Welcome to Evan’s mailbag, where each week Avalanche reporter Evan Rawal answers all your Avalanche- and hockey-related questions. Mailbag questions can be sent to [email protected].

The Avalanche were linked to Patrick Kane. What are your thoughts on bringing him in for one year?

This isn’t the first time the Avalanche have been linked to Kane. When the former Red Wings winger was returning from hip surgery, Colorado was one of the teams that showed interest. He went to Detroit, but that shows the Avalanche have done their due diligence on him in the past.

Kane’s production rate at 5-on-5 the last two seasons has been surprisingly good — much better than Dylan Larkin, which maybe says more about Larkin than Kane. Another productive 5-on-5 player wouldn’t hurt the Avalanche, but Colorado would bring in Kane for one reason: the power play.

Over the past two seasons, the Red Wings had the sixth-best power play in the league. Kane is a big reason why. He’s 27th among all NHL players with at least 200 power-play minutes during that time in points-per-60 on the man advantage. That’s just below Mikko Rantanen and above any Avalanche player. He also plays the right half wall, a weak spot for the Avalanche since they dealt Rantanen. On the man advantage, he would make a lot of sense, but the 5-on-5 fit is where things come into question.

At even strength, Kane is a liability in his own end at this point. While he still produces, he’s not putting up 100 points like he used to where you could overlook that part of his game. There’s some give and take there, and with how much the Avalanche value team defense, it would be a strange fit at 5-on-5. If the Avalanche are looking to get a little younger up front, bringing in the 37-year-old Kane would do the opposite of that.

There’s also the question of contract. Kane’s last deal had a $3 million base with the potential for $4 million more in bonuses. He hit $3 million of those bonuses. One, the Avalanche can’t fit in a base salary that high. Two, do they want to sign another bonus-laden contract that digs into their cap space for next season? Probably not.

For the power play alone, it’s an intriguing idea. Given everything else, I don’t think it’s the best fit.

What are your thoughts on Fabian Lysell? Is he a good fit and is he likely to crack the roster ahead of Fedor Svechkov or Zachary L’Heureux?

Lysell was acquired at the end of June for Ivan Ivan and signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche on Monday. Terms of that deal haven’t come out, but it’s likely a two-way deal that sees him make a lot of money if he’s in the AHL.

The Avalanche seem excited about Lysell and the potential for him to break through in a new system, one that seems tailor-made for how he likes to play. He’s been very productive in the AHL and has the pedigree as a former first-round pick, but plenty of productive AHL players have not been able to make the jump to the NHL. Undersized skill forwards must be really good (and consistent) to make the full-time leap to the NHL, so Lysell has his work cut out for him.

It would make sense for the Avalanche to give him a good look at training camp and, if he earns it, beyond that. I wouldn’t put him ahead of either of the Nashville forwards they acquired, given their NHL experience. He’s probably in the next batch that includes Gavin Brindley and T.J. Hughes, who might be better fits in the top six that will really need to show out to earn a spot.

If he doesn’t work out in the NHL, there’s no harm done. I don’t think this organization had Ivan in their long-term plans, so taking a chance on a highly skilled forward isn’t the worst idea. If nothing else, his AHL numbers show he’ll be a nice addition to the Eagles.

Which player is poised to play a bigger role than whatever lineup spot they’re currently penciled into?

Nicolas Roy. Valeri Nichushkin spent all season on a line with Brock Nelson and the two of them were Jared Bednar’s shutdown duo. With Nichushkin now in Columbus, Roy seems like the most logical linemate for Nelson if they want to continue using him in that role. Given Nelson was a Selke finalist, I see why they would.

I doubt Roy recreates Nichushkin’s offensive production from last season if he stays in that spot. But looking at the current roster, he’s the player that makes the most sense to play there. He’s a big body that has some skill and can be trusted in his own end. Unless a young forward immediately steps up and takes that spot, I see Roy taking that role.

How ready are you for the Avalanche to start training camp?

On a scale of 1-10, I’m at a 2 right now.

I love hockey. I wouldn’t be in this job if I didn’t. But the NHL season is a grind and this was a long one on the beat with a fair bit of travel. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that not obsessing over it is healthy and it’s good to take a break. I’m not just a hockey fan. I’m a sports fan. The World Cup has been a fantastic watch. And I’m a tennis guy, so I got in some Wimbledon time. With the Broncos opening camp in a few weeks, that’ll hold me over with sports until hockey is back. It’s also a good time for other activities.

Summer is a good time for me to catch up on some shows and books I’ve missed. I’m about done with Project Hail Mary and looking for my next read. We also have a family trip coming up, which means the Avalanche will do something big while I’m in a different country. The next six weeks or so are a good time to step away from the game.

Come the end of August or early September, I’ll be recharged, back up to a 9 or 10 and ready for the NHL to return.