Avalanche add to forward depth with Johansen, Wood, Colton

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2023-24 regular season, which starts Oct. 10. Today, the Colorado Avalanche:

2022-23 season: 51-24-7, first in Central Division; lost in Western Conference First Round

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Key arrivals

Ryan Johansen, F: The 30-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on June 24. Johansen had 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games last season but missed the final 27 games following surgery on his right leg after he was cut by a skate blade against the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 21. … Jonathan Drouin, F: The 28-year-old signed a one-year contract July 3 and is expected to play a top-six role. Drouin had 29 points (two goals, 27 assists) in 58 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season. … Miles Wood, F: The 27-year-old signed a six-year contract July 1. He had 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists), including two game-winning goals, in 76 regular-season games for the New Jersey Devils last season and two goals in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games. Wood is expected to play a bottom-six role. … Ross Colton, F: The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 28. He had 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 81 regular-season games for the Lightning and four points (one goal, three assists) in six playoff games.

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Key departures

Evan Rodrigues, F: Signed a four-year contract with the Florida Panthers on July 3. He had 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in 69 regular-season games last season and five points (one goal, four assists) in seven playoff games. … J.T. Compher, F: Signed a five-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1 after he had an NHL career-high 52 points (17 goals, 35 assists) in 82 regular-season games. He had two points (one goal, one assist) in seven playoff games. … Alex Newhook, F: Traded to the Montreal Canadiens on June 27, Newhook had 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 82 regular-season games and one assist in seven playoff games. … Video: Ryan Johansen headed to the Colorado Avalanche , F: An unrestricted free agent, he had 21 points (13 goals, eight assists) in 65 games with the Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs last season, including 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in 42 games with Colorado after being acquired in a trade Dec. 19. … Lars Eller, F: Signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1. He had 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 84 games with the Avalanche and Washington Capitals last season, including seven points (three goals, four assists) in 24 games with the Avalanche after being acquired in a trade March 1. … Erik Johnson, D: Signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 1. He had eight assists in 63 regular-season games and one goal in seven playoff games.

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On the cusp

Ben Meyers, F: The 24-year-old had four goals in 39 NHL games and 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 30 games with Colorado of the American Hockey League. He'll be looking to challenge for a bottom-six role with the Avalanche this season. … Video: Ryan Johansen headed to the Colorado Avalanche , D: The 24-year-old signed a two-year, entry-level contract March 30 after he had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 34 games as a senior at Cornell University. He had five points (three goals, two assists) in seven regular-season AHL games and five assists in seven playoff games while on a professional tryout contract.

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What they still need

Forward depth. Last season's multitude of injuries exposed the dearth of forward help ready in the pipeline. The Avalanche already will be without top-line forward and captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee surgery) for the season, and Colorado could use help on the fourth line if Meyers struggles to hold down a spot in the lineup.

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They said it

"I think I can be a great asset and fit in this group. It's a team sport, but as an individual I know what I'm capable of and I know how I can play in this league. For me to fit in best, I think it's just going to be me at the top of my game." -- forward Ryan Johansen

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Fantasy focus

Signing Drouin reunites him with Nathan MacKinnon, his linemate with Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and he could be a deep fantasy sleeper for this season. Drouin has dealt with injuries in recent seasons but has been fantasy relevant before, twice reaching 53 points in his nine NHL seasons. The past chemistry with MacKinnon could allow the Avalanche to play Mikko Rantanen on a separate line with Johansen to spread out the scoring.-- Pete Jensen

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Projected lineup

Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen

Jonathan Drouin -- Ryan Johansen -- Valeri Nichushkin

Miles Wood -- Ross Colton -- Logan O'Connor

Andrew Cogliano -- Ben Meyers -- Fredrik Olofsson

Devon Toews -- Cale Makar

Bowen Byram -- Josh Manson

Jack Johnson -- Samuel Girard

Alexandar Georgiev

Pavel Francouz