# 2001–02 Colorado Avalanche season

The 2001–02 Colorado Avalanche season was the Avalanche's seventh season. At the end of the regular season, Patrick Roy had a goals against average (GAA) of 1.94 and a save percentage of .925. For his efforts, Roy earned the William M. Jennings Trophy and was a First Team All-Star for the fourth time in his career. The Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round in seven games, then San Jose in the second round in seven games, but lost to the higher-seeded Detroit Red Wings in seven games after being up 3–2 in the series and lost game 7, 7–0, against Detroit. Until the 2021–22 season, this remained the last season in which the Avalanche made it past the second round of the playoffs, and in advance, played in the Western Conference Finals.

## Regular season

* December 26, 2001: In a 2–0 shutout over the Dallas Stars, Patrick Roy became the first goalie to win 500 games in a career.
The Avalanche finished the regular season first overall in goaltending, having allowed 169 goals. They also led the league in shutouts, with 11. Combined with the 10 games in which the team itself was shut out, 21 of the Avalanche's 82 regular-season games ended in a shutout.

### Final standings

Northwest Division :
| No. | CR | | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | 2 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 45 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 212 | 169 | 99 |
| 2 | 8 | Vancouver Canucks | 82 | 42 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 254 | 211 | 94 |
| 3 | 9 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 38 | 28 | 12 | 4 | 205 | 182 | 92 |
| 4 | 11 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 32 | 35 | 12 | 3 | 201 | 220 | 79 |
| 5 | 12 | Minnesota Wild | 82 | 26 | 35 | 12 | 9 | 195 | 238 | 73 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Western Conference :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – Detroit Red Wings | CEN | 82 | 51 | 17 | 10 | 4 | 251 | 187 | 116 |
| 2 | y – Colorado Avalanche | NW | 82 | 45 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 212 | 169 | 99 |
| 3 | y – San Jose Sharks | PAC | 82 | 44 | 27 | 8 | 3 | 248 | 199 | 99 |
| 4 | St. Louis Blues | CEN | 82 | 43 | 27 | 8 | 4 | 227 | 188 | 98 |
| 5 | Chicago Blackhawks | CEN | 82 | 41 | 27 | 13 | 1 | 216 | 207 | 96 |
| 6 | Phoenix Coyotes | PAC | 82 | 40 | 27 | 9 | 6 | 228 | 210 | 95 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Kings | PAC | 82 | 40 | 27 | 11 | 4 | 214 | 190 | 95 |
| 8 | Vancouver Canucks | NW | 82 | 42 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 254 | 211 | 94 |
| 8.5 |||||||||||
| 9 | Edmonton Oilers | NW | 82 | 38 | 28 | 12 | 4 | 205 | 182 | 92 |
| 10 | Dallas Stars | PAC | 82 | 36 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 215 | 213 | 90 |
| 11 | Calgary Flames | NW | 82 | 32 | 35 | 12 | 3 | 201 | 220 | 79 |
| 12 | Minnesota Wild | NW | 82 | 26 | 35 | 12 | 9 | 195 | 238 | 73 |
| 13 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | PAC | 82 | 29 | 42 | 8 | 3 | 175 | 198 | 69 |
| 14 | Nashville Predators | CEN | 82 | 28 | 41 | 13 | 0 | 196 | 230 | 69 |
| 15 | Columbus Blue Jackets | CEN | 82 | 22 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 164 | 255 | 57 |
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest
bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division

