Andrew Cogliano was traded to the Colorado Avalanche by the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
The Sharks received a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for the forward.
"Obviously very exciting," Cogliano told TSN. "I've been very fortunate in my career. I think last year was the first year in about 10 years I didn't play in the (Stanley Cup Playoffs), so that's why we play. That's why I play. The energy and the emotion and being a part of it and obviously be able to play in a place like Colorado.
"Obviously, I'm a small piece of that puzzle but I think players fit in different types of different situations throughout a playoff run. I'm a guy that's willing to do whatever at any time and always be ready and do my best. So it's a great opportunity."
Cogliano signed a one-year contract with the Sharks on July 28, 2021 and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 34-year-old has scored 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 56 games.
"Andrew was an important leader and a respected veteran in our dressing room this season," Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will said." Our players will be better pros for having had Andrew as a teammate."
Selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the No. 25 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, Cogliano has scored 425 points (174 goals, 251 assists) in 1,122 regular-season games for the Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Sharks, and 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 41 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He helped the Stars reach Game 6 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, a six-game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Avalanche acquired forward Artturi Lehkonen from the Montreal Canadiens on Monday for defenseman prospect Justin Barron and a second-round pick in the 2024 draft. Defenseman Josh Manson was traded to Colorado by Anaheim on March 14 for defenseman prospect Drew Helleson and a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Colorado (44-13-5) leads the NHL with 93 points and a .750 points percentage.
