The Washington Capitals have traded Andre Burakovsky to the Colorado Avalanche in alternate for a second and third-round decide within the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and pending unrestricted free agent ahead Scott Kosmachuk. The third-round decide despatched on this commerce was initially owned by the Arizona Coyotes.
NEWS | The Capitals Purchase a Second and Third Spherical Choose within the 2020 NHL Entry Draft from Colorado for Andre BurakovskyPending UFA Ahead Scott Kosmachuk additionally included within the tradehttps://t.co/IEcLcE4xhY— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 28, 2019This commerce makes a variety of sense for each the Capitals and the Avalanche. Whereas each groups are contenders within the NHL, Burakovsky simply by no means discovered his footing in Washington regardless of being a really proficient winger with measurement and talent.
This commerce wasn’t one thing the Capitals essentially wished, however as a consequence of Buravkosky requesting the commerce, basic supervisor Brian MacLellan obliged and bought good worth in return.
At 6 foot three and 201 kilos, Burakovsky has at all times seemed to be one season away from breaking out in a giant manner. He carried out extremely nicely for the Erie Otters in his lone OHL season in 2013-14, scoring 41 objectives and 87 factors in 57 video games after being drafted 23rd general by the Capitals in 2013. He’d additionally rating three objectives and 7 factors in seven World Junior Championship video games for Sweden in 2014.
On the NHL degree, Burakovsky has constantly been a double-digit scorer with high-upside. Sadly, the Capitals merely couldn’t wait any longer for Burakovsky to achieve that potential as issues merely weren’t getting finished in Washington.
The puck will get away from former Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky in entrance of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Collin Delia (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nuccio DiNuzzo)
In 328 video games since 2014-15, Burakovsky has scored 62 objectives and 145 factors. His career-best yr got here in 2015-16 when he’s scored 17 objectives and 38 factors. Since then, he’s scored 12 objectives in every of the final three seasons in addition to 35 factors, 25 factors and 25 poins in 2016-17. 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively.
For the Capitals, getting two comparatively excessive draft picks for a pending restricted free agent who hasn’t reached his potential and wished out is nearly as good a return as they may have hoped for.
Burakovsky May Profit From A Change of Surroundings
On the identical time, Burakovsky remains to be simply 24 years previous and has the potential to be a lot greater than the outcomes have indicated so far. With a change of surroundings in Colorado, it’s potential that Burakovsky lastly takes that step ahead and has the season many consider he’s able to having.
The Avalanche even have openings of their prime six on each wings as Matthew Nieto and Matt Calvert are each choices to maneuver down a line with Burakovsky slotting onto a line with Alex Kerfoot. There’s additionally the potential for the Avalanche to maneuver Tyson Jost up a line, giving them a top-six of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen adopted by Jost, Kerfoot and Burakovsky.
Andre Burakovsky has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
For the potential he has and the state of affairs the Avalanche are in proper now as contenders with room to enhance, the funding for a participant like Burakovsky makes a variety of sense.
What’s left for the Avalanche now’s to determine a brand new contract with Burakovsky as he simply got here off of a two-year deal value $6 million. He might not need one other bridge contract however which may be precisely what’s within the playing cards for him as he and the Avalanche attempt to determine precisely what they’ve with one another.
