Following the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2022-23 regular season, which begins Oct. 7. Today, Colorado Avalanche:
2021-22 season: 56-19-7, first in the Central Division; won the Stanley Cup
key arrivals
Alexander GeorgievG: The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade from the New York Rangers on July 7 and signed a three-year deal with Colorado three days later. He went 15-10-2 with a 2.92 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and two shutouts in 33 games (28 starts) with the Rangers last season.
Video: NYR@CAR: Georgiev Records Seventh Career Shutout
key outputs
nazem kadriF: He remains an unrestricted free agent after having an NHL career-high 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 regular-season games and 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 playoff games. the Stanley Cup during the Avalanche’s run to the Cup. … darcy kumperG: He signed a five-year deal with the Washington Capitals on July 13 after going 37-12-4 with a 2.54 GAA, a .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 57 starts during the regular season and 10-4 with a GAA. from 2.57, .902. save percentage and one shutout in 16 playoff starts. … Andre BurakovskyF: He signed a five-year deal with the Seattle Kraken on July 13 after posting an NHL career-high 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 80 regular-season games and eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 playoff games. . … Jack Johnson, D. He remains an unrestricted free agent after scoring nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 74 regular-season games and no points in 13 playoff games. … Nicholas Aube-KubelF: He signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 13. He had 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 74 regular season games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Avalanche and no points in 14 playoff games.
on the cusp
ben meyersF: The 23-year-old signed a two-year contract on April 13. He scored one goal in five games with the Avalanche, but was ineligible for the playoffs after scoring 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games as a junior with the University of Minnesota.
Video: CAR@COL: Meyers makes it 4-0 in front of the net
what they still need
Advance depth. Having Meyers available helps in case Kadri signs elsewhere, but Colorado could still use a reliable second-row center and another forward to play third or fourth row.
they said it
“We’re very confident in the front group as it is today, as it’s currently built, but as always, we’ll always look to improve. And if something makes sense, either it’s two hours from now or two months from now.” now, before training camp, we will look to improve the team. That’s our job, but we feel good about it as it’s currently built.” — general manager Chris MacFarland
fantasy focus
Georgiev is ranked in the top 20 goalkeepers this season, going from substitute for Rangers to likely starter for the defending Cup champions. He was inconsistent playing behind the Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin last season, but he has his highest fantasy ceiling yet for the Avalanche, who lost Kuemper in free agency but still have viable backup in pavel francouz. Georgiev showed promise early in his NHL career with the best power play SV percentage in the NHL (.906; minimum 40 games) during his first two seasons (2017-18, 2018-19) and must be Considered one of the top 150 players overall and an obvious breakout candidate. –Anna Dua
projected alignment
arturi lehkonen — Nathan Mackinnon — Mikko Rantanen
gabriel landeskog — JT Compher — Valeri Nichushkin
alex newhook –Ben Meyers– Logan O’Connor
darren helm — Andrew Cogliano — Kurtis MacDermid
Devon Toews — Cala Makar
samuel girard — joseph manson
Bowen–Byram — erik johnson
Alexander Georgiev
pavel francouz