With the offseason now underway, attention has already shifted toward what the Colorado Avalanche roster could look like next season.
As a Stanley Cup contender, Colorado is expected to face another tight salary cap situation. Add in the looming financial considerations tied to a future extension for Cale Makar, and the front office will have some difficult decisions to make this summer.
The positive for the Avalanche is that much of the core from this year’s playoff run remains intact. Still, keeping the roster competitive may require the organization to part ways with a few familiar faces.
Here are three Avalanche players who may not return for the 2026-27 season.
3 Colorado Avalanche players who could be gone next season
Ross Colton
Ross Colton appears to be one of the clearest candidates to become a cap casualty this offseason. While he remains an important piece of the lineup, Colton carries a $4 million cap hit next season.
With next year marking the final season of his current contract, moving Colton could make financial sense for Colorado. The Avalanche’s priority would likely be creating additional cap flexibility rather than maximizing trade return, especially with several depth players needing new contracts, including Joel Kiviranta.
The situation could ultimately force the Avalanche to choose between Colton and Kiviranta. Colorado may lean toward retaining the Finnish winger because he would likely cost significantly less on a new deal.
Even if Colton opens next season with the Avalanche, he could still emerge as a valuable trade option later in the year once injuries begin impacting teams around the league.
Brent Burns
Veteran defenseman Brent Burns proved to be a strong fit in Colorado this past season, but his future may come down entirely to whether he wants to continue playing.
If Burns decides to return for another NHL season, it’s difficult to imagine the Avalanche not having interest in bringing him back. In that scenario, Colorado would likely pursue another short-term, incentive-heavy contract.
However, if Burns chooses retirement or signs elsewhere, Avalanche fans may have already seen the last of him in Denver.
Ultimately, Burns’ future with the organization appears to rest in his own hands. Should he want to continue his career, the Avalanche would probably welcome back the veteran blueliner for another run.
Nick Blankenburg
Nick Blankenburg quietly became a solid addition for Colorado after arriving at the NHL trade deadline. He provided valuable defensive depth, especially during the stretch when Makar missed time late in the season.
The 28-year-old also contributed during the postseason, though he spent much of the Western Conference Final as a healthy scratch.
At the same time, Colorado is expected to prioritize re-signing fellow trade deadline acquisition Brett Kulak. That could leave the front office weighing whether there’s room for both Kulak and Blankenburg moving forward.
There is still a path where Colorado retains both players. If Burns does not return, the cap space created by his departure could potentially be used to keep Blankenburg in the fold.
Otherwise, the Avalanche may instead rely on internal options to fill the seventh defenseman role next season.
