2019-20 acquisitions filled every need

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic made several offseason additions and trade deadline moves that, at the time, seemed like relatively small splashes.

They turned into tidal waves. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi and Valeri Nichushkin signed as summer free agents. The Avs traded for Nazem Kadri in July, and later made a deal to bring in Vladislav Namestnikov in February. Their combined points total through the regular season and playoffs — 221 pts (118 goals) — accounted for 27% of the team’s total scoring over the same span; 800 pts (296 goals).

Translation: More than a quarter of all Avalanche points in 201920 were delivered by their new forwards.

In the Edmonton playoff bubble, they scored a combined 27 goals with 25 assists. And, don’t forget the strong performance of Andrew Hutchison (acquired at the trade deadline), who helped

force a Game 7 as Colorado’s third-string goalie.

The Avs relied heavily on newcomers in the wake of several injuries. Of course, Kadri’s lategame turnover and Hutchinson’s five-allowed goals Friday revealed inconsistency which booted Colorado from the playoffs. But the aforementioned newcomers combined for six points (four goals) in the Avalanche’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Stars.

“This is a really tight group and they welcomed me with open arms,” said Namestnikov, who scored twice in Game 7. “It was a lot of fun playing and the style of

hockey they play is great. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the job done here in Game 7. But it’s a bright future here, for sure.”

Added Avalanche coach Jared Bednar: “I could go through our lineup and there are guys that stepped up at different times. … We had a real good togetherness and belief in our room. I’m proud of all of our guys.”

Now, the big question for Sakic entering an offseason of unknowns: Is he aggressive in adding players after yet another Game 7 second-round exit? Or does Sakic keep his stable of depth forwards intact?

Burakovsky ($3.25M) and Nichushkin ($850K) are restricted free agents next season. Hutchinson (700K) and Namestnikov ($4M) will be unrestricted free agents. Hutchinson told reporters that his focus wasn’t on a new contract through the playoffs.

“You can beat your head against a wall trying to figure out what’s going to happen for next year,” Hutchinson said.

MVP finalist Nathan MacKinnon suggested the Avalanche, when healthy, could win the Stanley Cup with its current roster. That doesn’t mean Sakic won’t shake things up if he believes it helps Colorado advance past the second round.

Back in February, following the trade deadline, the Avs’ GM suggested his current team was close to making that leap.

“We love the chemistry in our dressing room,” Sakic said. “We don’t want to tinker too much with that.”