"We are excited to be adding a big, fast, skilled winger like Andre," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. "He already has a lot of NHL experience at a young age and is a Stanley Cup winner who has performed well in the playoffs. At just 24, he is entering the prime years of his career, and we feel with an added role he will be a great addition to our team."
Burakovsky can become a restricted free agent July 1; the forward was tendered a qualifying offer by the Capitals this week. He signed a two-year, $6 million contract (average annual value $3 million) on July 4, 2017.
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He had 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 76 regular-season games and two points (one goal, one assist) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games this season.
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said Burakovsky asked to be traded before the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25, preferably to a team that would allow him to play in the top six forwards. He played primarily on Washington's third line.
"We pursued it at the deadline, but it would have had to be a home run then," MacLellan said. "We would have had to bring back a player at that point. To trade him for picks at the deadline didn't make any sense when we were trying to put together a playoff run.
"Had the player not requested the trade, I would have preferred to keep him in that third-line role for this season."
