If you like NHL betting on the playoffs last season the Colorado Avalanche was one name you did not hear. The Avalanche may hold a handful of NHL records for finding early success after relocation, but lately Colorado hasn’t been able to find much of anything. In 1996 after the team relocated from Quebec to Denver the Avalanche was able to not only win the Pacific Division, but also the Stanley Cup Finals by sweeping the Florida Panthers. During their first ten years at Denver the franchise won 9 division titles and made the playoffs each year.
They made the Stanley Cup Finals twice and were able to walk away victorious each time, becoming the only NHL club to win every Finals appearance. While their early success saw them set a record for most consecutive sold out games, their recent play has struggled to fill stadiums. Last season the Avalanche posted a measly 39 – 39 – 4 record and were 5 points shy of making the playoffs via wild card. Now the team prepares for the future and with a couple of offseason additions they’re hoping next year has a more pleasant ending.
Colorado’s offseason proves this team is committed to long-term success. The team isn’t exactly where they want it to be, but they know they’ll get there. In order to do so the Avalanche has to lock up key players to long term deals and they made sure to do exactly that this offseason. In 2013 the Avalanche selected Nathan MacKinnon with the first overall pick and they’re not about to let their draft pick play for another franchise. Colorado inked the center to a 7-year deal worth $44.1 million. While he may not be known for putting up a tremendous amount of points, MacKinnon is a solid player and will be an important part of Colorado’s future success.
Staying true to their future commitment the Avs have signed Tyson Barrie to a 4-year deal. Barrie formerly played for the American Hockey League but got called to the majors a few years back. Last season the defenseman showed what he is capable of by amounting 49 points during the regular season. But re-signing current players won’t guarantee future success, in order to that teams need to bring in new talent.
If teams want to find quick success then they have to pick their free agents successfully integrating into their program. Colorado is taking that gamble by bringing in former Bruin Joe Colborne. Colborne is a decent point scorer who will find success in the right system and will make many NHL betting fans happy. Last season he posted and NHL career high 44 points and that was enough to impress the Avalanche. The ‘Lanches signed Colborne to a 2-year deal worth $2.5 million, a deal which turned out to be favorable for both sides.
Signing free agents isn’t the only way to bring in new talent for your club and the Avs proved this by trading for Rocco Grimaldi. They may have parted ways with Reto Berra but in return received a forward they so desperately needed. This offseason the Avalanche had to part ways with Alex Tanguay, Mikkel Boedker, and Shawn Matthias. All three players were forwards and it is important for them to address this void.
If you’re inclined to pick the Avalanche when attempting NHL betting futures, the sportsbooks might try to talk you out of it. Colorado currently sits at +3550 odds to win it all next year and while they may have had a productive offseason, this team is still a long way off from becoming champions.