The Colorado Avalanche open their 30th season in the NHL since moving from Quebec, and there’s a real buzz around the team again.
They’ve made the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons and lifted the Stanley Cup just four years ago. But since that championship run, the Avs have won only one playoff series in their last three tries.
This year, the mission is clear — stay healthy and push for another deep run.
Landeskog Returns
The biggest storyline is the return of Captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played a regular-season game since March 10, 2022.
His comeback gives the team a huge boost both on and off the ice. “We’re relatively healthy, and that’s huge to start the year,” Landeskog said.
Last season, the Avalanche battled injuries to key players like Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin, who both missed the first ten games.
This time, everyone is ready. When you add up the production missing from last October, the Avs are getting 78 goals, 60 assists, and 138 points back in their lineup.
A Deeper, Healthier Avalanche Roster
Head Coach Jared Bednar said it’s probably the deepest roster since the 2021-22 team that captured the Cup.
“We feel like we’re a deep team right now and starting healthier than we have in the past few years,” Bednar said. “Guys are all excited about it.”
The core group is intact. Brock Nelson re-signed for three more years in June, Joel Kiviranta returned on a one-year deal, and Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Scott Wedgewood are all entering their first full season in Colorado after mid-season trades.
“With Gabe back, there’s no more uncertainty about our lineup,” Nathan MacKinnon added. “We know who we are and what we need to do.”
Minor Injuries but Strong Avalanche Depth
Only goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and forward Logan O’Connor remain out as the Avs visit the Los Angeles Kings tonight at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN. Wedgewood gets the start in goal, with Trent Miner as backup.
Defenseman Devon Toews, who missed time early last season, said the stability helps. “We can get down to the nitty-gritty faster,” Toews noted. “We’re not teaching as much — we’re ready to roll.”
Avalanche Roster Notes and Prospects
The Avalanche assigned Middleton to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on Sunday. Steinburg, Attard, Behrens, MacDonald, and Solonyov are listed as injured/non-roster players to start the season.
Rookie Gavin Brindley, acquired from Columbus for Charlie Coyle, made the final roster as one of 13 forwards.
Another new face is Zakhar Bardakov, a seventh-round pick from New Jersey who came over in a trade last March after playing with SKA in the KHL.
Tonight’s Projected Lineup
Forwards
Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Necas
Landeskog – Nelson – Nichushkin
Colton – Drury – Olofsson
Kelly – Bardakov – Kiviranta
Defense
Toews – Makar
Girard – Manson
Malinski – Burns
Goalies
Wedgewood (starter)
Miner (backup)
Extras: Ahcan, Brindley
The Road Ahead
After starting 0-4-0 last season, the Avalanche are determined to flip the script. With Landeskog back, Nichushkin and Lehkonen healthy, and the blue line solid, this is a hungry group.
“I think we’re as motivated and excited as we’ve been in a long time,” Landeskog said. “That’s a great way to start the year.”
The question now — can Colorado stay healthy, build on this depth, and make the right moves at the deadline?
Time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the Avalanche are once again a serious Stanley Cup contender heading into the 2025-26 season.
