NHL free-agency day is a delight for the many interested in wild speculation and frothy scenarios, most of which don’t come to fruition. That hasn’t stopped this morning from being the usual frenzy of anticipation for hockey fans, as the clock ticks to the 10 a.m. start of open bidding for players with unrestricted free-agent status.
The Avalanche is expected to be part of the fun. With close to $15 million still to spend to get to the NHL’s minimum payroll of $48.3 million, it isn’t as much a question of whether the Avs want to spend money, as in previous years. They must spend some money.
Goalie Tomas Vokoun is the big fish at his position, and the Avs are believed to want to land him. They could face stiff bidding competition from a team such as the Phoenix Coyotes, however, who have even more cap room than Colorado and recently lost their No. 1 goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov.
The Avs also figure to sign a position player or two or three. Early candidates that make sense are Phoenix defender Ed Jovanovski, bruising Nashville winger Joel Ward and hard-hitting, utility center Mike Rupp from Pittsburgh.
The Avs also could lose a quality free-agent player, in left wing Tomas Fleischmann. Talks between the team and Fleischmann have not borne fruit as of yet, and there are expected to be several teams that will make him a nice offer. Colorado also is expected to say goodbye to free-agent enforcer David Koci.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
