Avalanche Need To Add 3rd Line Forward & 3rd Pairing Defenseman

Colorado Avalanche players celebrate a goal

The Colorado Avalanche are potentially going to move on from a handful of pretty important players in the offseason and there is work that needs to be done. At least all of the players they acquired this season weren't on expiring contracts. But at this time, there's no indication that Brock Nelson, Jonathan Drouin, or Ryan Lindgren will be returning.

This opens up some decent roles to be filled if the Avalanche want to come back next season and be a Stanley Cup contender. The high-end talent is one of the very best, but the depth needs to keep up. Nelson was the second line center, Drouin was on the wing in the top-6 and Lindgren could play on the second or third pairing.

With Gabriel Landeskog back, the subtraction of Drouin doesn't seem that bad. It's also not exactly ideal, but Charlie Coyle could be the second line center moving forward until a better option becomes available. He has done it in the past, but him in a third line role is what indicates the Avalanche are ready to go on a deep run.

The Avalanche can't go into next season with Parker Kelly as a third line player and Keaton Middleton as a sixth defenseman. Kelly can be an option on the fourth line and Middleton an option to play when there's injuries. There are plenty of players in free agency that can at least be upgrades in these roles and Colorado can't sit back and not address their holes.