The Avalanche are bigger, stronger, and deeper than they were a week ago, according to general manager Chris MacFarland.

That’s probably true. They’re also older and will enter the summer with a lot more uncertainty looking towards the future.

It’s officially Stanley Cup or bust.

MacFarland has completely transformed this Avalanche roster since Thanksgiving, making eight trades to shake things up for his squad. Some of those trades were necessary (Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood), some were franchise-altering (Mikko Rantanen), and some were an attempt to put his team over the top (Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle).

A Stanley Cup has been the end goal for this franchise for a few years now, but that feels like the case even more so this season.

“They’re in it to try and do damage, not get a playoff spot, and see where the chips fall in the end,” MacFarland said. “The offseason is for the offseason. We’ll figure that out as we move along.”

The writing was on the wall with the addition of Nelson that Casey Mittelstadt might not be around much longer. As it turns out, he didn’t even last another 24 hours. A disappointing end for a player, the Avalanche had to give up a good, young defenseman to acquire last season.

It’s safe to say MacFarland did not see this ending coming when he acquired the 26-year-old center 366 days prior.

“I think he’d be the first to tell you the last few months were a struggle,” MacFarland said. “I do know that he cares and that he’s a really good hockey player, and I think he’s going to do really well for the Bruins.”

Replacing Mittelstadt on the roster is veteran forward Charlie Coyle. The 33-year-old was having a down year in Boston, but so is most of that team. He’ll probably start in a reduced role with the Avalanche where there isn’t as much pressure to score on a nightly basis.

During the first 3 minutes of MacFarland’s press conference, he used the word “big” on five occasions to describe both Coyle and Nelson. It’s clear that was a point of emphasis for the front office ahead of the trade deadline.

“Definitely thought we needed to get a little bit bigger,” MacFarland said. “You just want to be well-versed to play any type of game, whether it’s in the gritty areas of the ice, ground and pound, or attack. I think with this group, we’re more well-versed to handle different types of games that we potentially could face.”

The addition they’re hoping will make the biggest impact is the 6-foot-4 Nelson. He arrived in Denver on Saturday and practiced with the team, taking Mittelstadt’s spot between Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin. Coming from a non-playoff team to a team looking to win a Stanley Cup, he understands there’s pressure. That’s not a bad thing.

“Definitely pressure, but I think with that, it just means you have an opportunity,” Nelson said. “You grab that and use that, harness the energy. That’s what you want.”

Nelson knows a few of the players in the locker room already, none more than defenseman Devon Toews, who couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Fired up,” Toews said. “I think it’s a great fit here for him with how he approaches the game, our culture here, what we’re trying to do and build. I’ve been putting that one in his mind for a long time hoping that he ends up here because I think he’s a great player, great person, and somebody that fits our team identity really well.”

Everyone’s excited about the new additions. What they aren’t all that excited about is old friend Rantanen being back in the Central Division playing for a team that isn’t the Avalanche.

The former Avalanche star was dealt to the Dallas Stars before the deadline and subsequently signed an eight-year contract extension with them. If Rantanen had stayed in Carolina, the earliest the Avalanche would have played him was in a potential Stanley Cup final matchup. They’re going to see him a lot sooner now, as Rantanen and the Stars come to Ball Arena on March 16.

Not only that, but there’s a very real chance the Avalanche and Stars will meet in round one of the playoffs. How’s that for some drama?

Nathan MacKinnon didn’t really want to talk about the Rantanen news. When asked if he had any reactions to the trade, he was blunt.

“No, not really,” MacKinnon said.

Toews elaborated a bit more.

“I already talked to Mikko about it, too,” Toews said. “I don’t think it’s something either of us are really looking forward to, is playing against each other. Just with the history we have with him and winning and being such a key part of this team and such a close friendship, it’s always hard to have those matches against each other, but it’s part of the business. Four times a year just doesn’t sound fun for me to have to deal with or this (defensive) core to have to deal with either.”

The reaction Rantanen gets from fans will be fascinating to watch on March 16. No doubt many of them feel burned by how this has all turned out, even if Rantanen had no idea this is what would happen two months ago.

He’s still got fans in that locker room, though.

“Happy for him that he’s in a spot where he’s settled, stability, something I think he was longing for,” Toews said. “You always root for the person more than you do for the player sometimes. You got to play against them and beat them, but you always root for the person. He’s a great person, so I’m super happy for him.”

It’s Cup or bust for the Avalanche and perhaps the biggest obstacle standing in their way is Rantanen.

Who could have seen that coming two months ago?