## Schedule and results
### Regular season

2001–02 regular season :
October: 7–6–0–0 (home: 4–2–0–0; road: 3–4–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1WOctober 3, 20013–1@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2001–02)1–0–0–0Recap
2WOctober 9, 20015–4Vancouver Canucks (2001–02)2–0–0–0Recap
3LOctober 11, 20013–5@ Edmonton Oilers (2001–02)2–1–0–0Recap
4LOctober 13, 20010–4@ Vancouver Canucks (2001–02)2–2–0–0Recap
5WOctober 16, 20012–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2001–02)3–2–0–0Recap
6LOctober 18, 20011–4Edmonton Oilers (2001–02)3–3–0–0Recap
7WOctober 20, 20015–0@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2001–02)4–3–0–0Recap
8LOctober 21, 20012–4@ Chicago Blackhawks (2001–02)4–4–0–0Recap
9WOctober 23, 20015–1Carolina Hurricanes (2001–02)5–4–0–0Recap
10WOctober 25, 20014–1Vancouver Canucks (2001–02)6–4–0–0Recap
11LOctober 27, 20010–1@ Phoenix Coyotes (2001–02)6–5–0–0Recap
12WOctober 28, 20013–2@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2001–02)7–5–0–0Recap
13LOctober 31, 20010–1St. Louis Blues (2001–02)7–6–0–0Recap :
November: 6–6–1–0 (home: 4–0–0–0; road: 2–6–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
14LNovember 2, 20012–4@ Minnesota Wild (2001–02)7–7–0–0Recap
15LNovember 3, 20011–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2001–02)7–8–0–0Recap
16TNovember 6, 20011–1 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (2001–02)7–8–1–0Recap
17LNovember 8, 20010–1@ Ottawa Senators (2001–02)7–9–1–0Recap
18LNovember 10, 20010–2@ Calgary Flames (2001–02)7–10–1–0Recap
19WNovember 14, 20011–0Minnesota Wild (2001–02)8–10–1–0Recap
20WNovember 16, 20011–0New York Islanders (2001–02)9–10–1–0Recap
21WNovember 18, 20012–0@ New Jersey Devils (2001–02)10–10–1–0Recap
22LNovember 20, 20013–5@ New York Rangers (2001–02)10–11–1–0Recap
23LNovember 21, 20014–5@ New York Islanders (2001–02)10–12–1–0Recap
24WNovember 24, 20012–0Edmonton Oilers (2001–02)11–12–1–0Recap
25WNovember 27, 20014–1Florida Panthers (2001–02)12–12–1–0Recap
26WNovember 30, 20015–2@ Vancouver Canucks (2001–02)13–12–1–0Recap :
December: 9–3–3–0 (home: 4–2–2–0; road: 5–1–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
27TDecember 1, 20012–2 OT@ Calgary Flames (2001–02)13–12–2–0Recap
28WDecember 3, 20014–2Ottawa Senators (2001–02)14–12–2–0Recap
29WDecember 5, 20014–1@ Detroit Red Wings (2001–02)15–12–2–0Recap
30WDecember 7, 20014–1@ Buffalo Sabres (2001–02)16–12–2–0Recap
31WDecember 8, 20012–0@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2001–02)17–12–2–0Recap
32TDecember 10, 20011–1 OTMighty Ducks of Anaheim (2001–02)17–12–3–0Recap
33WDecember 12, 20015–1Columbus Blue Jackets (2001–02)18–12–3–0Recap
34LDecember 14, 20010–3San Jose Sharks (2001–02)18–13–3–0Recap
35WDecember 16, 20013–2 OT@ Minnesota Wild (2001–02)19–13–3–0Recap
36WDecember 19, 20012–1Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2001–02)20–13–3–0Recap
37TDecember 21, 20012–2 OTCalgary Flames (2001–02)20–13–4–0Recap
38WDecember 23, 20016–3Minnesota Wild (2001–02)21–13–4–0Recap
39WDecember 26, 20012–0@ Dallas Stars (2001–02)22–13–4–0Recap
40LDecember 27, 20011–3@ Chicago Blackhawks (2001–02)22–14–4–0Recap
