What happened: Former Colorado Avalanche prospect Danil Gushchin has signed a two-year contract to return to the KHL. The move comes after Colorado declined to issue him a qualifying offer this offseason.

Why it matters: The departure concludes the Avalanche's return on a 2025 prospect swap with the San Jose Sharks that initially brought the forward to the organization. He struggled to break through a crowded depth chart, limiting his overall impact during his North American tenure.

What to watch: Colorado will continue managing its offseason roster construction, highlighted by the looming financial impact of Cale Makar's upcoming contract extension.