2025-26
Record: 55-16-11, 121 points, 1st in Central Division
Playoffs: Lost to Vegas in the Western Conference Final
Key Losses
F – Ross Colton (Trade w/ NAS), GM – Chris MacFarland (NAS), F – Jack Drury (Trade w/ NAS), F – Valeri Nichushkin (Trade w/ CLB), F – Joel Kiviranta (DAL)
Key Additions
F – Fedor Svechkiv (Trade w/ NAS), F – Zachary L’Heureux (Trade w/ COL), F – Jaden Schwartz (Signed via FA), D – Noah Juulsen (Signed via FA), F – Vinnie Hinostroza (Signed via FA)
2026-27 Preview
Running it Back
The Colorado Avalanche saw their season come to an abrupt end in the Western Conference Final, where injuries and fatigue contributed to a four-game sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite the disappointing finish, Colorado remains one of the NHL’s premier contenders and used the offseason to make targeted changes, particularly among its bottom-six forwards, in an effort to add more depth and balance to the lineup.
The Avalanche continue to boast one of the league’s strongest defensive corps, and if that group can stay healthy, it will once again be the foundation of their success. Combined with their elite core up front, Colorado has all the pieces necessary to make another deep playoff run. Health will be the biggest factor, but if the Avalanche can avoid the injury issues that plagued them last postseason, they should once again be among the favorites to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Can the Goaltending Duplicate Last Year?
Goaltending was one of the biggest strengths for the Avalanche during the 2025-26 season, as Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood combined to capture the William M. Jennings Trophy while backstopping Colorado to a 55-16-11 record. The duo played a pivotal role in helping the Avalanche win the Central Division, claim the top seed in the Western Conference, and capture the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s regular-season champions.
Both Blackwood and Wedgewood took unconventional paths to Colorado, but the Avalanche’s decision to deploy them as a true 1A/1B tandem proved to be one of the league’s most successful goaltending strategies. Their consistency and ability to share the workload were instrumental in Colorado’s regular-season success.
The challenge now is to prove that last season was no anomaly. Can Blackwood and Wedgewood replicate their outstanding performances, or will regression set in? Another storyline to watch is whether one goaltender emerges as the clear No. 1, or if Colorado continues to rely on a balanced tandem throughout the season.
If the duo can once again provide elite goaltending, the Avalanche will be well-positioned to contend for another Central Division title and make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Nazem Kadri — Nicolas Roy
Jaden Schwartz — Brock Nelson — Zachary L’Heureux
Parker Kelly — Fedor Svechkov — Logan O’Connor
Defense
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Goalies
Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood