The Colorado Avalanche are just one season removed from their third Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history, and now they've made a massive splash that could help them for years to come.
The Avalanche have now made the signing of 23-year old KHL superstar Nikolai Kovalenko official, the talented forward who took a massive step forward during the 2022-23 season.
In 56 games, Kovalenko recorded an impressive 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points, ranking him the 11th best scorer in one of the toughest hockey leagues around the world.
When will we see him in Colorado?
Even after that incredible season, it's unlikely Kovalenko lands in Colorado until the 2024-25 season, giving him yet another year of development until he's fully prepared to take the NHL leap.
With a forward group that's already led by the talented Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantannen, Kovalenko could be an immediate addition to the team, and with so much talent and a well coached team, he should make an impact right away.