41LDecember 29, 20012–5Philadelphia Flyers (2001–02)22–15–4–0Recap :
January: 8–3–2–1 (home: 4–2–0–1; road: 4–1–2–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
42TJanuary 1, 20024–4 OT@ Nashville Predators (2001–02)22–15–5–0Recap
43WJanuary 3, 20023–2 OTNew York Rangers (2001–02)23–15–5–0Recap
44LJanuary 5, 20021–3@ Detroit Red Wings (2001–02)23–16–5–0Recap
45WJanuary 9, 20027–3Chicago Blackhawks (2001–02)24–16–5–0Recap
46TJanuary 12, 20022–2 OT@ Edmonton Oilers (2001–02)24–16–6–0Recap
47OTLJanuary 15, 20020–1 OTSan Jose Sharks (2001–02)24–16–6–1Recap
48WJanuary 17, 20023–2 OTPhoenix Coyotes (2001–02)25–16–6–1Recap
49WJanuary 19, 20023–1@ San Jose Sharks (2001–02)26–16–6–1Recap
50WJanuary 21, 20023–2Buffalo Sabres (2001–02)27–16–6–1Recap
51WJanuary 23, 20024–2@ Edmonton Oilers (2001–02)28–16–6–1Recap
52WJanuary 24, 20022–0@ Calgary Flames (2001–02)29–16–6–1Recap
53WJanuary 26, 20024–2@ Los Angeles Kings (2001–02)30–16–6–1Recap
54LJanuary 28, 20024–6Los Angeles Kings (2001–02)30–17–6–1Recap
55LJanuary 30, 20022–5Nashville Predators (2001–02)30–18–6–1Recap :
February: 4–2–1–0 (home: 3–2–1–0; road: 1–0–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
56LFebruary 4, 20021–3Detroit Red Wings (2001–02)30–19–6–1Recap
57WFebruary 8, 20026–0@ Minnesota Wild (2001–02)31–19–6–1Recap
58LFebruary 9, 20022–3Chicago Blackhawks (2001–02)31–20–6–1Recap
59WFebruary 11, 20025–2Boston Bruins (2001–02)32–20–6–1Recap
60WFebruary 13, 20023–1St. Louis Blues (2001–02)33–20–6–1Recap
61TFebruary 26, 20022–2 OTCalgary Flames (2001–02)33–20–7–1Recap
62WFebruary 28, 20022–1 OTPhoenix Coyotes (2001–02)34–20–7–1Recap :
March: 7–6–0–0 (home: 3–3–0–0; road: 4–3–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
63LMarch 2, 20021–2Dallas Stars (2001–02)34–21–7–1Recap
64WMarch 4, 20022–0New Jersey Devils (2001–02)35–21–7–1Recap
65WMarch 6, 20024–1Columbus Blue Jackets (2001–02)36–21–7–1Recap
66WMarch 9, 20024–3Los Angeles Kings (2001–02)37–21–7–1Recap
67WMarch 11, 20023–2@ St. Louis Blues (2001–02)38–21–7–1Recap
68LMarch 14, 20020–2@ Atlanta Thrashers (2001–02)38–22–7–1Recap
69WMarch 16, 20022–1@ Philadelphia Flyers (2001–02)39–22–7–1Recap
70WMarch 17, 20025–4@ Nashville Predators (2001–02)40–22–7–1Recap
71LMarch 19, 20020–3Washington Capitals (2001–02)40–23–7–1Recap
72LMarch 21, 20021–3@ Los Angeles Kings (2001–02)40–24–7–1Recap
73LMarch 23, 20020–2Detroit Red Wings (2001–02)40–25–7–1Recap
74WMarch 28, 20023–2@ San Jose Sharks (2001–02)41–25–7–1Recap
75LMarch 30, 20023–5@ Phoenix Coyotes (2001–02)41–26–7–1Recap :
April: 4–2–1–0 (home: 2–1–1–0; road: 2–1–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
76WApril 1, 20025–1Nashville Predators (2001–02)42–26–7–1Recap
77WApril 3, 20026–0Atlanta Thrashers (2001–02)43–26–7–1Recap
78LApril 5, 20021–3@ Dallas Stars (2001–02)43–27–7–1Recap
79WApril 7, 20024–2@ St. Louis Blues (2001–02)44–27–7–1Recap
80LApril 9, 20021–2Vancouver Canucks (2001–02)44–28–7–1Recap
81WApril 12, 20023–1@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2001–02)45–28–7–1Recap
82TApril 14, 20022–2 OTDallas Stars (2001–02)45–28–8–1Recap :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Tie (1 point)
  Overtime loss (1 point) :

