NHL Rumors: 3 Colorado Avalanche Who Aren't Expected Back Next Season

The Colorado Avalanche can't win Game 7's. Once again, they reached the winner-take-all game, and once again, this time by the Dallas Stars, were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Avalanche had a wild season on and off the ice, and there's no doubt changes will be coming to their roster heading into next season. GM Chris MacFarland has his work cut out for him to keep Nathan MacKinnon happy, after dealing close friend Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen landed in Dallas, and wound up scoring a hat trick in the third period of Game 7, talk about irony.

Here's three Avalanche who aren't expected back next season:

Brock Nelson

Nelson was great for the Avalanche, but he's not a realistic option for next season, considering the team has just over $8 million in current available cap space. Nelson recorded four assists in the first round, but wasn't able to hit the back of the net, which didn't help the Avs' chances of beating the Stars. Nelson will price himself out of Colorado this summer, and keep an eye on the Minnesota Wild.

Erik Johnson

This could be it for the 37-year-old blueliner, who is set to hit the open market this summer. Colorado gave him the reunion he was looking for before the trade deadline, and Johnson managed to dress in two of the first-round matchups. No word yet if Johnson will retire, but it would be quite fitting if he did so as a member of the Avs.

Jonathan Drouin

Drouin will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and given the Avalanche financial situation, could be in tough to find the contract he wants in Colorado. Drouin recorded just three assists in seven games against Dallas, and like Nelson, wasn't able to get one past Stars' netminder Jake Oettinger. Colorado is likely to move on and replace Drouin with a player who plays a more in your face style of hockey, better suited for playoff success.