The Avalanche, who finished with the best record in the Western Conference last season (56-19-7) steamrolled their way to the championship, sweeping the Nashville Predators in the first round, taking out the St. Louis Blues in six games in the second round, sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the conference final, and dispatching the two-time defending Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.
Joe Sakic, who was the general manager last season and is now the president of hockey operations, got his name on the Cup for the third time, the first two coming as captain of the Avalanche during their two Cup victories in 1996 and 2001.
The Avalanche have not yet seen the Cup in person yet since it's been engraved, but are looking forward to it.
"I saw a picture," coach Jared Bednar said. "It was just a picture, so I'll wait to see it live."
Gabriel Landeskog
, who has yet to play this season because of injury, was listed first among the players, as captain. The rest of the 25 players were listed alphabetically from forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel (now with the Toronto Maple Leafs) all the way to defenseman Devon Toews, and also included Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cale Makar and elite forward Nathan MacKinnon.
Forwards Darren Helm and Andre Burakovsky (now with the Seattle Kraken) were the lone players who had already been etched on Lord Stanley previously; Helm with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and Burakovsky with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
The players, coaches and staff enjoyed their days with the Stanley Cup this summer before their Stanley Cup banner was raised prior to their regular-season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 12.
