Colorado made moves on Wednesday that filled a desperately needed hole in its lineup.

The Colorado Avalanche made two big moves Wednesday that freed up nearly $5 million in cap space. The additional spending money gives the Avalanche flexibility to make more changes so there could be another addition before the trade deadline at 1 p.m. MT on Friday.

The first transaction sent Ryan Johansen and a draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for Sean Walker and a draft pick. 

Defenseman Bowen Byram was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Casey Mittelstadt shortly after. The difference in the players' salaries is $1.35 million. Byram signed a two-year contract on July 1 as a restricted free agent for $7.7 million and was at $3.85 million this season. Mittelstadt comes to the Avs with a $2.5 million contract and becomes a restricted free agent on July 1. 

The timing of the trades seemed to intertwine as part of the big picture to get a reliable, solid second-line center. MacFarland said there was a connection to the moves.

"It was certainly part of the equation. It would have been really, really hard to do, to move Bo (Byram). It was hard to move Bo, period," MacFarland said. "He's an amazing human being, and a great hockey player. So that's one of the tougher things we've ever had to do. But definitely getting a really good defenseman in return was certainly part of the equation for us, yes."

The newly-acquired center played on the second line in Buffalo so the expectation is that he will slide into that same spot with the Avs. 

"I think he's their leading scorer, but he's got good hands. He's a very good playmaking center with really good vision," Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland said. "We think the last two years, his game has taken a jump. He's gotten stronger with experience, and we think there might even be another level to his game. And we think we have a very good role for him. So we're excited to get him in the burgundy and blue and go from there."

Byram was a first-round pick (fourth overall) by the Avalanche and a highly-skilled player who was well respected by the organization.

"Bo (Byram) obviously great friend, tough to see him go. He’s such a great guy and we’ll miss him. We’ll miss his personality a lot, obviously, and as a player, obviously, amazing player. I’m excited to see him develop in Buffalo. I think he’s going to be a stud more than he already is," Nathan MacKinnon said after the 7-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. "Obviously, Joey (Ryan Johansen), only half a year but awesome guy, awesome person. Wish him the best as well. Walker and Mittelstadt coming in. The league’s small. You hear who’s a good guy, who’s not and I’ve heard awesome things about those two and looking forward to meeting them and playing with them.”    

As the captain of the team, Gabriel Landeskog has conversations with the front office on personnel changes, according to MacFarland. 

"I talk to Gabe (Landeskog) all the time. He's our captain. He's in touch with our group. Not sure day-to-day type things on every potential acquisition or thing we're kicking around, but certainly the important stuff," MacFarland said. "He has a big voice and always gives me an honest opinion and assessment of things, and [is] somebody that we lean on and will continue to lean on in all facets of our team."

The two new additions will join the Avalanche on Thursday and are expected to play against the Minnesota Wild on Friday. 

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