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5 best fits for John Tavares in NHL free agency

By Luke Armstrong

(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL and Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) – image alterations performed by The Image Lab
(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL and Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) – image alterations performed by The Image Lab /
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DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 thanks the fans after the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-0 in game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 thanks the fans after the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-0 in game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

4. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche shocked the hockey world a year after finishing dead last. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they took the powerhouse Predators to six games in the first round. This is a franchise rife with young stars, prospects and draft picks. General manager Joe Sakic pulled off an absolute coup in the Matt Duchene deal, landing 3 draft picks and Samuel Girard among others. Their worst contracts are set to expire in the next two years, and they will have more than $25 million in cap space to start the summer.

Who would be the No. 1 center? Nathan MacKinnon or John Tavares? Take your pick — the Avalanche would have two top centers that could compete with any other franchise. Enviable prospect Cale Makar impressed in the World Juniors and is currently developing in college. The only concern would be what to do with their goaltending situation when Semyon Varlamov’s contract expires next year. But make no mistake — this is a franchise on the rise and Sakic hasn’t shown any signs of ineptitude.

A lack of depth was the only thing holding Colorado back this year. John Tavares signing could make them an absolute powerhouse in the West for years and there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t be sustainable with all of the draft picks they’ve acquired. If winning is everything, step right up. But they also have the ability to break the bank with their cap work.

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