Should Colorado Take A Chance And Bring Back Former Avalanche Star?

The Colorado Avalanche have undergone numerous changes to their roster this season, including their blockbuster trade of star winger Mikko Rantanen. But on Thursday, a former Avs star became an unrestricted free agents -- and the possibility of him returning to Denver could be very appealing to Avalanche management.

The player we're speaking of is winger Brandon Saad -- a 32-year-old winger who spent one year with Colorado in the 2020-21 campaign. Saad had his contract terminated by the St. Louis Blues Thursday, putting an abrupt end to a contract that was paying him $4.5 million per season. Saad could've dug in his feet and tried to play out the final season of that contract next year, but he obviously still feels he can contribute, even if the Blues feel otherwise. And being determined to prove his worth could lead to a rebound second half of the season for him.

In Saad's one year with the Avs, he posted 15 goals and 24 points in 44 games in the shortened NHL regular season -- and in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, Saad amassed seven goals and eight points in 10 games. Meanwhile, last year in St. Louis, Saad generated 26 goals and 42 points in 82 games. And this season, Saad put up seven goals and 16 points in 43 games with the Blues. He may well be past his prime, but if a team can sign him for, say, the league minimum salary, he'd be a potentially great bargain on the right team.

Related: Official: Avalanche Deal Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in Shocking Blockbuster Trade

Could that team be the Avs? They're in need of depth players on the wing, and Saad's experience may serve Colorado well. And if a return doesn't work out, the Avalanche could easily cut ties with Saad and send him to the American League.

It's a straightforward gamble, but it's one that could work out well for the Avs. We're betting at least a couple of teams will be interested in adding Saad to their lineup, and it says here that the Avalanche should be one of them. Saad is a low-risk, decent-reward asset at the moment, and the Avs could benefit from taking a chance on him.