Why Noah Juulsen Is a Smart Low-Risk Signing for Colorado Avalanche
No one expected the Colorado Avalanche to make a big splash when NHL free agency opened. They had already done much of their work in the offseason.
They just continued with their plan and strengthened their roster with another practical addition.
The Avalanche signed veteran defenseman Noah Juulsen to a two-year, $2.2 million contract. This brings an experienced right-shot defenseman who adds depth to the roster without breaking the salary cap.
This move probably won’t generate a lot of excitement, but for Colorado, he is just what they needed.
Adding Depth on the Right Side
Colorado’s roster is full of talent, but one place they could use a little help was depth on the defense and specifically on the right side.
Juulsen has nearly a decade of experience in the NHL. He has spent time with the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks.
His career began riddled with injuries that slowed his progress after being drafted. Now, though, he is a dependable, physical defenseman who can step into the lineup and produce immediately.
Last season, Juulsen appeared in 49 NHL games, where he was credited with 10 points while also recording 101 hits and 43 blocked shots. These numbers explain the exact player Colorado wanted to add. He’s not a high-scoring defenseman; rather, he is one who is willing to play physical, defense-first style hockey.
A Low-Risk Investment
Given that the Avalanche didn’t have a lot of money to work with regarding the salary cap, Juulsen’s contract was important.
The contract has an average annual value of $1.1 million. This is providing affordable depth while still giving the team room to finish up deals and extensions still looming.
General Manager Chris MacFarland spent the offseason improving the roster. He re-signed Brent Burns and Bret Kulak while also acquiring veteran winger Jaden Schwartz in free agency to bolster the forward group.
The Juulsen move fits right in.
The defenseman doens’t need to log a lot of time each night to prove his signing was worthy. He gives Colorado the option, when needed, to have someone on the ice who can contribute on the penalty kill and provide some insurance during the long grind of the season.
Championship teams are built on depth and that is exactly what the Avalanche have and will continue to do.
Juulsen isn’t the headline grabber on the first day of free agency, but he is a very smart move. An experienced defenseman at a modest cost will pay divideds over and over again.
Laura Lambert resides in Wiggins, Colo. with her husband, Ricky and two sons, Brayden and Boedy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado while studying economics. She is an accomplished rodeo athlete and barrel horse trainer along with being a life-long sports fan. Over the years, Laura has been active in journalism in a variety of roles. While continuing to cover western sports and country music, she is currently enjoying expanding her reach into multiple sports including MLB, NHL, NCAA and WNBA. Laura covers the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Avalanche and Rodeo for On SI. You can reach her at lauralambertmedia@gmail.com