2021-22
Record: 56-19-7 119p (1st in Central)
Playoffs: 2022 Stanley Cup Champions
Key Losses
G – Darcy Kuemper (WAS), F – Nicolas Aube-Kubel (TOR), F – Andre Burakovsky (SEA), Nico Sturm (SJ), D – Jack Johnson (CHI), F – Nazem Kadri (CAL)
Key Additions
G – Alexander Georgiev
2022-23 Preview
After years of being unable to get past the second round with their core group, the Colorado Avalanche finally made it back to the promised land as they would be a dominant 16-4 in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs to claim their third Cup in franchise history, and first under the Joe Sakic management regime. Going into the 2022-23 season the Avs will look to defend their title as Stanley Cup champions, and will be doing it with a fairly in tact lineup to do it.
On offense both Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky would leave town for Calgary and Seattle respectively, while bottom six players Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Nico Sturm would also depart, but when looking at the Avs depth chart they are still loaded down the middle and on the wings. One positive on the wings is that there will be healthy competition amongst their prospects that will be looking to make it into the Avs lineup.
On defense journeymen Jack Johnson and Ryan Murray would leave, but the Avs were able to re-sign Josh Manson and still have a very strong young group led by Cale Makar that will be the backbone for the Avalanche for years to come. The only question will be in net for the Avs. Gone is Darcy Kuemper, who signed with Washington, and in come Alexander Georgiev from the New York Rangers. Georgiev is getting another opportunity to prove himself as a starting goaltender while Pavel Francouz will start as the backup, but could very well take over the starting spot too (after all, he did go 6-0 in the 2022 playoffs).
The Avs are going to be a team to beat once again, and will be fun to watch again this season.
The Xperience Hockey Talk 