The Avalanche boast reliability in goal with Wedgewood and Blackwood. Since Dec. 8 — the day before Blackwood arrived from San Jose and shortly after Wedgewood joined from Nashville — Colorado allowed just 2.37 goals per game, ranking third-best in the NHL during that stretch.
The key question is how to maximize forward depth. Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson anchor the top two center spots, while Jack Drury is expected to handle the third line and Parker Kelly or Zakhar Bardakov could take on the fourth-line role. Last season, Colorado used 49 players, tied for the most in franchise history, as injuries heavily impacted roster consistency.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog returns to lead the Avalanche for a full regular season after making his long-awaited comeback during last spring’s playoffs. It was his first NHL action since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2022, and his presence brings renewed leadership and stability to the team. Colorado also strengthened its veteran core by adding Brent Burns, the 40-year-old defenseman still chasing his first championship in what will be his 22nd season. Known for his leadership and charisma, Burns has quickly become a favorite in the locker room.
MacKinnon and Cale Makar remain the team’s elite forces. MacKinnon is coming off his third consecutive 100-point season (32 goals, 84 assists), and Makar added another Norris Trophy to his résumé. Meanwhile, Martin Necas, who joined from Carolina in the January 24 trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes (before Rantanen was later dealt to Dallas), could be poised for a breakout. In 30 games with Colorado, Necas tallied 11 goals and 17 assists, showing strong chemistry within the lineup.