The Colorado Avalanche’s offseason hasn’t gone particularly well following their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Dallas Stars. They’ve seen several players depart—guys they invested notable assets in—and so far, their response has been limited to just a few moves. The team added again to the roster, this time bringing in another young player who still needs time to grow and refine his game.
Top veteran defenseman is the latest addition to the Avalanche, joining the team on a two-year entry-level contract.
The 23-year-old was a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Draft and spent his entire college career with the New Hampshire Wildcats, where he served as a two-time captain. Over four seasons, he posted 48 points from the blue line (seven goals, 41 assists). His senior campaign was his most productive, leading all Wildcats defensemen with 17 points in 35 games and earning a spot on the Hockey East Third All-Star Team for the second year in a row.
At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, the left-shot blueliner brings size to the organization, which hopes to mold him into a reliable NHL option down the road.
Meanwhile, general manager Chris MacFarland has drawn criticism for a relatively quiet offseason. The Avalanche still have several roster gaps as training camp approaches, and with a little over \$2 million in cap space, there’s room to make another signing. However, the front office has yet to show much urgency. While Gagne’s signing is a solid move for the future, it does little to help Colorado contend right now as the championship window with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog continues to narrow.
This move further reflects the Avalanche’s apparent intent to keep last season’s core largely intact heading into 2025-26.