--- title: "Avalanche Add Hinostroza, Fensore for Depth" description: "Low-risk signings bring veteran scoring and AHL upside to the Presidents' Trophy winners ahead of 2026-27." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/avalanche-sign-vinnie-hinostroza-domenick-fensore-to-bolste-8e7c3d13 published: 2026-07-03T09:37:28.07+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T09:37:28.07+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Avalanche Add Hinostroza, Fensore for Depth > Low-risk signings bring veteran scoring and AHL upside to the Presidents' Trophy winners ahead of 2026-27. The Colorado Avalanche are shoring up their roster depth with a pair of low-risk, two-way contracts for the 2026-27 campaign. The organization inked forward Vinnie Hinostroza to a two-year, two-way deal, bringing in a 32-year-old veteran who posted 18 points across 65 games last season. Hinostroza offers a reliable scoring touch from the bottom lines, providing insurance for a team that dominated the regular season and needs options beyond its top stars. Joining him is defenseman Domenick Fensore, who signed a one-year, two-way contract. At 24 years old, Fensore arrives with significant AHL upside after tallying 35 points in 60 games for the Chicago Wolves, signaling a potential breakout if called upon to fill gaps on the blue line. These moves target the margins of a roster that captured the Presidents’ Trophy, ensuring that the high-end talent isn't forced into overexertion during the grind of the season. The two-way structure minimizes financial risk while keeping the pipeline stocked with capable reinforcements who can slide into the lineup without disrupting chemistry. While the front office kept specifics close to the vest, the strategy reflects a clear priority: maintaining championship caliber through internal competition and proven minor-league production rather than splashy external acquisitions. The Avalanche’s depth-first approach mirrors a broader NHL trend where Presidents’ Trophy winners prioritize continuity and controlled risk over high-priced free agency. By locking in low-cost, high-reliability options like Hinostroza and Fensore, Colorado avoids the pitfalls of overcommitting cap space to unproven players. This method reduces pressure on young prospects to immediately step into top-nine roles while giving established stars like MacKinnon and Makar breathing room to manage workloads in the final years of their contracts. These signings also send a message to the roster’s younger players. Prospects like Bowen Byram and Justin Barron now face stiffer competition for bottom-pair minutes, forcing them to sharpen their edges in camp. For a franchise that thrived on internal development under Jared Bednar, this low-key strategy ensures the pipeline remains deep without sacrificing the team’s championship ceiling. Hinostroza’s utility extends beyond the scoresheet. In a league increasingly defined by speed, his wheels offer a tactical advantage on the penalty kill or in transition, allowing Bednar to roll four lines without sacrificing pace. This versatility is insurance against the inevitable wear of a playoff run, ensuring that the team’s identity doesn't fracture when the schedule gets tight. Fensore’s path is less certain but potentially more lucrative. The Avalanche have historically struggled to find cost-effective offense from the back end after the top pair. If Fensore’s AHL numbers translate to even third-pairing competency, he solves a cap casualty problem before it starts. It is a classic low-upside, high-floor bet that could pay dividends if the injury bug bites the blue line. What's next: The Avalanche now turn their attention to training camp, where these new additions will compete for roster spots against the team's existing prospect pool, determining who cracks the opening night lineup. ## Why this matters For a Presidents’ Trophy winner, the margin for error is slim, and injuries are the great equalizer. Hinostroza’s playoff experience and Fensore’s AHL scoring production provide the Avalanche with critical insurance policies. These low-cost moves ensure that if the top six faces attrition, the replacements aren't just warm bodies but players capable of maintaining the team's lethal standard of play throughout a grueling campaign. They also reflect a philosophical shift: Colorado is betting on process over hype, trusting its scouting and development systems to fill gaps rather than chasing marquee names in free agency. ## Frequently asked ### Who did the Avalanche sign? The Avalanche signed forward Vinnie Hinostroza to a two-year, two-way contract and defenseman Domenick Fensore to a one-year, two-way deal. ### What did Vinnie Hinostroza do last season? Hinostroza recorded 18 points in 65 games last season, bringing a veteran scoring presence to the Avalanche's depth chart. ### What is Domenick Fensore's background? Fensore, 24, is coming off a strong season with the Chicago Wolves where he posted 35 points in 60 AHL games. ### Why are these signings considered low-risk? Both contracts are two-way deals, meaning the players can be sent to the AHL without requiring waivers or significant cap hits, providing roster flexibility. ### How do these moves fit into Colorado’s long-term plans? The signings reinforce Colorado’s depth-first strategy, ensuring the team remains competitive without overcommitting cap space to unproven players while keeping its championship window open. ### What does this say about the Avalanche’s roster philosophy? It signals a preference for internal solutions and controlled risk over splashy free-agent signings, a model that has defined the franchise’s recent success under Jared Bednar. ## Sources & Citations - [Avalanche sign Vinnie Hinostroza, Domenick Fensore to bolster depth](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/colorado-avalanche-vinnie-hinostroza-domenick-fensore-ahl-depth-signings-nhl-free-agency) — Daily Faceoff (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Avalanche Add Hinostroza, Fensore for Depth. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/avalanche-sign-vinnie-hinostroza-domenick-fensore-to-bolste-8e7c3d13