2024-25
Record: 49-19-4, 3rd in Central Division
Playoffs: Lost in Western Conference First Round
Key Losses
Charlie Coyle (F – Trade with CLB), Miles Wood (F – Trade with CLB), Jonathan Drouin (F – Signed with NYI), Ryan Lindgren (D – Signed with SEA), Joel Kiviranta (F – UFA), and Erik Johnson (D – UFA)
Key Additions
Brent Burns (D – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Landeskog’s Impact
During the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, captain Gabriel Landeskog returned to the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup, and played in the final five games of their playoff series. This marked the first time in 1,032 days since the last time he played for the Avalanche. In the five games played, Landeskog recorded a goal and 3 assists for 4 points.
“There’s only one Gabe Landeskog in the world,” Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon said after Landeskog scored in his second game back. “That kind of person and player. We missed him. There was a big hole in our room for three years and it’s nice to have him back and it means the world to all of us.”
While Landeskog played well in his return, one will have to wonder how he will fare during a full 82 games season for the first time in three years. One promising sign for Landeskog was his playing time in the five games. With every game, his minutes increased to where he was playing 20 minutes in the Avalanche’s final game of the playoffs.
Bednar on Hot Seat?
Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 the Avalanche have not been able to get past the second round. Granted, the last three seasons were played without Landeskog, but questions do point to head coach Jared Bednar, and whether he’s losing some steam behind the bench and in the locker room.
The hiring of Dave Hakstol as assistant coach could be a sign that the pressure is on Bednar this season. Hakstol formerly was the head coach in Philadelphia and Seattle, including being a Jack Adams Award finalist in 2023. Some view Hakstol as the potential replacement for Bednar if things don’t start off strong or if the team starts to slip during the season.
“Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience behind the bench and will be a great fit on Jared’s staff,” said Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland. “He has an extensive coaching background with a lot of success and will be a valuable addition to our team.”
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Avalanche,” said Hakstol. “This is a proud organization with a lot of talented players and a tremendous coaching staff led by Jared Bednar. I look forward to being a part of this special group and can’t wait to get to work and help the team in any way that I can. My family and I are also very much looking forward to being a part of this community and wonderful state of Colorado.”
Only time will tell how things will go, but one probably wouldn’t expect a midseason change. I can see another struggle in the playoffs being the deciding factor on Bednar’s future in Colorado.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Ross Colton
Zakhar Bardakov — Ivan Ivan — Matt Stienburg
Defense
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Brent Burns
Sam Malinski — Josh Manson
Goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Resources
- Maeir, Coby. Welcome Back, Cap: Gabriel Landeskog Made His Triumphant Return to Avalanche Lineup, June 16, 2025. https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/topic/zzzdelete/player-recap-gabriel-landeskog.
- Avalanche, PR. Avalanche Hires Dave Hakstol, July 8, 2025. https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/dave-hakstol-hired-assistant-coach.
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