Unrestricted free agency often means saying goodbye to friends and teammates, this year being no exception. It didn’t take long for a couple key pieces to the 2024-25 Colorado Avalanche
to find new homes once the market opened on the first of July and several others found new opportunities as the summer dragged along. With training camps set to open next week, let’s look at how the dust has settled.His agent Alan Walsh tweeted he’d hit the open market and the New York Islanders were interested, bringing
in left wing Jonathan Drouin for two years at $4M per year. It’s a good deal for Drouin who had a bounce back in Colorado but it is a little surprising he’d sign for such short term on the open market.
On a slightly bigger deal, defenseman Ryan Lindgren also found a new home. It was reported he just didn’t like the fit in Colorado, instead the blueliner opting for a four-year deal with the Seattle Kraken at $4.5M per year.
Though he didn’t see any postseason action, Jimmy Vesey was once a trade deadline addition for Colorado as part of the aforementioned Lindgren deal with the New York Rangers. Now, the forward takes his talents overseas, signing in the Swiss League.
On a smaller note, organizational depth forward Chris Wagner won’t be returning, opting for a two-year AHL contract with Springfield. The Eagles also lost the services of leading scorer Matthew Phillips to AHL San Diego and defenseman Calle Rosen signed a two-way contract with the Washington Capitals.
Other depth players have found new homes in Europe such as defenseman John Ludvig joining a powerhouse team Pardubice in Czechia.
Then there’s the Carolina Hurricanes making a splash during PTO season to being in not one but two former Avalanche players from last season in Givani Smith and Oliver Kylington. Neither finished the season in Colorado but might find a home in Raleigh.
And finally, though it’s not quite official, former Avalanche defenseman Calvin De Haan is rumored to sign with Brynas in Sweden.
