Colorado Avalanche: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Nathan MacKinnon Shows Out Big for Avalanche in Season Opener

The bar has been raised; the Colorado Avalanche have raised the stakes and set the expectation for the NHL's 2026-27 season by demolishing the Los Angeles Kings in their season opener.

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Avalanche get early returns from power play

The Colorado Avalanche kicked off their 2026-27 regular season with an 8-4 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, the first of which came on the power play early in the second period.

Colorado Avalanche News / Colorado Avalanche On SI / October 1

Avalanche's Explosive Opening Win Came With One Big Warning Sign

The Colorado Avalanche and their fans couldn’t have ask for much more offensively in their first game of the 2026-27 season. Eight goals, four power-play goals and thirteen different players with at least one point.

Nathan MacKinnon News / Athlon Sports / October 1

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon Reveals What Sparked Fight Against LA Kings Player

Colorado Avalanche alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon explained his fight with the Los Angeles Kings’ Brandt Clarke after the Avs opened their season with an 8-4 victory over their conference rivals.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Colorado Avalanche News / NHL on ClutchPoints / October 1

Avalanche’s Cale Makar reveals why it’s tough to win fight against Nathan MacKinnon

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon opened the 2026-27 season with two goals and eight shots on net, but his fight with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke became one of the biggest moments of Wednesday night’s 8-4 win at Ball Arena.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

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.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / October 1

Nathan MacKinnon fights Brandt Clarke in season opener

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.

NHL News / Field Level Media / October 1

Avs' firepower on full display in 8-4 victory over Kings

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.

Colorado Avalanche News / Colorado Avalanche On SI / September 30

What to Know Before Avalanche Drop the Puck on 2026-27 Season

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.

T.J. Hughes News / Colorado Avalanche On SI / September 30

T.J. Hughes Ready to Show Off Hard Work in Avalanche Season Opener

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.

NHL News / Total Apex Sports / September 30

Kings vs. Avalanche preview: Playoff rematch opens new season

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.

Jared Bednar News / Daily Faceoff / September 30

Why the Avalanche made the right call to extend Jared Bednar

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.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

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.

NHL News / NHL on ClutchPoints / September 30

The 2 Avalanche forwards who will miss season opener vs. Kings

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 News / Yardbarker / September 30

Avalanche's latest move signals confidence in Jared Bednar, but will HC deliver?

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.

Avalanche promote Andrew Cogliano to assistant GM

The 'Active NHL goal leaders' quiz

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The '2009 NFL Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

The 'Oldest 2-passing-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'Most 200-K MLB seasons' quiz

The '100-receiving-yard playoff debuts' quiz

Jared Bednar News / Field Level Media / September 30

Avs coach Jared Bednar agrees to 4-year extension

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.

Jared Bednar News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 30

Avalanche Sign Jared Bednar To Four-Year Extension

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.

Jared Bednar News / Daily Faceoff / September 30

Avalanche sign coach Jared Bednar to four-year extension

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 News / Daily Faceoff / September 29

Avalanche promote Andrew Cogliano to assistant GM

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.

Andrew Cogliano News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 29

Avalanche Promote Andrew Cogliano To Assistant GM

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.

Colorado Avalanche News / Colorado Avalanche On SI / September 29

Avalanche Enter Opening Night With Little Room for Error

The Avalanche know what it has at the top of its lineup. What remains to be determined is whether the Avalanche have enough behind their stars. They are starting the season without much excess manpower, creating little margin for injuries, fatigue or underperformance.

Colorado Avalanche News / Athlon Sports / September 23

Paul Bissonnette Doubts Avalanche Can Win Stanley Cup

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.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / September 22

The Colorado Avalanche Accruing Cap Space, and the St. Louis Blues have Forward Depth Available

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.

Colorado Avalanche News / The Hockey Writers / September 22

Avalanche Facing Precarious Situation in Net

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.

Joe Sakic News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 14

Joe Sakic Set To Return As Avalanche Full-Time GM

The Colorado Avalanche will not conduct an external search for a general manager after Chris MacFarland left for the Nashville Predators earlier this summer.

Colorado Avalanche News / The Hockey Writers / September 14

Colorado Avalanche’s 5 Worst Contracts of the Salary Cap Era

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).

NHL News / Yardbarker / September 9

Ducks' Leo Carlsson gives wild comment about team waiving Chris Kreider

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.

Ducks place Chris Kreider on waivers to terminate contract

Chris Kreider termination gives Ducks more flexibility amid Cutter Gauthier negotiations

Evan Bouchard’s contract is aging well amid the NHL’s salary cap boom

Veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov returns to NHL on two-way contract

It may be time to end the speculation of Sidney Crosby playing elsewhere

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker / August 28

Cale Makar signs record-setting extension with Avalanche

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.

Six potential trade destinations for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck

Will Auston Matthews find a second gear later in his career?

Four under-the-radar PTO candidates for NHL teams to consider

Ranking the Western Conference's biggest winners this summer

Ranking the Eastern Conference's biggest winners this summer