We’ve passed the halfway point of The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash series – our rankings of the off-season of every NHL team. In these files, we’re examining each team’s lineup additions, departures, hirings and firings, and judging which teams improved, which teams got worse, and which teams stayed the same. And in this particular file, we’re focused on the team that came in 15th overall in our rankings – the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche made a slew of roster changes last season, and while Colorado did lose their first-round series against Dallas, there’s still many things you have to like about where they are as a team today. Of course, there’s superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, there’s also a goalie tandem that was one of the NHL’s better duos, and the Avs have depth throughout the roster.
As you’ll see below, the Avalanche didn’t make a lot of noise this summer. But the reality is that Colorado GM Chris MacFarland made all the moves he needed to last season. When you deal with a salary cap conundrum by trading an elite winger in Mikko Rantanen for an above-average forward in Martin Necas, you’ve set the table for many more solid seasons.
But before we take a bigger look at the Avs as a team, let’s look at the few additions MacFarland made to his roster.
Additions
Brent Burns (D)
The Breakdown: The Avalanche had one of the deeper defense corps in the league last season, with Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Manson, Samuel Girard and Sam Malinski forming an elite back end. But MacFarland raised the bar for Colorado’s blueliners by signing veteran star and former Carolina Hurricanes D-man Brent Burns to a one-year, $1-million contract.
At 40 years old, Burns is the oldest player in the league. And while his offensive numbers have dropped steadily in recent years, Burns’ snarl and size makes him a valuable, experienced hand. Something tells us Burns had a number of teams vying for him this summer, so getting him at an incredible discount is a huge win for the Avalanche.
So, if you’re saying “that’s it?” to this Avs acquisition, you’re underestimating Burns and the Avs’ all-around depth. But with Burns anchoring Colorado’s third defense pairing, you’re sealing off any real weakness in the Avalanche’s defense. And when you take into account the Avalanche’s depth at forward, it’s clear this is a team that didn’t have to make many additions to still be one of the Western Conference’s very best…