The Colorado Avalanche, after an unexpectedly early exit from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, find themselves in a precarious salary cap situation. With limited cap space and key free agents to consider, General Manager Chris MacFarland may be forced to make some tough decisions and explore the trade market to create flexibility. Here are three Avalanche players who might be on the move in the near future:

1. Charlie Coyle: Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Boston Bruins, Coyle was brought in to solidify the Avalanche's third-line center position. While he finished the season strong, his $5.25 million cap hit is a significant amount for a third-line player, especially with the emergence of Ross Colton as a capable alternative. Several sources point to Coyle as a likely trade candidate. His one year remaining on his contract could be attractive to teams seeking a veteran center with offensive capabilities. The Avalanche may need to convince Coyle to waive his no-movement clause. Moving Coyle would free up valuable cap space to address other needs, such as re-signing key free agents.

2. Miles Wood: Wood, another depth winger, signed with the Avalanche prior to the 2024-25 season. While his $2.5 million cap hit is less than Coyle's, his injury proneness and inconsistent performance make him a potential trade candidate. Wood has four years remaining on his contract, which could make him more difficult to move, and he also possesses a six-team no-trade list, further complicating matters. If the Avalanche can find a team willing to take on Wood's contract, it would provide additional cap relief. However, they might need to include a sweetener, such as a draft pick or prospect, to facilitate a trade.

3. Ryan Lindgren: While the Avalanche bolstered their blueline by acquiring Ryan Lindgren from the New York Rangers before the trade deadline, re-signing him may prove difficult due to cap constraints. Lindgren is a pending unrestricted free agent, and it is believed that he'll likely command a salary near his current $4.5 million. Given the Avalanche's limited cap space, it is unlikely that they will re-sign Lindgren unless he agrees to a significantly lower salary. Lindgren's future with the team could also be tied to the health status of defenseman Josh Manson, who missed a large portion of the 2024-25 season due to injury.

The Avalanche face a challenging offseason as they attempt to navigate their salary cap situation and address their roster needs. Trading one or more of these players could provide the flexibility needed to re-sign key free agents, add depth, and ultimately compete for a Stanley Cup in the coming seasons.