Have the Colorado Avalanche Improved Their Bottom-Six Lineup Enough?

"With Brock Nelson signing his extension this summer, the top six is basically set to start the season and, on paper, has looked its best since the 2021-22 championship season. However, is the bottom six deep enough? There haven't been any signings in free agency; instead, there have been re-signings. With Logan O'Connor out to start the season, does the bottom-six need more work to be done before the season begins?"

"There are new faces that could make their debut, such as Gavin Brindley, acquired in the Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Danil Gushchin, acquired from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Oskar Olausson. Alternatively, we could see familiar faces from the organization make their Avalanche debut, such as Taylor Makar and Zakhar Bardakov, who have recently joined from the KHL."

"They proceed to wait on the market, rather than jumping at the chance to resign Joel Kiviranta, who finished with a career-high 16 goals and seven assists for 23 points in 73 games. Instead, they re-sign him to a one-year, $1.25 million deal. He was coming off a one-year, $775,000 contract, which made last season a huge contract year in hopes of securing a bigger deal. They now welcome him back with open arms, as he was crucial to the penalty kill last season."

Brock Nelson signed an extension, leaving the top six essentially set and appearing the strongest since the 2021-22 championship season. The bottom six remains uncertain because there were no free-agent additions, only re-signings, and Logan O'Connor will be out to start the season. New acquisitions Gavin Brindley and Danil Gushchin could make debuts, and Taylor Makar and Zakhar Bardakov have joined from the KHL. Joel Kiviranta re-signed for one year at $1.25 million and remains important to the penalty kill. Victor Olofsson signed a one-year, $1.575 million deal and offers secondary scoring and power-play depth. Familiar bottom-six names include Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Ivan Ivan, with O'Connor expected to return from hip surgery.

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