Colorado Avalanche's Nicolas Roy in Prove It Season to Earn an Extension
As it stands right now, the Colorado Avalanche has a tad over $400,000 left in cap space heading into the 2026-27 season. They are in a tight spot when it comes to signing free agents and giving out extensions to players currently on their roster.
One of the big names is defenseman Cale Makar, who could garner an annual average value (AAV) up to $20 million a season. Another player who is eligible for an extension, who may not be as high up on the priority list, is center Nicolas Roy.
Is a Nicolas Roy Extension Possible?
Roy enters the final season of his five-year, $15 million deal, which pays him $3 million annually. He signed the deal with the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2022 and was part of the trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, including Mitch Marner.
Now with his third team in two seasons, Roy will be looking for an extension. According to AFP Analytics, a projected extension could be a two-year, $4.040 AAV, with the overall number coming out to $8.081 million. With the cap possibly going up to $113 million for the 2027-28 season, there is a good chance there is enough room to extend Roy.
During the 2025-26 season, Roy had five goals and 20 points in 59 games with the Maple Leafs before being traded to the Avalanche. In the 15 games with the Avalanche, he tallied three goals and five points in 15 games. That's a .33 points per game (PPG) average compared to the .34 he had with the Maple Leafs.
Roy, as of right now, is slated as the third-line center for head coach Jared Bednar's side entering the season. However, he could swap over to the right wing if the Avalanche want to move Nazem Kadri to that spot. Either way, he could prove to be a pivotal asset to the middle six for the team in 2026-27.
Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, Roy had four straight seasons of having 30 or more points. During the 2023-24 season in Vegas, he had 41 points, two seasons removed from having 39. Roy does have a track record of tallying some pretty good numbers as a middle-to-bottom six forward.
That being said, can he replicate that in his first full season in Colorado? There is a chance for the 29-year-old, who will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, 2027, at 30 years old. It'll come down to the ice time he gets throughout the season. Roy averaged 13:18 during the 15 regular-season games for the Avalanche and then 12:01 in the playoffs. If he can get back to over 14 minutes per game, he could have a shot at another 35- to 40-point season.
However, it plays out, Roy will be looking to have a huge season in Denver in hopes of garnering a contract extension with the Avalanche. Only time will tell if he earns one as the 2026-27 season progresses.
Zach Martin is originally from Northeast Ohio, but has resided in South Carolina since 2016. He has been a credentialed hockey writer with The Hockey Writers since 2023 as the Carolina Hurricanes beat writer, where he has written player profiles, storylines, game recaps, general pieces and more. Zach had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Stanley Cup Final as credentialed media covering the Carolina Hurricanes. He's written about ESPN's Mike Monaco, along with player exclusives over the last couple of years. Zach has also covered games for the World Juniors, IIHF World Championships, and the 2026 Winter Olympics. He has also covered the Colorado Avalanche and some other NHL teams at large over his time with THW.