After scoring a career-best 28 goals in 2023, Olofsson fell out of favour in Buffalo in 2024, playing just 51 games. Olofsson's two-way game needs refining, but he is a solid middle-6 scoring winger who can also help out on the power play. After Vegas lost Marchessault, Stephenson, Amadio, Mantha, and Carrier, they needed some cheap upside on the wing.
Colorado added to its depth on Monday by signing Parker Kelly to two-year deal worth $1.65 million ($825K AAV). The 25-year-old had a career year in 2023-24, with eight goals, 10 assists, 30 PIMs and 86 SOG in 80 games played.
Joel Kiviranta will return to the Avalanche after a successful first season with Colorado after signing a one-year contract extension on Monday. The 28-year-old left-winger appeared in 56 games with Colorado in 2023-24, scoring three goals, nine points, 12 PIMs and 48 SOG.
Montreal has added to their depth by signing winger Alex Barre-Boulet to a one-year, $775,000 contract on Monday. The 27-year-old centre put up career highs in games payed (36), goals (6) and points (9) in 2023-24 with Tampa Bay.
MacDonald will return to Colorado where he spent three seasons between 2020 and 2023 after signing a two-year, two-way contract on Monday with the Avalanche. The 31-year-old hybrid defenseman broke his career high in goals (7) in 2023-24, and finished with nine points and 23 PIMs in 34 games played.
Nashville has locked up its backup goaltender for the 2024-25 season after signing Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV). The 31-year-old will join his fourth team in seven seasons after putting up an impressive 16-7-5 record in 2023-24 with a .285 GAA and .899 SV% backing up Jake Oettinger.
Lehkonen will undergo shoulder surgery in the near future, and his availability for 2024-25 training camp is "going to be close," according to GM Chris MacFarland.
Miner was Colorado's 2019 seventh-round pick (202nd overall) and signed a one-year, two-way contract extension on Tuesday. The 23-year-old spent the 2023-24 season with 29 games played split between the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) and has had an +.910 SV in his first three years with Utah.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and will play in Game 5 on Wednesday after practicing in full. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Toews was hit high by Dallas' captain Jamie Benn in the second period of Game 2 and was forced to leave before returning in the third period and is not feeling any effects on Friday according to head coach Jared Bednar. The 30-year-old has been a staple on Colorado's back-end all playoffs, with a goal, five points, 10 SOG and +5 plus/minus while averaging 23:49 TOI/GP.
Kiviranta missed the Avalanche's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury and is a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Dallas after missing practice on Monday. The 28-year-old averaged 10:14 TOI/GP in the opening series and had an assist, two PIMs, three SOG and a +2 plus/minus in three games.
Kiviranta did not play Sunday's 5-1 game-four victory over the Winnipeg Jets and could miss a second straight game. In the series' first three games, Kiviranta tallied one assist and nine hits while averaging 10:14 ice time.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and was considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but appears ready to return. Caleb Jones will sit in his place.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and is considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but is on the cusp of returning. If he is unable to go, Caleb Jones will continue to lock down Colorado's third defensive pairing role.
