Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic stated his team's intent to buy out the final year of defenseman Brad Stuart's contract Monday, according to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.

Stuart's $3.6-million cap hit would remain on the books, but a buyout would save the team $1.2 million in cash. The 36-year-old was limited to just six games last season due to a back injury.

After trading Nick Holden at the draft, Sakic is hopeful the remaining ice time on the blue line can be filled by younger players like Nikita Zadorov, Chris Bigras, and Duncan Siemens instead of trying to find a replacement via free agency.

"What we're doing is allowing more ice time for these guys," Sakic said of his blue line. "We're going to get our young guys on the ice more because these are the guys that, in a few years, are going to be our (main) guys."

Erik Johnson, Francois Beauchemin, and Eric Gelinas remain under contract for the Avalanche, while Sakic says he has already made an offer to restricted free agent Tyson Barrie.

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