Of the Avalanche’s three forward spots, right wing is likely the weakest. On the roster last season, Jarome Iginla and Jack Skille were the only two natural right wingers. Iginla will most definitely be in the fold next season, but Skille (an unrestricted free agent) is unlikely to be back.
That being said, many of the Avalanche’s forwards showed the ability to play the position. When asked at points last season, Blake Comeau, Gabriel Landeskog, Andreas Martinsen, Shawn Matthias and others moved over to the right side, with varying degrees of success.
Though he’s a natural center (and shoots left), Matt Duchene spent the majority of the season on the right side. Of all the aforementioned players, he figures to have to potential to factor in the Avalanche’s plans for the position the most.
For the purposes of this article, we will assume that at least one of the aforementioned players will move to the right side next season. Prospect J.T. Compher will probably start at right wing, should he make the team. Mikko Rantanen can play the position as well.
Still, in spite of all of these factors, the Avalanche will need to add at least one (maybe two) right wingers this offseason. Ideally, the addition will be able to play in the team’s top-six.
Here’s a look at five right wingers the Avalanche should consider this offseason:
2015-2016 stats: GP: 56 G: 8 A: 12 P: 20 +/-: 2 PIM: 73
If the Avalanche are looking to add someone relatively cheap for a bottom-six role, Stewart should be their top target. He’s huge and mean, and can still skate pretty well for his size (231 pounds).
A first round draft pick (18th overall) by the Avalanche in 2006, his offensive production has nosedived since he was traded by Colorado to the St. Louis Blues in the Erik Johnson deal. That being said, he used to be a highly-touted power forward prospect.
Even if he doesn’t rediscover the form that saw him score 28 goals for the Avs in 2009-2010, he does have good enough offensive instincts to fill in in a top-six spot in a pinch. Plus, the Avalanche have the perfect player to tutor Stewart in Jarome Iginla.
Stewart’s familiarity with the organization, size, ability to play on any line and likely low cost make him an intriguing player to consider. If there are no hurt feelings, the Avalanche should give him a call on July 1.
Estimated cost: $1.75-2.75 million per season.
2015-2016 stats: GP: 82 G: 18 A: 21 P: 39 +/-: 2 PIM: 62
Likely to be one of the more coveted players on the free agent market this summer, it might be a slight disservice to Brouwer to not have him higher on this list. That being said, I have my reasons.
After the playoffs Brouwer just had with the Blues, somebody is likely to open their wallet nice and wide for the forward. I just don’t think it should be the Avalanche. Sure, they will probably kick the tires. He does have a Stanley Cup ring from his time with the Blackhawks. Still, I worry that there might be some confusion as to what Brouwer is.
In my mind, Brouwer is a very good third line winger. He is defensively responsible, physical and has some offensive ability. Sure, he lit the lamp this postseason, but aside from the Stanley Cup run with Chicago (when he had four goals and eight points in 19 games), this was the first time he was a real difference maker offensively in the playoffs.
Call it Bickell-phobia, but I fear that Brouwer should not be overvalued because of one good run. If he gets signed to too big of a deal, there will be too big of expectations. There is no guarantee he will be able to produce at a level to justify what he will likely get paid. In my opinion, if a team signs Brouwer to be an offensive catalyst, they will likely regret it.
Estimated cost: $4.5-5.5 million per season.
3. Kyle Okposo
Team: New York Islanders Age: 28 Status: UFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 79 G: 22 A: 42 P: 64 +/-: -4 PIM: 51
The true prize of the right wing market, Okposo will have his fair share of suitors this summer. While the talent is there, I am not sure how great of a fit he would be for the Avalanche however.
Okposo is a power forward, who is actually a very good passer. His finishing ability does leave a little to be desired however. His scoring has also been streaky during his career.
Still, Okposo’s offensive ability is not why I would be apprehensive to sign him at the price he will command. The Avalanche’s biggest problems are possession, turnovers and defensive responsibility. Okposo’s possession numbers are marginal, at best. His decision-making with the puck is questionable, at times. Finally, he is unquestionably a liability in his own zone.
Okposo will get paid, and he should. That being said, he needs to go somewhere with a strong enough system in place, and strong enough defensive play, to compensate for his play in his own end. Unfortunately, that is simply not the Avalanche.
Estimated cost: $6.5-7.5 million per season.
2. Michael Grabner
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs Age: 28 Status: UFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 80 G: 9 A: 9 P: 19 +/-: -4 PIM: 12
Grabner does not have the numbers to justify being this high on the list. His one 30-goal season was an aberration. In fact, since that season in 2010-2011, he has never scored more than 20. The reason that he is this high is that, in theory, he is a perfect fit for the Avalanche systematically.
Grabner has blazing speed, rivaling even that of Duchene and MacKinnon. He also has good finish in transition. Where he struggles is when his team is set up in the offensive zone.
Most importantly, Grabner is sound defensively and excels on the penalty kill. Don’t let the minus-4 rating from last season fool you, it could have been much worse on a terrible Toronto Maple Leafs team. He has great stick skills and a penchant for creating turnovers. This also makes him a weapon offensively when his team is shorthanded, as he has shown the keen ability to put the puck in the net on the penalty kill.
This is another more affordable option for the Avalanche, which could be a large selling point considering the restricted free agents they have to sign this summer. If any team could maximize Grabner’s talent, in theory, it should be the Avs.
Estimated cost: $2.5-3.5 million per season.
1. Alexander Radulov
Team: CSKA Moskva (KHL) Age: 29 Status: UFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 53 G: 23 A: 42 P: 65 +/-: 28 PIM: 73
The Avalanche’s most likely signing, and he should be. Radulov has been a superstar in the KHL and has the talent to be the same in the NHL.
His past stints on this side of the pond with the Nashville Predators have been good offensively. The issue with Radulov has been his attitude; which is something Patrick Roy, his former coach in juniors, apparently thinks he can control.
Radulov is an off-side winger. He dazzles with the puck, thinks the game at a high level and has the ability to both pass and finish. The most important thing he brings to the table however, is passion. A sore loser, he will do anything to get the “w.”
Radulov was reportedly making over $9 million a season in the KHL, a number he is almost guaranteed not to reach in the NHL. While that much is almost certain, his market value is almost impossible to accurately gauge. Still, if you believe Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov, Radulov will most likely be wearing burgundy and blue next season.
Estimated cost: $4.25-5.25 million.