### Playoffs

2002 Stanley Cup playoffs :
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings – Avalanche win 4–3
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WApril 18, 20024–3Los Angeles KingsAvalanche lead 1–0Recap
2WApril 20, 20025–3Los Angeles KingsAvalanche lead 2–0Recap
3LApril 22, 20021–3@ Los Angeles KingsAvalanche lead 2–1Recap
4WApril 23, 20021–0@ Los Angeles KingsAvalanche lead 3–1Recap
5LApril 25, 20020–1 OTLos Angeles KingsAvalanche lead 3–2Recap
6LApril 27, 20021–3@ Los Angeles KingsSeries tied 3–3Recap
7WApril 29, 20024–0Los Angeles KingsAvalanche win 4–3Recap :
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (3) San Jose Sharks – Avalanche win 4–3
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1LMay 1, 20023–6San Jose SharksSharks lead 1–0Recap
2WMay 4, 20028–2San Jose SharksSeries tied 1–1Recap
3LMay 6, 20024–6@ San Jose SharksSharks lead 2–1Recap
4WMay 8, 20024–1@ San Jose SharksSeries tied 2–2Recap
5LMay 11, 20023–5San Jose SharksSharks lead 3–2Recap
6WMay 13, 20022–1 OT@ San Jose SharksSeries tied 3–3Recap
7WMay 15, 20021–0San Jose SharksAvalanche win 4–3Recap :
Western Conference Finals vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings – Red Wings win 4–3
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1LMay 18, 20023–5@ Detroit Red WingsRed Wings lead 1–0Recap
2WMay 20, 20024–3 OT@ Detroit Red WingsSeries tied 1–1Recap
3LMay 22, 20021–2 OTDetroit Red WingsRed Wings lead 2–1Recap
4WMay 25, 20023–2Detroit Red WingsSeries tied 2–2Recap
5WMay 27, 20022–1 OT@ Detroit Red WingsAvalanche lead 3–2Recap
6LMay 29, 20020–2Detroit Red WingsSeries tied 3–3Recap
7LMay 31, 20020–7@ Detroit Red WingsRed Wings win 4–3Recap :
Legend:
  Win
  Loss :

## Player statistics
### Scoring

* Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
* † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.
* ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.
| No. | Player | Pos | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| No. | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| 19 | Joe Sakic | C | 82 | 26 | 53 | 79 | 12 | 18 | 21 | 9 | 10 | 19 | −2 | 4 |
| 4 | Rob Blake | D | 75 | 16 | 40 | 56 | 16 | 58 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 12 | −1 | 16 |
| 40 | Alex Tanguay | LW | 70 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 8 | 36 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 13 | −8 | 0 |
| 18 | Chris Drury | C | 82 | 21 | 25 | 46 | 1 | 38 | 21 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 10 |
| 28 | Steve Reinprecht | C | 67 | 19 | 27 | 46 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 8 |
| 23 | Milan Hejduk | RW | 62 | 21 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 24 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −4 | 4 |
| 41 | Martin Skoula | D | 82 | 10 | 21 | 31 | −3 | 42 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 6 | −5 | 2 |
| 17 | Radim Vrbata | RW | 52 | 18 | 12 | 30 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −5 | 0 |
| 52 | Adam Foote | D | 55 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 7 | 55 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −2 | 28 |
| 10 | Ville Nieminen‡ | LW | 53 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 1 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Greg de Vries | D | 82 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 18 | 57 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| 26 | Stephane Yelle | C | 73 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 48 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 2 | −3 | 14 |
| 29 | Eric Messier | LW | 74 | 5 | 10 | 15 | −5 | 26 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −4 | 0 |
| 50 | Brian Willsie | RW | 56 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Pascal Trepanier | D | 74 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 4 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 0 |
| 13 | Dan Hinote | RW | 58 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 39 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −3 | 9 |
| 25 | Shjon Podein‡ | LW | 41 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | Brad Larsen | LW | 50 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 47 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −4 | 13 |
| 12 | Mike Keane† | RW | 22 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 16 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| 32 | Riku Hahl | C | 22 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 14 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −3 | 0 |
| 27 | Scott Parker | RW | 63 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 154 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | Vaclav Nedorost | C | 25 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | Todd Gill‡ | D | 36 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 33 | Patrick Roy | G | 63 | 0 | 3 | 3 | | 26 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | | 0 |
| 20 | Kelly Fairchild | C | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | Bryan Muir | D | 22 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 2 |
| 37 | Jordan Krestanovich | LW | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 45 | Jeff Daw | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1 | David Aebischer | G | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 2 |
| 6 | Rick Berry‡ | D | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Darius Kasparaitis† | D | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 18 |
| 36 | Steve Moore | C | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 43 | Jaroslav Obsut | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | Peter Forsberg | C | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 8 | 20 |

