Some new faces in the Avalanche lineup are expected to make an impact on the team for the 2023-24 season. So who are these guys?

The familiar faces are still in Colorado – Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. That core isn’t going anywhere. But there are a few new players suiting up in burgundy and blue for the 2023-24 season.

The Avalanche’s front office brought in four new key players and re-signed some other important pieces to the team’s depth. So who are these guys?

Meet the newbies

Forward Ryan Johansen

Center Ryan Johansen, 30, was acquired from the Nashville Predators for Alex Galchenyuk on June 24. He brings size — 6 feet, 3 inches tall, 218 pounds — and speed along with a solid faceoff win percentage to the team.

While Johansen is at the end of his recovery from a leg surgery last season, he plans on being 100% come training camp time.

He was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010 (fourth overall) and spent four and a half seasons with Columbus before being traded midseason in 2016 to the Predators.

Johansen is expected to fill the second-line center position but as with any new member to a team, he has to earn that spot.

“It’s a real cool opportunity to come into this group and do what I can do and do what I do, and hope to get back to that same stage,” Johansen told the Colorado media after the trade was announced.

With Johansen coming from a rival Central Division team, he’s familiar with the Avalanche style of play and shouldn’t need too much adjusting to their system.

Forward Jonathan Drouin

The Avs picked up Jonathan Drouin, a former junior hockey teammate of MacKinnon’s and who was drafted the same year.

The Tampa Bay Lightning took the left winger third overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Bolts before signing with the Montreal Canadiens where he spent the last six seasons.

While Drouin’s time in Montreal had some ups and downs, a fresh start with the Avalanche could be the spark he needs to elevate his play to the level expected of him.

The 28-year-old played two years with MacKinnon in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Halifax Mooseheads. The pair put up 22 points in four games of the Memorial Cup Championship to win the franchise’s first-ever trophy.

Avs general manager Chris MacFarland said he consulted MacKinnon during the move to get his insight on bringing Drouin to Colorado.

Drouin brings speed and skill to a team that has built its foundation on those qualities. But the 5-foot, 11-inch tall forward played a different style in the Eastern Conference so it may take some time for him to adjust to the Avalanche system.

If he finds his footing and rises to the potential that he never achieved with the Habs, Drouin could possibly play on the top line with MacKinnon. But he will need to earn that spot and that takes a high level of compete that he’ll have to prove.

Drouin has battled injuries and adversity throughout his career but could end up being a top playmaker for the Avalanche. Worst case, he is a solid second-line winger or adds depth to the bottom six. Just have to see where he fits in and what level he’s on with his new team.

Forward Miles Wood

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Miles Wood is a big player with a big presence. His grit and size are just what Colorado needed to create more scoring opportunities in front of the net.

Wood was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2013 and spent his entire career with the organization before coming to the Avalanche. And he was on MacFarland’s radar for a while.

His net-front presence is expected to help open up lanes and allow Colorado’s top scorers more chances. He’s a tough player who works to get the puck to the net.

Although he’s coming from an Eastern Conference team, the Devils have a similar style of play as the Avalanche. They’re a fast team with skilled shooters so Wood shouldn’t have too hard of time fitting in.

Forward Ross Colton

The Avs added to the depth chart with forward Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colton is a solid two-way player with a plethora of playoff experience. He is strong in faceoff wins and plays hard to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

"Ross is a hard-working, two-way center with a championship pedigree,” MacFarland said after the trade. “He has physicality to his game, is ultra-competitive and his versatility will make him a valuable addition to our lineup in a lot of ways.”

Colton was a restricted free agent and filed for arbitration with a hearing date set for July 27, but signed a four-year deal avoiding arbitration on July 17. According to puckpedia, Colton will make $4 million per year. 

While everything is still speculation at this point as it's not even training camp yet, the expectations are set and the Avalanche will be a Stanley Cup contender if the chemistry is right.