The Colorado Avalanche continue to make changes to their forward group.

On Wednesday afternoon, Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland agreed on their second deal in eight days. The Avalanche sent Jack Drury, prospect Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for young forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux. Drury was Colorado’s lone restricted free agent, but signing him to a number that worked for the team was always going to be difficult.

As discussed in The Denver Gazette last week and mentioned several times over the past few months, the Avalanche had previously tried to lock Drury up to a long-term deal, but the ask from the player was more than they could stomach. The new contracts of Michael McCarron and Jason Dickinson, older players who haven’t provided as much offense, made it even more apparent that signing him may not be in the cards. By moving both him and Ross Colton, the Avalanche could be looking to get a little younger up front and that youth may come in the form of the two forwards they got in this deal.

Both Svechkov and L’Heureux are former first-round picks who have had moments at the NHL level. For this trade to at least break even for the Avalanche, one or both will need to stick and make an impact. Drury might have cost too much to re-sign, but he was a valuable member of the bottom six and the team’s best faceoff man. He has played well in the playoffs each of the last two years. Trading him gives the Avalanche more freedom under the salary cap, but on paper, this would appear to make the team a little worse right now.

That could change quickly if both these young forwards fit in.

In 122 NHL games, the 23-year-old Svechkov has scored 12 goals and 34 points. The former 19th overall selection has played center and wing for the Predators and that versatility could come in handy. His underlying stats are impressive at the NHL level, so it will be up to the Avalanche to work with him and help him put it all together.

While Svechkov was taken eight selections higher in the 2021 draft, L’Heureux is a bit more intriguing because of the way he plays. The 23-year-old winger has never had issues producing in the QMJHL and AHL, but what sticks out about his game is his tenacious style of play. He has a history of crossing the line, though.

A long history.

L’Heureux was suspended nine times in the QMJHL for various infractions. Since turning pro, he’s been suspended three times, twice in the AHL and once in the NHL for slew-footing. The talent is there and quite frankly, the Avalanche could use a winger who isn’t afraid to cross the line a bit, but whether or not they reel in the young forward is the question. Undisciplined young players have historically had a tougher time breaking in on Colorado’s veteran roster, often earning the ire of coach Jared Bednar. L’Heureux will need to reel it in a bit, but if the Avalanche are smart, they shouldn’t try to neuter him too much. A talented young forward who plays on the edge could be valuable for this team.

Svechkov and L’Heureux would need to pass through waivers to make it to the AHL next season, so it’s not inconceivable to believe they’ll both start the season on the Avalanche. Both are signed for the next two seasons at a little over $2 million combined, so the Avalanche have a bit more room to maneuver under the salary cap.

With a little under $5 million in cap space, do the Avalanche now have room to circle back and see if they can work something out with defenseman Brett Kulak? The veteran was a valuable addition at the deadline and is a week away from hitting the open market. Given he was traded twice this past season, he could be looking for some stability. Valeri Nichushkin’s name has also been in the rumor mill, so Sakic’s offseason isn’t done quite yet.

The NHL draft is set to take place Friday and Saturday while free agency will open up July 1.