Avalanche Are Still the Class of the Western Conference

Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov, acquired in the Colton trade, bring physicality, hustle, and defensive responsibility to the fourth line. Logan O’Connor will be back for a full season as one of the league’s premier fourth liners.

Just as importantly, the Avalanche have flexibility. Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy are both capable of playing third-line center, while Kadri can move up to the top six and even add to the power play. No matter how you slice it, the Avalanche have solid depth throughout their lineup and may have no choice but to send the promising Gavin Brindley back to the minors.

Elite Defense and Goaltending

Colorado’s defensive core is maybe a little thin in terms of depth but man for man, they can compete with anyone in the league. All-world defenseman Cale Makar would make any group dangerous, but it simply starts with him.

Devon Toews continues to be one of the most underrated two-way defensemen in the game. Brett Kulak, re-signed to a five-year deal, is a solid, no-frills veteran who fit right in after being acquired last season. Sam Malinski looks ready to fill out the top four as yet another solid, smart, smooth skating defenseman.

Josh Manson and Brent Burns are back to provide a veteran presence to the bottom pairing. Both are capable of playing top-four minutes when pressed into action, and will make the Avalanche tough to play against regardless of who is on the ice.

In net, the Avalanche bring back arguably the best tandem in the league in Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood had the best season of his career in 2025-26, and many felt that he should have been at least nominated for the Vezina Trophy. Blackwood, meanwhile, has proven himself a more than capable starter and is fine sharing the load.

The Avalanche are still linked to all-world goalie Connor Hellebuyck, which would only make them more formidable, but that feels like a pipe dream at the moment.

The Best Star Power in the NHL

Other teams have star power, but no one has the kind of high-end star power that the Avalanche have. Nathan MacKinnon remains one of the most dangerous and explosive players in the NHL, having finished third in league scoring with 127 points the season after winning the 2024 Hart Trophy as league MVP.

Makar is the undisputed best defenseman in the NHL, a player who has topped 90 points before and seems like he still has room to grow. Martin Necas, who came over in the Mikko Rantanen trade, proved himself to be elite in his own right with his first 100-point season.

It isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the Avalanche to finish with three top 10 scorers – they finished with three of the top 16 in 2023-24. The Avalanche can bury the opposition so often because of the three-headed monster they can unleash at any given moment.

Cup or Bust (Again)

In reality, nothing has changed for the Avalanche other than the motivation factor. After being anointed champions for much of the 2025-26 season, falling short should give the Avalanche extra incentive to get back to the top of the mountain.

They have the talent, the depth, the defense, and the goaltending to once again make a run. With the superstars of this team in their prime, the Avalanche aren’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.