
Tyler Arnason, formerly with Chicago and Ottawa, might be intriguing to the Avs, although he was a bust with the Senators after being traded by Chicago at the deadline last season.
Other “name” forwards expected to be available include Sergei Samsonov, Mike Peca, Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott, Brendan Shanahan, Doug Weight, Mark Recchi, Jamie Langenbrunner and Bill Guerin.
The top goalie likely available will be Edmonton’s Dwayne Roloson.
Avs or Avs not
Denver Post Avalanche beat reporter Adrian Dater analyzes players who could be potential free-agent pickups for the team:
Tyler Arnason, Ottawa: The Senators did not offer the former Blackhawks center a deal after a poor performance following his acquisition. The Avs could take a chance on him.
Jay McKee, Buffalo: The bidding is expected to be strong for the NHL’s leading shot blocker last season. The Avs might be among interested teams, especially if Rob Blake and the league’s No. 2 shot blocker, Karlis Skrastins, depart.
Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey: The market should be strong for Langenbrunner, a proven winner and consistent right winger.
Bill Guerin, Dallas: Would the Avs take a flyer on the veteran right winger, even after a disastrous year with the Stars? GM Francois Giguere is familiar with him, after spending several years in Dallas.
Brendan Witt, Washington: Solid, rugged defenseman would be a decent replacement should Blake and Skrastins leave.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
