Drafted 24th overall by the Washington Capitals in 2013, Austrian-born Swede Andre Burakovsky, had a slow start to his career. Not living up to GM Brian MacLellan’s expectations after five seasons with the Capitals, Burakovsky was on the trade block after the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup Championship win. In exchange for a second and third-round draft pick and an AHL forward, Burakovsky was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche.
Andre Burakovsky Has Found a Home in Colorado
Washington Capitals
During his time with the Capitals, while somewhat of a letdown, Burakovsky showed flashes of brilliance. In Round Two of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Capitals faced long-time Metropolitan rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Burakosvky tallied two goals in Game 6 to help defeat the Penguins and stave off elimination. The Capitals wound up losing in Game 7, but Burakovsky showed up in a crucial game to keep his team’s Stanley Cup hopes alive, at least for one more day.
Burakovsky has a habit of scoring goals just when his team needs him too. Just a year later, in the critical Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Burakosvsky tallied another two goals to solidify the Capitals place in the Stanley Cup Final. The only Game 7 the Capitals would face on their road to lifting the Stanley Cup and Burakosvky scored the game-winner and one more for good measure.
While Burakovsky’s tenure with the Washington Capitals was more or less lackluster, his move to the Colorado Avalanche allowed him to grow and find a place within some of the league’s top scorers.
Colorado Avalanche
In the third game of the Avalanche’s 2019-20 season, Burakovsky scored his first goal in burgundy and blue. A game-winner against the Boston Bruins and a goal that would begin the best season of his career. Burakovsky tallied 20 goals and 25 assists for a personal high of 45 points in the shortened season. Burakovsky was on track to blow his stats with the Washington Capitals out of the water.
While Burakovsky had a great regular season, his postseason run with the Avalanche was nothing short of exceptional. Ousted in the second round by the Dallas Stars, the Avalanche couldn’t overcome the injuries that plagued their bench. The Game 7 loss in overtime didn’t reflect the talent or effort put in by healthy players like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri, and particularly Andre Burakovsky.
MacKinnon, arguably one of the best players in the league, had the third-most points out of any other player in the running for the Stanley Cup. That’s to be expected. What was less predictable were the insane point totals put up by Rantanen, Kadri, and Burakovsky this postseason. 21, 18, and 17 points, respectively, all three players far outdid their performances in past playoff runs. Tallying seven goals and 1o assists, Burakovsky undeniably demonstrated his vast improvement over the past season.
Colorado’s penchant for taking risks on low-buy candidates from other teams seems to be working out in their favor. While he still has plenty of room for improvement, Burakovsky has exemplified that. Washington’s salary dump disguised as a trade benefitted not just the Avalanche, but Burakovsky himself.
The Future
Signing a 2-year, $4.9 million AAV earlier this month, Burakovsky solidified his place with the Avalanche until 2022. This gives the 25-year-old a chance to finally secure a spot as a top-six forward.
This is the 25-year-old’s chance to finally secure a spot as a top-six forward. The Colorado Avalanche clearly believes he has what it takes to do big things for them, even help them bring home a Stanley Cup within the next few years. Consistency and chemistry with his linemates will be the key to continuing and developing Burakovsky’s play.
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