The Colorado Avalanche are expected to invite one or two players to training camp on a PTO (professional tryout). However, the free agent market is limited, with remaining players raising questions about their performance. Thus, a tryout seems more logical than offering guaranteed contracts, allowing the team to assess these players during camp and potentially sign them without much risk.

Last fall, Joel Kiviranta attended camp on a PTO and, while he initially didn’t secure an NHL deal, he later proved himself in the AHL and earned a contract.

Here are some potential candidates for the Avalanche to consider for training camp:

Dominik Kubalik.

The Avalanche scouted the Ottawa Senators last season, and while they may not have been impressed with Kubalik, he could be a viable option as a scoring winger. Although he primarily focuses on scoring and had a disappointing season last year, he previously scored between 15-30 goals in the four seasons before that.

Steven Lorentz.

Lorentz is still without an NHL contract as of August 17, making him a candidate for a training camp invite. He is a large, physical player with penalty-killing experience and can play center. At 28, he is a Stanley Cup champion and could serve as a valuable depth addition.

Filip Zadina.

While Zadina may not reach the potential expected of him when he was drafted 6th overall in 2018, he could still be a useful camp addition for a team needing skill. After signing with San Jose last summer for more playing time and failing to secure a significant role, he is running out of opportunities to prove himself in the NHL.

James van Riemsdyk.

With over 1,000 games of experience, the veteran forward had 38 points last season with the Bruins. His ability to keep pace with the Avalanche is uncertain, but a PTO could clarify whether he still has scoring potential.