I don't think it'd be that big a deal if the Avalanche didn't go big on defense this offseason. They already have two incredibly talented blueliners and one of the best defensive prospects in hockey. Beyond that they have a decent placeholder, an injury-prone but still useful top-four guy, and a veteran stopgap third pairing guy who should at least be noticeably better next season. If they're gonna go big, it should be to either add a legit star winger onto that 2nd line or top-end third line center. I don't know why people are freaking out so bad if Ryan Graves starts out the year on the top pairing. If EJ isn't good to go, then yeah I'm a little concerned, but that doesn't mean they should break the bank to bring in someone at a position they're already strong at. And obviously there are some huge concerns about Conor Timmins but it ain't yet time to just write him off entirely.
I'd like for Sakic to be "all in" this offseason, but I also don't think the Avs absolutely HAVE to be a cap team this upcoming season. The only question I have now that I didn't going into this season is whether or not they're fine with the goaltending tandem they currently have.