from Mike Chambers of the Denver Post,

The Avalanche will buy out veteran defenseman Brad Stuart and not replace him or recently traded defenseman Nick Holden with marquee free agent defensemen, general manager Joe Sakic said Monday.

Because of Stuart’s age, 36, his buyout won’t provide salary-cap relief, leaving $3.6 million on the books. But the Avs will save $1.2 million in cash, according to GeneralFanager.com...

Before trading Holden to the New York Rangers on Saturday, Sakic said the Avs won’t make a big splash when free agency begins, and he said that remains the plan after informing Stuart that he will not be with the team next season.

Sakic reiterated his plan to give increased ice time to 21-year-old defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras and offer 2011 first-round draft pick Duncan Siemens “every opportunity to try and make this team.” In addition, the Avs have high hopes for defenseman Eric Gelinas, who was acquired from New Jersey in March.

read on including a contract staus on Nathan MacKinnon...