Colorado Avalanche: 10 UFA Defensemen the Avalanche May Target

The Colorado Avalanche had a horrible season, there is no denying that.  They were last in the league in goals against per game (3.45) and goals allowed (287). 

Injuries certainly took their toll on the Avalanche defensive core this year, but that was far from the only reason they were so bad.

Several players looked quite inexperienced throughout the season, constantly being out of position, being too aggressive or just plain making bad plays in their own zone.

The Avalanche have a couple very strong defensive prospects signed to entry level contracts for next season, Stefan Elliot and Tyson Barrie, but they may still need a few more pieces to solidify their defensive core even more.

Previously, I talked about how the Avalanche might look to free agency to help remedy their goalie situation.

This time, let's take a look at what unrestricted free agent defensemen the Avalanche might be interested in signing.

Tomas Kaberle

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins passes the puck in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 14, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Montreal Canadiens def

6'1", 198 lbs

Kaberle might be the most prized defenseman on the free agent market, though, I wager Boston will probably manage to retain him after trading for him.

Still, Kaberle is a solid defender with a great shot.  His shot is so effortless, too.  It doesn't even look like he's putting all he has into the shot, which can definitely fool goalies.

This great shot makes him very useful on the power play because he is also very good at getting his shots through traffic and on goal.

The Avalanche would be silly to not be interested in this guy, whether or not they actually end up with him.

Steve Montador

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers is held by Steve Montador #4 of the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 20

6'0", 211 lbs

Montador isn't the biggest defenseman out there, but he is still very tough. 

He plays a very physical game and isn't afraid to back things up with his fists if he needs to.

He's got a great reach and remains very solid in his own zone.  His plus-16 rating shows that he is able to be out on the ice without allowing goals against. 

The Avalanche are small all around, and a guy like Montador would really help out with the toughness and physicality on the defense. 

The Avalanche need more toughness on their team, and Montador is a guy that could really lead by example.

Joni Pitkanen

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 08: Joni Pitkanen #25 of the Carolina Hurricanes is checked by Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils during the second period of an NHL hockey game at the Prudential Center on February 8, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by

6'3", 210 lbs

Pitkanen is one of the top offensive-minded defensemen on the free agent market this year.

He's got the speed, vision and shot to be highly effective in the offensive zone, and he's got the size, physicality and skating ability to remain solid in his own end.

The size is the thing that should really interest the Avalanche the most.  They just can't keep the small defense that they had this year and expect to win games.

Jan Hejda

6'3", 229 lbs

Perhaps you've begun to notice a theme with most of these picks so far.  Not one of them is under six-feet tall so far and only one of them is under 200 lbs.

Hejda is another big defenseman that is able to take the body on players.  The clip above shows Hejda getting a very big hit on Patrick Kane, one of the hardest players in the league to get a big hit on.

Getting this guy on a penalty kill will help the Avalanche improve the league's worst penalty kill simply by increasing their physical nature.  Hejda will win those battles down low and in front of the net to keep his goalie's sight lines clear.

Hejda could be a very good addition for the Avalanche.

Jonathan Ericsson

6'5", 205 lbs

Ericsson is perhaps my favorite choice of the available choices because he will add so much intimidation to the Avalanche. Imagine this guy being paired with Ryan O'Byrne.  Yikes!

The clip above shows you exactly the kind of thing that he could add to the Avalanche.  That isn't anybody that Ericsson just tosses down to the ice like it's nothing, that's Corey Perry!  Nobody is able to do that to Perry!

Ericsson would give the Avalanche a really solid No. 1 shutdown defenseman that can play against any No. 1 line in the NHL.

Ericsson may be just the thing the Avalanche need on the blue line.

James Wisniewski

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 18: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens turns up ice with the puck in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 18

5'11", 205 lbs

Wisniewski is my departure from the large defenseman because of his offensive ability.  Wisniewski broke the 50-point mark this season, which, for a defenseman, is a gigantic number.

He was a minus-14, so he might not be the most solid player in his own zone, but he provides another offensive defenseman that would be far more effective in both zones than Matt Hunwick.

Wisniewski could make a very logical replacement for Hunwick.

Shane O'Brien

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Shane O'Brien #55 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 13, 2011 in Anaheim, California. T

6'3", 225 lbs

Shane O'Brien is another big, tough, stay-at-home defenseman. 

He's not afraid to get physical—you can't be if you play in a place that the fans refer to as "Smashville"—and his 83 penalty minutes show that he's willing to get his hands dirty.

Another installment of the bigger, more physical defenseman to come help a small and soft defensive core get a nastier edge. 

O'Brien plays in the third pairing for Nashville right now, but he could easily move to a second pair with the likes of Ryan O'Byrne, or even be paired with Kyle Quincey.

Ed Jovanovski

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DETROIT, MI - APRIL 16: Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes puts a glove in the face of Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 16,

6'2", 220 lbs

Avalanche fans all remember Jovanovski from his days with the Vancouver Canucks and know exactly what a pain it is to play against this guy.

He's big, strong, has a noticeable offensive presence and plays the game with a really nasty edge. 

I hated watching him play against the Avalanche, but I would love to see him play with the Avalanche.

The other good point to mention for Jovanovski is his veteran leadership.  The Avalanche are incredibly young and, with the retirement of Adam Foote, need some kind of a leader to step up and really guide this team.  Jovo could easily be that guy.

Eric Brewer

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Eric Brewer #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes the puck in the third period against the Boston Bruins on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. (Photo by E

6'3", 222 lbs

Eric Brewer is another veteran defenseman that stays at home and plays the game with a very physical edge.

Chances are Tampa Bay is going to use him as a building block for their team, but any team would be insane not to want this guy.

He's 31, so he probably doesn't really fit the Avalanche mold of youth, but could provide leadership, as he did serve as captain during his time in St. Louis.

He probably won't be coming to the Rocky Mountains, but it's nice to think about it.

Christian Ehrhoff

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 13: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks keeps an eye on the play while Troy Brouwer #22 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Canucks battle for position during the third period in Game One of th

6'2", 200 lbs

Christian Ehrhoff is another big defenseman that has a lot of great offensive skills.

He hit the 50-point mark this season as well and would make a lethal combination on the point with Erik Johnson.

He has experience playing with the best team in hockey right now, and a young team needs that kind of experience to help show them how to win games.

Would Vancouver let this guy go?  Well, they are going to be a bit strapped for cash at the end of this year.  They only have a bit more than $1 million of cap space, and a new contract for a defenseman that just notched you 50 points and was over 40 the past two seasons as well is not going to be a cheap one.

Ehrhoff will most likely be available to somebody.

What Will the Avalanche Do?

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Goaltender Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche is congratulated by teammates after defeating the Phoenix Coyotes in the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on April 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes

The Avalanche were absolutely decimated by injures this past season, and their defensive core was severely hit.

As a result, many starters will be returning to the lineup for the start of next season.  Players like Kyle Quincey and John-Michael Liles will be healthy and ready to go again.

In addition to those returning from injury, the Avalanche have also signed on two of their prospects, Stefan Elliot and Tyson Barrie, who will be expected to compete for roster spots next season.

All of this speaks to the possibility of the Avalanche not looking for any defenseman at all this offseason. 

All things considered, I think the Avalanche should look for at least one more defenseman to help get them bigger and tougher.

If I was going to pick one of them, I'd be torn between Ericsson and O'Brien. 

There is room for the Avalanche to make moves in their salary cap, the big question for all of this might end up boiling down to whether or not Av's owner Stan Kroenke gives the Avalanche the ability to spend any money.

Here's hoping that everybody in that organization is willing to put the energy into getting better.