Fansided

One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 31: New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates during the first period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders on March 31, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 31: New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates during the first period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders on March 31, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Colorado Avalanche: John Tavares, Center

First of all, we need to sit here a moment and marvel at how incredible of a deal the Colorado Avalanche are getting for superstud Nathan MacKinnon. He’s 22 and just had a breakout season of 39 goals and 97 points. He’s also locked up for the next five years at a measly $6 million. Mikko Rantanen scored 84 points and in 2019 (or sooner) he’s going to get paid very well, but let’s consider how next season could unfold by acquiring John Tavares.

The Avalanche are in excellent shape financially with a little under $31 million to spare. They don’t have a vast amount of players that need to be resigned to exorbitant numbers until Rantanen becomes a restricted free agent.

They have to be careful, sure. We don’t want to see them get into the same trouble as Chicago. In 2019, Colorado faces an entire host of players to make decisions on. It also needs a backup goaltender for Semyon Varlamov, if it decides to let Jonathan Bernier test the market. But if you’re mode is win sooner rather than later, Tavares makes sense. And the Avalanche have to feel good about where they are after taking the President’s Trophy winning Nashville Predators to six games in the Quarterfinals. They also hit 95 points in a crowded Central Division after getting to only 48 in 2017. This is a team not only on the upswing, but one looking for a final piece to compete with the big dogs.

We all know what Tavares can do. His 84 points and near point-per-game average in nine seasons with the New York Islanders speaks for itself. He’ll also want (and deserve) $10 million or above per season. That leaves plenty of cap space to sign depth, and won’t hurt them next year. The idea of Tavares with MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog should send waves through the NHL similar to what we see in Boston.

One factor in this is whether or not Colorado chooses to sign Rantanen this offseason as opposed to next. Also, what does the figure for Rantanen look like with MacKinnon making only $6 million and having just been nominated for the Hart Trophy? Expect the Avs to make a heavy push for Tavares or, failing that, a pitch at defenseman John Carlson. Both could make this team a legitimate contender right away.

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