Since winning the Stanley Cup in the 2021-22 season, the Colorado Avalanche have endured three straight playoff disappointments—bowing out in the first round twice and the second round once. The repeated early exits have led to growing frustration among fans, with some directing their displeasure at head coach Jared Bednar and general manager Chris MacFarland. Despite the criticism, neither is expected to be replaced this offseason.
As is often the case after a championship run, the Avalanche saw several key contributors depart—either through free agency or retirement. The loss of those core players was inevitable but nonetheless impactful.
In response, the front office made various roster moves in hopes of filling the void. However, none of the acquisitions have managed to elevate the team back to its title-winning level. While it’s been some time since those players left, the effects of their absence still linger.
Adding to the sting is the success some of those departed players have found with other teams. Their continued impact elsewhere serves as a tough reminder of what Colorado once had—and what they’ve struggled to fully replace.
These two players were big contributors for the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22
One notable player who left the Avalanche after their Stanley Cup win was Nazem Kadri, who signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent. During his three seasons with Colorado, Kadri totaled 58 goals and 97 assists in 178 games. His departure left a significant gap, particularly as he was a key part of the team’s search for a reliable second-line center. Since then, the Avalanche have tried various players in that role, with Casey Mittelstadt being a notable attempt. However, Mittelstadt struggled to find consistency and was eventually traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Charlie Coyle, who contributed two goals and 11 assists in 19 games with Colorado last season.
This year, the Avalanche turned to 33-year-old Brock Nelson to fill the second-line center position. The move cost the team draft picks and a former first-rounder, Calum Ritchie, which adds to the frustration given Nelson’s age. In hindsight, Colorado may regret not being able to extend Kadri, as the team’s efforts to reach the Stanley Cup Final in the past few years have fallen short, and Kadri was a crucial part of their championship run.
Another significant departure was goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who left Colorado for the Washington Capitals before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings. Kuemper played a pivotal role in the Avalanche’s 2021-22 playoff run, posting a 37-12 regular-season record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average. Despite suffering an eye injury during the playoffs, he played in 16 games and posted a .902 save percentage with a remarkable 2.57 GAA, one of the best in his career.
Kuemper’s performance has only improved since leaving Colorado. In the 2024-25 season, he posted a 31-11 record, a .922 save percentage, and a 2.02 GAA, earning a Vezina Trophy nomination alongside Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy. His consistency and playmaking ability have proven invaluable, further highlighting the Avalanche’s struggle to replace key pieces of their championship roster.