Avalanche Reload After Banner Year, Add Depth at Every Level

The Avalanche dominated the Central Division with 121 points and a plus-99 goal differential, then used the offseason to add depth without losing any core pieces. Trading Valeri Nichushkin for draft capital was the only major subtraction, and Colorado turned those picks and others into young forwards and a veteran defenseman. The moves suggest a team trying to stay on top rather than chase it.

Last season in review

Colorado's 55-16-11 record was built on elite offense and steady goaltending. Nathan MacKinnon put up 127 points, Martin Necas hit 100, and Cale Makar added 79 from the blue line. The Avalanche scored 302 goals, third most in the league, and allowed just 203. Scott Wedgewood posted a .921 save percentage across 43 games, going 31-6-6. The numbers say this was a team that could score in bunches and didn't give up much the other way.

Ins and outs

• In: Fabian Lysell (acquired from Boston, then signed)
• In: Jaxson Schwartz (signed as a free agent, per nhl.com)
• In: Fedor Svechkov (acquired from Nashville)
• In: Luke L'Heureux (acquired from Nashville)
• In: Brett Kulak (re-signed)
• In: Calle Wolanin (signed as a free agent, per nhl.com)
• In: Calen Addison (signed as a free agent, per nhl.com)
• Out: Valeri Nichushkin (traded to Columbus for draft picks, per nhl.com)

The big question

Can the Avalanche replace Nichushkin's production without disrupting the chemistry that carried them to 121 points? He was a two-way winger who could finish and defend, and while the additions of Lysell, Svechkov, and L'Heureux add skill and speed, none of them have proven they can handle top-six minutes in the NHL yet. Colorado's depth got deeper, but the top six might need someone to step up.

X-factor

Fabian Lysell is the wild card. The 22-year-old winger was a first-round pick by Boston in 2021 and has shown flashes of high-end skill in the AHL, but he couldn't crack the Bruins' lineup. Colorado acquired him in a draft-weekend deal and signed him to a one-year contract. If he can translate his speed and hands to the NHL, he could slide into the top six and give the Avalanche another scoring threat. If not, he's a depth piece.

Bold prediction

Colorado wins the Central again and MacKinnon finishes top three in Hart Trophy voting for the third straight year.

The outlook

The Avalanche are still built to win now. They kept their core intact, added young talent through trades and the draft, and brought in veteran depth on the blue line. The season opener against the Kings on September 30 will be the first look at how the new pieces fit, but the foundation is the same group that just won 55 games. If Wedgewood or another goalie can repeat last year's numbers and the offense stays hot, Colorado is a Stanley Cup contender again.