The Colorado Avalanche have been busy this offseason. They re-signed vital free agents, filled out the forward group, and loaded up the defensive core, but are they done making changes and signing new names? More specifically, do they offer anyone a professional tryout contract (PTO) to see how they might fit with the team during training camp? There are few high-quality talents still available on the free-agent market, so it makes sense to offer tryouts rather than guaranteed contracts at this point. This approach involves minimal risk and has the potential for a payoff.
The Avalanche’s last PTO fit very well and helped the team in the long run: Joel Kiviranta came into training camp last season on one. He didn’t earn an NHL contract right away, starting the season in the American Hockey League (AHL), but he earned one thanks to his hard work. In 56 games last season, he scored three goals and recorded nine points.
He played bottom-six minutes, was great on the penalty kill, and even helped in the playoffs with a goal and an assist. With the 2024 training camp approaching, here are the three best remaining free agents the Avalanche could offer a PTO. Dominik Kubalik (LW) The Avalanche already did their share of scouting the Ottawa Senators when they signed former Senator and first-round pick Erik Brannstrom to the team; Dominik Kubalik, a proven scoring winger, is another one.
Kubalik, 29 years old, had a rough season in Ottawa compared to his previous seasons with the C.