As the Florida Panthers successfully defended their 2024 Stanley Cup victory with a 5-1 win in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final, everyone’s eyes turned to the cross-country season of the 2024-25 season. The 2025 NHL introductory draft is scheduled to be held from June 27 to 28, after which the annual free agent deadline begins on July 1.
Like the other 30 NHL teams, Colorado’s Avalanche entered the offseason with disappointment. Despite having the third best percentage of points in the league (PTS%) on December 1 (when rebuilding the goalkeeper tandem), the team led 2-0 against the Dallas Stars in the third phase of Game 7 and succumbed to the first round for the second time in three seasons. It was the fourth largest PTS % team since the 2017-18 season, surpassing the second round in only eight seasons, even though they did win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Related: Avalanche’s Nelson signing means more deals
While Colorado’s core forward team is composed with Nathan Mackinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, Martin Necas, Brock Nelson and Gabriel Landeskog, the bottom six, the bottom six, are the bottom six. Jack Drury, Parker Kelly and Logan O’Connor (who was healthy) should keep their place, while the trio of Charlie Coyle, Ross Colton and Miles Wood are the main trade candidates. Assuming they are not immediately replaced as part of any potential transaction, the gap needs to be filled.
Let’s jump into three free agent forwards who can find a place in the avalanche squad in the 2025-26 season. All contract forecasts are provided by AFP Analysis.
Anthony Mantha, Calgary Flame
2024-25 Statistics: 13 games (GP) – 4 goals (G) – 3 assists (A) – 7 points (PTS)
The first goal of the Avalanche is a familiar name, hoping to restore a stagnant career. Veteran forward Anthony Mantha (who was 31 in October) has three 20-goal seasons, but he has spent much of his career struggling with injuries and consistency.
Mantha signed a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames last summer but appeared in just 13 games before suffering a knee injury at the end of the season. Throughout his career, he has played only 70 or more games in a season and may have to accept a one-year contract with a league minimum ($775,000) or professional selection (PTO) as the lifeline.
Mansha scored 25 goals and 44 points before the injury and could be very motivated to perform his last chance to extend his time in the NHL. He scored 23 goals in 74 games between the Washington Capitals and the Las Vegas Golden Cavaliers in the 2023-24 game, so there is recent evidence of his shooting talent.
The avalanche should be alert (see Jonathan Drewin’s time in Colorado), but a wealthy reward contract can be buried entirely among minors, which is a fair compromise for both parties. Landeskog can move anywhere in the lineup, so having Mantha sit in the top six, essentially Drouin can be a low-risk gamble with a nice payoff.
Anthony Beauvillier, capital of Washington
2024-25 Statistics: 81 GP – 15 G – 10 A – 25 points
The next free agent forward targets 28-year-old winger Anthony Beauvillier, who has played for six teams in the past three seasons and has been unable to hold on since spending nearly seven seasons with the New York Islanders.
Beauvillier started the 2024-25 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 13 goals in 63 games before sending to the Capital at the trade deadline. He struggled to adapt to his new team in the regular season, scoring six points in 10 playoff games this spring, which is surprisingly one of Washington’s most influential players.
AFP expects that due to its relative youth, over-average offensive impact (6 seasons or more) and playoff experience (two trips with the Islanders, two trips with the Islanders), Blier’s average annual value (AAV) is $3.22 million, or $3.22 million.
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This number may make the avalanche a little rich, but it can convince the veterans forward to raise his numbers in shorter, cheaper deals, hoping to boost his numbers in a more dangerous environment. Beauvillier’s experience playing the top nine characters, but was not heavily used in free throw kills. There might be a game here, but Colorado may be looking for cheaper options elsewhere.
Florida Black Panther Thomas Nose
2024-25 Statistics: 59 gp – 1 g – 8 A – 9 points
The third and final target is 32-year-old forward Tomas Nosek, who successfully ran to the Stanley Cup with the Panthers and played 16 playoff games this spring (3 points) and is a useful utility player.
Nosek’s offensive contribution has dropped in recent seasons (10 goals in his last 161 regular season games), but he remains a multi-purpose skater who can play in all three forward positions and is a reliable killing free throw option. He averaged only two minutes per game, while shorts ranked third among Florida’s forwards in the regular season.
The veteran winger is clearly the fourth option for this in his career, and Avalanche may be looking for someone with more offensive punches, but the nose can bear O’Connor’s murder fine until he returns and releases other forwards to play more. In terms of its value, the Panthers make up 53% of all shooting percentages, while Nosek’s 59% of all scoring opportunities make up a five-on-five chance on the ice.
The key to the avalanche’s plan is that he shouldn’t have bankrupted either, as AFP expects his next contract to be signed with a $916,000 AAV. More salary may need to be allocated to rebuild the blue line behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews, so trading at a minimum positive value is ideal this summer.
Avalanche will have to look for cheap goods in free agency
With Nelson re-signing and the Defence Force that needs to be re-demolized, the avalanche will be thin in the upper limit space, prohibiting several industries involving the six forwards above. Even if these players are moved to create more breathing space, bargaining works are crucial to building the depth behind the team stars.
The Panthers have made steady contributions from both sides of the puck, which has brought several skaters to a minimum or slightly higher. Can the Avalanche successfully imitate the Stanley Cup championship?
Data are provided by Natural Statistical Skills, NHL and Puckpedia.
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