### Goaltending

| No. | Player | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| No. | Player | GP | W | L | T | SA | GA | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI | GP | W | L | SA | GA | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI |
| 33 | Patrick Roy | 63 | 32 | 23 | 8 | 1629 | 122 | 1.94 | .925 | 9 | 3773 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 572 | 52 | 2.51 | .909 | 3 | 1241 |
| 1 | David Aebischer | 21 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 538 | 37 | 1.88 | .931 | 2 | 1184 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 1.76 | .929 | 0 | 34 |

## Awards and records
### Awards

| Type | Award/honor | Recipient |
| League (annual) | NHL First All-Star Team | Patrick Roy (Goaltender) |
| League (annual) | NHL First All-Star Team | Joe Sakic (Center) |
| League (annual) | NHL Second All-Star Team | Rob Blake (Defense) |
| League (annual) | William M. Jennings Trophy | Patrick Roy |
| League (in-season) | NHL All-Star Game selection | Rob Blake |
| League (in-season) | NHL All-Star Game selection | Patrick Roy |
| League (in-season) | NHL All-Star Game selection | Joe Sakic |
| League (in-season) | NHL Player of the Week | Patrick Roy (November 19) |
| League (in-season) | NHL Player of the Week | Joe Sakic (December 10) |
| League (in-season) | NHL Rookie of the Month | Radim Vrbata (February) |
| League (in-season) | NHL YoungStars Game selection | Alex Tanguay |

### Milestones

| Milestone | Player | Date |
| First game | Vaclav Nedorost | October 3, 2001 |
| First game | Radim Vrbata | November 20, 2001 |
| First game | Steve Moore | January 1, 2002 |
| First game | Riku Hahl | January 9, 2002 |
| First game | Jeff Daw | January 30, 2002 |
| First game | Jordan Krestanovich | March 19, 2002 |
| 1,000th game played | Todd Gill | January 21, 2002 |
| 1,000th game played | Joe Sakic | March 9, 2002 |

## Transactions

The Avalanche were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2001, the day after the deciding game of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 13, 2002, the day of the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.

### Trades

| Date | Details | Details |
| June 24, 2001 (2001-06-24) | To Colorado Avalanche 5th-round pick in 2001 | To Carolina Hurricanes Chris Dingman |
| June 24, 2001 (2001-06-24) | To Colorado Avalanche Los Angeles’ 6th-round pick in 2001 | To Tampa Bay Lightning Nolan Pratt |
| June 24, 2001 (2001-06-24) | To Colorado Avalanche 9th-round pick in 2002 | To Tampa Bay Lightning 9th-round pick in 2001 |
| January 24, 2002 (2002-01-24) | To Colorado Avalanche Brett Clark | To Atlanta Thrashers Frederic Cassivi |
| February 11, 2002 (2002-02-11) | To Colorado Avalanche Mike Keane | To St. Louis Blues Shjon Podein |
| March 1, 2002 (2002-03-01) | To Colorado Avalanche D. J. Smith | To Nashville Predators Future considerations |
| March 19, 2002 (2002-03-19) | To Colorado Avalanche Darius Kasparaitis | To Pittsburgh Penguins Rick BerryVille Nieminen |

