Change is inevitable for the last-place Colorado Avalanche, but Joe Sakic says the overhaul of the team's roster this offseason is likely to be significant nonetheless.

"There's going to be a lot of turnover and we're going to get some younger guys in here," the general manager told Altitude Sports Radio on Tuesday. "We're expecting to be a quicker team and a much more competitive team."

The Avalanche were anything but competitive this season, posting a mere 48 points and compiling the worst record since the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers.

Colorado does have some encouraging young forwards in the fold, with Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher debuting for the club in 2016-17, while Mikko Rantanen excelled in his first full NHL season.

On defense, Sakic said the Avalanche are hopeful they'll soon be able to announce the signing of KHL defenseman Andrei Mironov, who was drafted in the fourth round by Colorado in 2015.

The availability of both Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog was no secret this season, and while trades remain possible, Sakic says the free-agent market is one avenue the Avalanche won't be exploring.

"We're not going to be players in free agency," the GM said. "We want to grow our kids, keep the youth movement going and try and develop and have them grow together."

- With h/t to Sportsnet

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