President Joe Sakic delivers bad news to Avalanche fans

The Colorado Avalanche are still basking in the glory of having won their 1st Stanley Cup championship since 2001, a span of 21 years that was ended last month when they dethroned the two-time defending champ Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought six game series. 

And already, the team that hits the ice next year for the Avs as they gather at Ball Arena in October to raise their championship banner is guaranteed to look different than the squad that left Tampa's Amalie Arena still soaked in champagne from their celebration. Joe Sakic, who was just promoted to president of hockey operations, explained that as the start of NHL free agency draws closer, his team won't be able to keep everyone that posed in their famed championship photo behind the already dented Stanley Cup. 

"We know we’re not going to be able to sign everybody,” said Joe Sakic, who on Monday was promoted from GM to president of hockey operations earlier today. “We know that. But we’ve got our priority, and then we’ll see. I think some players will test the market and see what’s out there for them and see if they want to come back, but time will tell.”

In Sakic's stead, the Avalanche have named Chris MacFarland as their GM. 

Of course, the Avalanche have many players who are up for new contracts, and they've already informed their fans that goaltender Darcy Kuemper won't be returning for a second year with the team; they've acquired Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers and subsequently signed him to a three year deal. 

Also among Colorado's current roster player that could be wearing new uniforms next season include the likes of forwards Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin and Andre Burakovsky, as well as defensemen Josh Manson and Jack Johnson. 

Regardless of which players Colorado loses, they're still set up to contend for quite a while with their core of elite talent still intact.