### Players acquired

| Date | Player | Former team | Term | Via |
| July 24, 2001 (2001-07-24) | Todd Gill | Detroit Red Wings | 1-year | Free agency |
| July 30, 2001 (2001-07-30) | Jeff Daw | Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) | 1-year | Free agency |
| August 8, 2001 (2001-08-08) | Jeff Paul | Chicago Blackhawks | 2-year | Free agency |
| August 9, 2001 (2001-08-09) | Jaroslav Obsut | St. Louis Blues | 1-year | Free agency |
| September 6, 2001 (2001-09-06) | Pascal Trepanier | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | 1-year | Free agency |

### Players lost

| Date | Player | New team | Via |
| June 26, 2001 (2001-06-26) | Ray Bourque | | Retirement (III) |
| June 27, 2001 (2001-06-27) | Rob Shearer | HC TPS (Liiga) | Free agency (UFA) |
| July 1, 2001 (2001-07-01) | Jon Klemm | Chicago Blackhawks | Free agency (III) |
| July 1, 2001 (2001-07-01) | Dave Reid | | Contract expiration (III) |
| August 14, 2001 (2001-08-14) | Brian White | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | Free agency (VI) |
| August 15, 2001 (2001-08-15) | Joel Prpic | San Jose Sharks | Free agency (VI) |
| September 5, 2001 (2001-09-05) | Mike Craig | San Jose Sharks | Free agency (UFA) |
| September 26, 2001 (2001-09-26) | Nick Bootland | Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) | Free agency (UFA) |
| N/A | Ben Storey | EK Zell am See (EBEL) | Free agency (UFA) |
| October 25, 2001 (2001-10-25) | Dan Smith | Colorado Gold Kings (WCHL) | Free agency (UFA) |
| February 11, 2002 (2002-02-11) | Todd Gill | | Release |

### Signings

| Date | Player | Term | Contract type |
| July 1, 2001 (2001-07-01) | Rob Blake | 5-year | Re-signing |
| July 1, 2001 (2001-07-01) | Patrick Roy | 3-year | Re-signing |
| July 1, 2001 (2001-07-01) | Joe Sakic | 5-year | Re-signing |
| July 27, 2001 (2001-07-27) | Brent Thompson | 2-year | Re-signing |
| August 6, 2001 (2001-08-06) | Yuri Babenko | | Re-signing |
| August 6, 2001 (2001-08-06) | Kelly Fairchild | 1-year | Re-signing |
| August 6, 2001 (2001-08-06) | Scott Parker | 3-year | Re-signing |
| August 7, 2001 (2001-08-07) | Greg de Vries | 2-year | Re-signing |
| August 15, 2001 (2001-08-15) | David Aebischer | 3-year | Re-signing |
| August 16, 2001 (2001-08-16) | Eric Messier | 3-year | Re-signing |
| January 15, 2002 (2002-01-15) | Peter Forsberg | 1-year | Extension |

## Draft picks

Colorado's draft picks at the 2001 NHL entry draft held at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 2 | 63 | Peter Budaj | Slovakia | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 3 | 97 | Danny Bois | Canada | London Knights (OHL) |
| 4 | 130 | Colt King | Canada | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 5 | 143 | Frantisek Skladany | Slovakia | Boston University (NCAA) |
| 5 | 144 | Cody McCormick | Canada | Belleville Bulls (OHL) |
| 5 | 149 | Mikko Viitanen | Finland | Ahmat Hyvinkaa (Finland) |
| 5 | 165 | Pierre-Luc Emond | Canada | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
| 6 | 184 | Scott Horvath | United States | University of Massachusetts Amherst (Hockey East) |
| 6 | 196 | Charlie Stephens | Canada | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 7 | 227 | Marek Svatos | Slovakia | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |