Free agency opened recently for the NHL, and the Colorado Avalanche, who made their first signing of the day, Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz joins the organization after spending the last five years with the Seattle Kraken, where he was an assistant captain.


Schwartz is a 34-year-old left-handed shooter who spent his time growing up in Colorado, playing at Colorado College. He was the 14th overall pick in 2010, selected by the St. Louis Blues.

He brings championship pedigree, as he won the Stanley Cup with the Blues over the Boston Bruins back in 2019. Now, he’ll look to push Colorado over the hump for a second time.


Schwartz played in only 50 games for the Kraken last season. He netted 11 goals while having 15 assists for 26 points.

This past season, he recorded an average of just over 16 minutes a night. His best career year came over a decade ago, when he scored 28 goals and had 35 assists in 2015.


Schwartz was also a key member in helping the Kraken beat the Avalanche in their first playoff series back in 2023. In 14 playoff games that season, he scored five goals and tallied five assists.

Schwartz can play up and down the lineup, but spent most of last season on the third line for Seattle. He’s a good utility winger and can slot in where needed, which might be the role for him based on Colorado’s situation.

Speaking of Colorado’s situation, his contract didn’t come without a price. Colorado signed him as a free agent for three years, with an AAV of $3.25 million.


Schwartz’s contract leaves only about $1.5 million left in cap space for Jared Bednar and Joe Sakic to work with and build the rest of the team. After dumping the contracts of Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Valeri Nichushkin, the Schwartz move makes more sense.

However, Colorado still has work to do on both ends of the ice. There is still time to make moves and sign additional free agents, but less to work with. Time will tell what else the Avalanche gets up to in the coming hours.