The free-agent market opened Tuesday, and like most of the other top teams in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche opted out of the frenzy.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The hit rate on July 1 contracts is historically poor, and thanks to a last-second rush of clubs retaining their own pending free agents, the market was thin.
Colorado does have cap flexibility, but patience was always an option. And it might turn out to be the right one.
The Avs did sign Parker Kelly to a four-year contract extension, but that doesn’t begin until the 2026-27 campaign.