Avs make three more depth signings, including forward with 477 NHL games

Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic continues to add to the Avs roster on the first day of NHL free agency.

The headline is Colorado signing forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year deal. He’s a possible replacement for Valeri Nichushkin, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets last week.

Sakic then inked defenseman Noah Juulsen, providing the Avs more depth on the blue-line.

When it looked like Colorado might be done, the team announced the signings of forward Vinnie Hinostroza, forward Adam Beckman and defenseman Domenick Fensore.

Hinostroza is by far the most intriguing name and has legitimate NHL experience, playing in 477 career games.

We have signed forward Vinnie Hinostroza to a two-year deal 📝 pic.twitter.com/qJqrJiewry

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 1, 2026

Hinostroza is 32-years-old and split the 2025-26 season between the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers. He registered 18 points (six goals, / 12 assists) in 65 games between the clubs.

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound forward was traded to the Panthers on March 6 and finished the campaign with eight points in 17 games in Florida. Hinostroza has compiled 179 points (65 goals, 114 assists) with the Panthers, Wild, Predators, Penguins, Sabres, Blackhawks and Coyotes throughout his career. 

It’s likely that Hinostroza will compete for a role on the Avs fourth-line, while Beckman and Fensore initially start with the AHL affiliate Eagles. 

The Schwartz and Juulsen signings took Colorado to about $1.28 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. Assuming Hinostroza is on an NHL deal, the Avs will have essentially zero money left to spend (for this year) the rest of the summer. 

A Cale Makar contract extension remains a huge priority, but that wouldn’t kick in until the 2027-28 season.

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