Last Word On Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are here for the 2025-26 season! As the regular seasons draws near, we will be previewing each teams’ current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming season. We will also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Colorado Avalanche.
2025-26 Colorado Avalanche Puck Drop Preview
2024-25 Season Recap
The Avs once again made a strong push at the trade deadline. Colorado General Manager Chris MacFarland made a number of moves and picked up Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgren and Charlie Coyle at the deadline. However, all those moves came up empty as the Avalanche were dumped out of the first round once again. The Dallas Stars sent Colorado packing after a hard-fought seven game series. That series could have gone either way, but the weight of disappointment is a heavy one.
Colorado used nearly 50 players due to injuries and still managed to get 102 points. This is despite the the early-season struggles by goalies Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen. MacFarland did solidify the crease by picking up Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood in separate moves.
There was also the drama with Mikko Rantanen, who got the last laugh against his former team. Rantanen was shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes, but got Martin Necas and Jack Drury as part of the deal. The Avalanche also got the long-awaited return of captain Gabriel Landeskog. However, it was not enough to prevent another first-round exit.
The 2025 Off-season for Colorado
Colorado was quick to assure their fans that head coach Jared Bednar was being brought back. MacFarland also brought in a few reinforcements. The Avs didn’t splash the cash due to cap constraints, but did try to address some needs. Nelson re-signed to hopefully address the depth centre questions. They also made some depth additions like Victor Olofsson, Danil Gushchin and Gavin Brindley.
The main acquisition was veteran blueliner Brent Burns, who is looking for one last push before a Stanley Cup before calling it a career. Burns may not be the player that he was in his prime. However, Burns can provide some depth on the back-end.
Colorado didn’t land a big fish, but it does have a great lineup. However, the pressure is on to finally get past the first round and be in the mix for a Stanley Cup.
Projected Lineup
Forwards
Artturi Lehkonen-Nathan MacKinnon-Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog-Brock Nelson- Valeri Nichushkin
Victor Olofsson-Jack Drury-Ross Colton
Ivan Ivan-Parker Kelly-Joel Kiviranta
Extras: Zakhar Bardakov; Nikita Prishchepov; Logan O’Connor
Top Six
MacKinnon is arguably one of the best players and helps drive the engine. His explosiveness, playmaking and relentlessness make him a force. Necas also has a devastating shot and can also turn up the pace along on the wing. The Czech forward makes a great running mate to go with MacKinnon. However, let’s not forget about the work that Lehkonen puts in on the other wing. The Finn is also relentless and works hard in the dirty areas. He’s not afraid to go into corners and isn’t afraid to pick up those greasy goals.
Landeskog made his return to the lineup after a number of seasons away due to injury. Some thought the Swedish captain would never return, but he came back for the first round. However, one wonders how he will do in his first regular season in a number of years. Nelson was acquired to fill a void left by Nazem Kadri after his post-Stanley Cup departure. The former New York Islanders stalwart is looking to benefit from the fast-pace game the Avalanche player. Nichushkin can be a valuable part of the lineup, but he has to stay healthy and on the ice. Injuries and suspensions have limited the Russian’s ice time in recent seasons.
The Bottom Six
Colton potted 16 goals in 61 games and can be a good scorer that’s deeper in the lineup. However, there are times that he can be hot a cold. Olofsson could be one of those sneaky-good signings made late in the summer. The Swede did have strong seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before bouncing around the league. Drury has been consistent since the big trade with Carolina and will pivot the third line.
The doubly named Ivan has worked hard from being an undrafted free agent. He recorded 12 points in 36 games with the big club. Kiviranta is a veteran prescence on the other wing for Colorado. Kelly will likely anchor the last line, but we could see the bottom six shuffled around. Bardakov and Prishchepov could see action if injuries occur. O’Connor is on the long-term injured reserve to start the season.
Defensive Pairings
Devon Toews-Cale Makar
Samuel Girard-Josh Manson
Sam Malinski-Brent Burns
Extra: Keaton Middleton
Top Four
Makar is looking for his second consecutive Norris Trophy and third overall. The former University of Massachusetts product is one of the best blueliners in the world thanks to his offensive prowess. He and MacKinnon are that powers the Avalanche. However, let’s not forget how important Toews is. He flies under the radar for having a more-famous defensive partner. However, Manson is a critical part of the club.
Manson’s injury was a big blow to the team that contributed to them not having improved playoff seeding. He’s also struggled to stay out of the box, but he could still find his way into the top four. Girard has been the subject of trade rumours, but deserves credit for stepping up last season.
Bottom Pairing
We don’t know how much Burns has left in the tank. However, he’ll get sheltered minutes on the bottom grouping. Malinski also played well with increased responsibilities. Middleton can step in if needed to provide injury cover.
Goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
The Avalanche have got plenty of wood between the pipes. Blackwood came over in a trade from the San Jose Sharks and cemented his spot as the number one netminder. The move rejuvenated his career after dealing with troubled defensive groups in New Jersey and San Jose.
Wedgewood is a reliable backup that can spell Blackwood if needed. The veteran goalie is one of the best stretches of his career and will be more than capable if he does show some regression back to the norm.
Players to Watch on 2025-26 Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog
Seeing the captain return was a welcome sight. However, let’s see how he performs in an 82-game season. One wonders if he can stay healthy and play with the edge that he’s been known to play with.
Brock Nelson
The pressure is on the Minnesota native to be the answer as the team’s second-line pivot. His numbers dipped a bit from previous campaigns. However, he’s going to be asked to help shoulder some of the scoring load. Depth down the middle has been a problem for the Avs, but Nelson could go a long to fixing that.
Brent Burns
The veteran defender is in his 40s, but he feels that he can still contribute. This is a low-risk signing for MacFarland, but it could be an underrated deal if Burns shows flashes of his old self.
Prediction for 2025-26 Colorado Avalanche
The Central Division is a minefield and getting out of that bracket will be hard. There are still teams like the St Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and the Stars. Teams like the Nashville Predators, Utah Mammoth and Chicago Blackhawks are also looking to improve.
Colorado should make another post-season appearance. However, the pressure is on the 2025-26 Colorado Avalanche to finally get past the first round since winning the Cup in 2022. We could see some trade deadline additions. However, those better pan out or there could be some changes.
Main photo by: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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