The Colorado Avalanche are facing a key roster gap this offseason after forward Jonathan Drouin officially parted ways with the team — and no replacement has been signed as of yet. The situation has sparked concern among fans and analysts about Colorado’s depth heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
Drouin, who enjoyed a bounce-back year with the Avs in 2024-25, played a crucial secondary scoring role and found chemistry on various lines throughout the campaign. His departure leaves a noticeable void on the wing, and with free agency moving fast, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland is under increasing pressure to act.
No Clear Plan Yet
Despite several talented free agents still on the market, the Avalanche have yet to make a corresponding move. With a top-heavy roster already reliant on core stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the lack of depth could become a serious issue if not addressed quickly.
“Losing a playmaker like Drouin without a contingency plan is risky,” said one NHL analyst. “Colorado’s top-six remains dangerous, but they can’t afford to go into October with this much uncertainty in the bottom six.”
Cap Space Crunch?
Part of the hesitation may be cap-related. The Avalanche are tight on space and have other priorities, including re-signing younger assets and navigating potential trades. Still, fans expected at least a veteran signing to maintain offensive balance.
What’s Next? Colorado could still explore trade options or low-cost signings, but time is ticking. With training camps just a few months away, fans are growing restless.
POLL: How Should the Avalanche Replace Drouin?
Sign a veteran winger from free agency
Promote from within the system
Make a trade for a scoring forward
Don’t replace him — focus on defense instead
Cast your vote and join the conversation below.
Discover more from VIEWINFOR
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
