Avalanche add Georgiev in goal after Stanley Cup win

After 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 starts Oct. 7. Today, the Colorado Avalanche:

2021-22 season:56-19-7, first in Central Division; won Stanley Cup

Key arrivals

Alexandar Georgiev, G: The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers on July 7 and signed a three-year contract with Colorado three days later. He was 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.

Key departures

Nazem Kadri, F: Remains an unrestricted free agent after he had an NHL career-high 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 regular-season games and 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games during the Avalanche's run to the Cup. ... Darcy Kuemper, G: Signed a five-year contract with the Washington Capitals on July 13 after going 37-12-4 with a 2.54 GAA, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 57 starts during the regular season and 10-4 with a 2.57 GAA, .902 save percentage and one shutout in 16 playoff starts. ... Andre Burakovsky, F: Signed a five-year contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 13 after he had 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: Remains an unrestricted free agent after he had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 74 regular-season games and no points in 13 playoff games. ... Nicolas Aube-Kubel, F: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 Meyers, F:The 23-year-old signed a two-year contract April 13. He had one goal in five games with the Avalanche but was ineligible for the playoffs after he had 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games as a junior with the University of Minnesota.

What they still need

Forward depth. Having Meyers available helps should Kadri sign elsewhere, but Colorado could still use a dependable second-line center and another wing to play on the third or fourth line.

They said it

"We feel very confident in the forward group as it is today, as it is currently constructed, but like always we're going to always look to get better. And if something makes sense, whether it's two hours from now or two months from now before training camp, we'll look to improve the team. That's our job, but we feel good about it as currently constructed." -- general manager Chris MacFarland

Fantasy focus

Georgiev is ranked among the top 20 goalies this season, shifting from backup duty with the Rangers to the likely starter for the reigning Cup champions. He was inconsistent playing behind Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin last season but has his highest fantasy ceiling yet for the Avalanche, who lost Kuemper in free agency but still have a viable backup in Pavel Francouz. Georgiev showed promise early in his NHL career with the best power-play SV% in the NHL (.906; minimum 40 games) over his first two seasons (2017-18, 2018-19) and should be considered a top 150 overall player and obvious breakout candidate. -- Anna Dua

Projected lineup

Artturi Lehkonen
-- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Gabriel Landeskog -- J.T. Compher -- Valeri Nichushkin
Alex Newhook -- Ben Meyers -- Logan O'Connor
Darren Helm -- Andrew Cogliano -- Kurtis MacDermid
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Samuel Girard -- Josh Manson
Bowen Byram -- Erik Johnson
Alexandar Georgiev
Pavel Francouz