Facing the prospect of Mikko Rantanen becoming an unrestricted free agent after this season, Colorado general manager Chris MacFarland felt the timing was right to trade the star forward and bolster the Avalanche’s roster for the future.

The Washington Capitals have named Chris Patrick as their general manager with longtime GM Brian MacLellan remaining president of hockey operations.

The biggest factor in the direction of the Colorado Avalanche’s offseason plans may just hinge on trust.

Fresh off adding center Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Sean Walker, the Colorado Avalanche made two more moves by bringing in forward Yakov Trenin from Nashville and forward Brandon Duhaime from Minnesota.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Devon Toews to a seven-year contract extension worth $50.75 million.