As it turns out, the NHL’s reigning Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner can also drop the gloves. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon squared up with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke towards the end of their 2026-27 regular-season opener Wednesday night in Denver.
Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen had two goals each, Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves and the Colorado Avalanche used a four-goal second period to beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 in Denver on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the lucky ones — getting to open their regular season at home against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena. This game will also mark the Avalanche's 31st season of hockey in Colorado.
University of Michigan alum and undrafted talent T.J. Hughes is officially in the Colorado Avalanche projected lineup for their 2026-27 regular-season opener.
The Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena in their season opener Wednesday night—a rematch of last spring’s Western Conference first-round sweep.
The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.
The Colorado Avalanche have locked down their bench boss for the foreseeable future. Prior to the team’s season opener on Tuesday, the Avalanche announced that they have signed head coach Jared Bednar to a four-year contract extension, keeping him on the books through the 2030-31 season.
The Colorado Avalanche are preparing to open the regular season on Wednesday night as they host the Los Angeles Kings. The team has had plenty of injury concerns heading into the season.
Colorado Avalanche 10th-year head coach Jared Bednar has won a lot in the Mile High City, but critics argue he hasn't won enough. The organization appears to disagree.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension through the 2030-31 season. The team announced the deal Wednesday, hours before Bednar was set to begin his 11th season in Denver against the visiting Los Angeles Kings.
Barring unforeseen changes, the Colorado Avalanche will have the same head coach through the end of the decade. The Avalanche announced they have signed Jared Bednar to a four-year extension, taking him through the 2030-31 NHL season.
People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.
One of the top bench bosses in the NHL is staying a Mile High for a few more seasons. On Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche announced that the team has signed head coach Jared Bednar to a four-year contract extension.
Andrew Cogliano's playing career with the Colorado Avalanche lasted only three seasons. His career with the organization may last considerably longer. Just over two years after playing his final NHL game, Cogliano is moving deeper into the front office.
A familiar name is working his way up the ranks of the Colorado Avalanche organization. On Tuesday, the Avalanche announced that Andrew Cogliano has been promoted to assistant general manager.
Two seasons into his front office career, Andrew Cogliano is already climbing the Colorado Avalanche’s ladder. He has been promoted to assistant general manager by the Avalanche, who named Joe Sakic general manager once again over the summer.
After working hard all summer, T.J. Hughes has done it for the Colorado Avalanche — he has made the team and will start the season with the Avs. Not only will the Avalanche have the NHL rookie on their Opening Night roster, but head coach Jared Bednar also confirmed Hughes will start the year on the top power-play unit.
The Colorado Avalanche are entering the final days of the preseason with Gavin Brindley appearing to have the inside track on one of the final spots in the lineup.
When it comes to speed, skill and star power, the Colorado Avalanche aren't lacking in that department. Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Cale Makar ensure that.
Paul Bissonnette has raised doubts about the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup chances entering the 2026-27 NHL season. Speaking on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Bissonnette questioned whether Colorado has enough depth to match last season’s dominant regular-season performance.
Corey Masisak of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche made a decision this offseason to move off 31-year-old Valeri Nichushkin this offseason. He’s been a valuable member of their organization, but he hasn’t always been able to stay in the lineup – injuries and off-ice issues.
The Colorado Avalanche remain firmly within their contention window. That’s what happens when you have some of the best players in the league. That said, there are cracks beginning to show, some of them we saw in their shocking sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Colorado Avalanche will not conduct an external search for a general manager after Chris MacFarland left for the Nashville Predators earlier this summer.
Part of being a perennial contender means being shrewd and finding good value when re-signing your own players or reaching out to free agents. Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic is finding that out now thanks to some huge deals (like Cale Makar’s record-setting deal).
There might not have been a more impactful contract signed in the NHL this offseason than the five-year, $90 million offer sheet Leo Carlsson signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in restricted free agency.
There was never a question as to whether or not the Colorado Avalanche would sign defenseman Cale Makar to a long-term contract extension. The question was always a matter of when it would get done, how many years it would be worth, and how much money it would involve.