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Andre Burakovsky Re-Signs with Colorado Avalanche

Andre Burakovsky

Andre Burakovsky has signed a new deal with the Colorado Avalanche. The contract is one of the first of Colorado’s offseason and arguably the most important. The deal is a two-year deal worth $9.8 million with an annual average value of $4.9 million. The team announced the signing Saturday morning.

Andre Burakovsky Signs with Avalanche

Burakovsky experienced a major surge with the Avs in 2019-20. The Washington Capitals‘ former first-round pick from 2013 set new career-highs in goals and points. The 24-year-old scored 20 goals and 45 points in 58 games. Burakovsky’s previous best was 17 goals and 38 points in 79 games as a 20-year-old in 2015-16. Colorado had far more opportunity for Burakovsky on the power play with top players and he produced.

It’s clear that Colorado’s system benefitted the young skater. He didn’t set new highs in some advanced stats but Burakovsky still posted a Corsi For of 53.1 and Corsi For Relative of 2.4. The team was far better at controlling shots with him on the ice. His defence wasn’t spectacular but that is something that can be fixed A Burakovsky with improved defensive capability would push Colorado’s ceiling even higher.

What This Means for the Future

This contract is a fantastic opportunity for Burakovsky to continue his development as a true top-six NHL forward. He demonstrated solid chemistry next to both Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri, the team’s top two centres. Maintaining that chemistry and finding a consistent third to either of those two should produce major dividends.

Burakovsky is the most important Avalanche free agent but he is not the only one. The team still has important decisions to make on several other players. Ryan Graves, Tyson Jost, and Valeri Nichushkin are several other key pieces that need new deals. The team has made one important deal but they are far from done with offseason plans. They have also yet to make a major splash in free agency with over $18 million left to spend.

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