On what proved to be a busy first day of the NHL free-agency period for the Avalanche, the team on Sunday added a standout winger in P.A. Parenteau, signed depth players John Mitchell and Greg Zanon and said it likely isn’t done dealing.

“We’re still evaluating what we can do to improve our team,” Avs general manager Greg Sherman said. “I think it’s safe to say we addressed needs that we felt we needed to address.”

Sherman also said the Avs reached out to the agents for the top two players in the free-agent pool — forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. Sherman wouldn’t say whether formal offers were made, but hinted that the Avs — like a lot of other teams — are waiting on their decisions.

“We have had discussions with their representatives,” Sherman said. “It’s an evaluation on our end as to what their goals are and what their expectations are, and where they may choose to go. There are many, many teams interested in these two players.”

Several teams were interested in Parenteau, 29, who scored 67 points (18 goals) in 80 games last season for the New York Islanders. But the Avs early on phoned Parenteau’s agent, Allan Walsh, and made an offer that couldn’t be refused: four years, $16 million.

“I’m so excited. They showed the most interest in me from the get-go, and I didn’t take long deciding on Colorado,” Parenteau said. “They’ve got such a good, young group of forwards, and I’m happy to be a part of it now. I’m 29 now, and I want to win, and I feel like I have a lot of good hockey left in me. I feel like I’m just getting things started.”

Parenteau, whose initials stand for Pierre-Alexandre, scored 20 goals and 53 points in 2010-11. A right winger, he is likely to play on a line with center Matt Duchene. Parenteau often played with John Tavares — taken first overall, two picks before Duchene in the 2009 NHL draft — but Sherman said the Avs are confident he wasn’t just piggybacking on Tavares’ skill.

“This was not, in our mind, a scenario where it was a ‘one-off.’ He put up points the year before as well, and there’s no doubt he brings skill to the team in a position that we felt we needed to target,” Sherman said.

Parenteau was just a ninth-round choice of Anaheim in 2001 and spent several years in the American Hockey League before getting more ice time with the Islanders in 2010-11. What took so long to blossom?

“I think it was just that, finally getting a real chance,” Parenteau said. “The Islanders gave me that chance, and I’m very grateful, and it was a great experience for me there. But I’m excited for a new challenge.”

Mitchell signed a two-year, $2.2 million deal. Defenseman Zanon signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal.

Mitchell is expected to replace Jay McClement as a depth center. Mitchell is considered a good defensive center and faceoff man, winning 51.3 percent of his draws last season with the Rangers.

Zanon, who played with Minnesota and Boston last season, is considered a strong shot blocker and a physical defender. The Avs earlier had tried to sign Ottawa defender Matt Carkner, but when a deal fell through, they turned to Zanon.

Mitchell “brings some size, he can skate and is very good in the faceoff circle,” Sherman said.

And despite a large stable of defensemen already, “you can never have enough defense,” Sherman said.

Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com