Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic and his staff left no stone unturned in the years-long process that produced a roster capable of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
Be it through shrewd trades (here’s looking at you, Devon Toews), smart free-agent signings (hello, Valeri Nichushkin) or home run top-of-the-draft selections (Cale Makar at No. 4 has aged like fine wine), the Avs used every roster-building tool at their disposal.
Here’s a look at how it all came together (chronicle order by acquisition type):
Draft picks (seven)
F Gabe Landeskog: 2011 first round, No. 2 overall. Landeskog has been the Avs’ captain since his second year in the league at age 19, an uncommon amount of responsibility for such a young player. And he’s handled it well while accumulating 571 points (248 goals) over 11 seasons.
F Nathan MacKinnon: 2013 first round, No. 1 overall. MacKinnon has become the fiercest competitor on an extremely hungry team. He might be the best right-shot center in the world and his 1.36 playoff points-per-game average is the sixth-highest all-time.
F Mikko Rantanen: 2015 first round, No. 10 overall. Rantanen was the highest-rated European skater at age 18 but somehow dropped to 10th in his draft class. He has become the third-leading scorer in the class, with 408 career points in 408 regular-season games.
D Cale Makar: 2017 first round, No. 4 overall. Another draft-class steal for Colorado. If the 2017 class was re-drafted, Makar would go No. 1. He is a generational defenseman and the modern-day comparison to Bobby Orr of the 1960s and 1970s.
G Justus Annunen. 2018 third round, No. 64 overall (from Ottawa). Annunen was the No. 1 guy for the Colorado Eagles, who advanced to the second round of the AHL playoffs. It’s too early to know if he can be a No. 1 guy in the NHL.
D Bo Byram: 2019 first round, No. 4 overall (from Ottawa). Byram does things as a lefty that Makar does as a righty. Not as flashy but effective. They will eventually be Colorado’s top-pair partners after Devon Toews’ team-friendly contract expires in two years.
F Alex Newhook: 2019 first round, No. 16 overall. Newhook played two years at Boston College before joining the Avs after his sophomore season ended. He’s slowly become more efficient in everything he does. He’ll be a staple of the top-six next season and beyond.
Free agency (six)
G Pavel Francouz, May 2, 2018: From the Kontinental Hockey League. “Frankie” is an ideal backup who throws shooters off by catching from his right hand. He’s a popular player because of his team-first attitude and ability to thrive with a sub-6-foot frame.
F Logan O’Connor, July 23, 2018: From the University of Denver. Another great find by the Avs as an undrafted free agent. O’Connor has above-average skating speed, is a pest on the forecheck, and a terrific penalty killer.
F Valeri Nichushkin, Aug. 19, 2019: Previously bought out by the Dallas Stars. The Avs helped resurrect Nichushkin’s career after the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft flamed out of the NHL. When he plays with confidence he’s a bonafide power forward.
F Darren Helm, July 29, 2021: Previously played for the Detroit Red Wings. Helm is having a great postseason as one of the most experienced players on the team. An ideal fourth-liner at this time of the year.
D Ryan Murray, Aug. 2, 2021: Previously played for the New Jersey Devils. Murray, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2012 draft, adds depth to his position. He hasn’t played in the playoffs yet but the Avs know he would be a solid addition if he gets the chance.
D Jack Johnson, Oct. 10, 2021. The 16-year vet signed a professional tryout contract that led to a one-year deal. Colorado chose Johnson over Murray to replace Sam Girard, another feather in Johnson’s cap after coming into training camp with no guarantee to remain in the NHL.
Trades (12)
D Erik Johnson, Feb. 18, 2011: Acquired from St. Louis, along with C Jay McClement and a first-round pick (Duncan Siemens) in 2011, in exchange for Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Stewart and a second-round choice (Ty Rattie). The 2006 No. 1 overall pick has been a steady vet over 12 seasons in Colorado.
F J.T. Compher, June 26, 2015: Acquired from Buffalo, along with Mikhail Grigorenko and D Nikita Zadorov and 2015 second-round round pick (later traded to San Jose) in exchange for F Jamie McGinn and F Ryan O’Reilly. Compher has stepped in nicely for the injured Kadri on the second line.
D Sam Girard, Nov. 5, 2017: Acquired from Nashville in three-team Matt Duchene trade that netted three players on the current roster (Girard, Byram and Annunen) and three prospects still affiliated with the NHL club (forwards Vladislav Kamenev, Shane Bowers and Matthew Steinburg). Girard is recovering from a broken sternum and is out the rest of the season.
F Andre Burakovsky, June 28, 2019: Acquired from Washington in exchange for F Scott Kosmachuk and 2020 second-and third-round draft picks. Burakovsky has one of the best shots on the team — when he hits the net.
F Nazem Kadri, July 1, 2019: Acquired by Colorado, along with D Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round selection, for D Tyson Barrie, F Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth-round pick. Kadri is enjoying a career year but might not see the ice in the Finals after injuring his thumb in the conference finals.
D Devon Toews, Oct. 12, 2020: Acquired from NY Islanders for Colorado’s second-round draft picks in 2021 and 2022. Right up there with one of the greatest trades in the Sakic GM era. As smooth as there is and an ideal partner for Makar.
Goalie Darcy Kuemper, July 28, 2021: Acquired from Arizona for D Conor Timmins, a first-round round pick in the 2022 draft and a conditional third-round round selection in 2024. His performance in the Finals will dictate how he will be remembered in what likely will be just a one-year stint in Colorado.
D Kurtis MacDermid, July 27, 2021: Acquired from Seattle for a 2023 fourth-round draft pick. The enforcer has yet to make the lineup in the postseason but the Avs love his insurance value.
F Nico Sturm, March 15, 2022: Acquired from Minnesota for F Tyson Jost. Sturm is back as the fourth-line center after Andrew Cogliano went down with a broken finger. Another excellent depth addition.
F Andrew Cogliano, March 21, 2022: Acquired from San Jose for a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL draft. See Darren Helm. Another long-tenured 30-something who knows how to win in the postseason.
D Josh Manson, March 14, 2022: Acquired from Anaheim for D Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round draft pick. Manson added size and toughness to a blueline that no longer gets pushed around.
F Artturi Lehkonen, March 21, 2022: Acquired from Montreal for D Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round draft pick. Lehkonen might be Sakic’s best trade-deadline addition because he’s a top-six scoring forward who is excellent on the forecheck and is only a restricted free agent.
Waiver wire (one)
F Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Nov. 13, 2021: Claimed on waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. If NAK is not committing penalties he’s playing well. The Avs got the hard-nosed depth forward for nothing but a modest $1.07 million salary and restricted free-agent rights.
