The Colorado Avalanche just beat the Calgary Flames 3-1, capturing the 4th Presidents’ trophy in franchise history, and what did head coach Jared Bednar have to say?
“We haven’t done anything yet.”
As Jared Bednar put the finishing touches on a well-executed line about high standards and expectations, I couldn’t help but sit in awe of his answer.
I absolutely understand the statement as a requirement of the head coach of this team, who, likely in the here and now, agrees with him wholeheartedly.
Moreover, I get that no matter how successful this team is in the regular season, if they don’t hoist the Stanley Cup or, at a minimum, appear in the Stanley Cup Final, fans, coaches, and players alike will be disappointed.
A trail of spiraling thought led me to a question:
Why are Avalanche fans so comfortable with these expectations?
I get why Bednar thinks the way he thinks and communicates what he communicates.
It’s his job.
Why do fans who have enjoyed one of the most painless regular seasons ever feel this way also?
On the drive home, I was in borderline existential crisis mode, as I listened to fans of the Buffalo Sabers celebrating their first playoff appearance in 14 years, and it hit me.
Avalanche fans are comfortable with cup-or-bust because it’s all they know.
It’s all been done before, and it shall all be done again.
This 2025-26 season has felt less like watching a season finale for the first time, but more like firing up a reboot of your favorite program ever.
New faces, same characters and roles.
Fresh uniforms and color schemes, but the same heroes and villains (Dallas).
When I looked into the parallels, some goofier than others, the proof was staggering.
Put on your water wings, Avs fans, it’s about to get deep.
It’s Always Been a Marty Party
I want to start with a lighter, goofier synchronicity to ease the tension.
Did you know that every Avalanche team that has ever won a Stanley Cup has rostered a Czech-born player with the first name Martin?
Did you know all of those Martins were born in cities within an 80-mile radius of each other?
Now I get that the participation of these Martins comes in various degrees, and not all of them ended up with their names etched on the cup, but still.
Trippy, as the kids say.
Seven of What Shall Not Be Spoken
Another not-so-obvious commonality between this team and two of the three Stanley Cup champion clubs is that thing we say when goalies don’t let the other team score at all.
In 2000-01, Patrick Roy and David Aebischer combined for 7 regular-season shutouts.
In 2021-22, Darcy Kuemper and Pavel Francouz combined for 7 regular-season shutouts.
Only the 1995-96 team doesn’t follow suit here, and, of course, there’s a chance this year’s clubs will surpass that, but it’s still spooky when you consider the tandem requirement being fulfilled.
In 2025-26, MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood each have 3, with Trent Miner snagging one to boot!
Mount Up
Okay, this one is probably more on everyone’s radar. Still, this year’s Avalanche squad acquired some veteran get-one-for-the-gipper guys—a common theme throughout Colorado’s most storied teams.
A big defenseman with a highly respected career, highlighting longevity, who just hasn’t been able to do that one thing.
Yeah, I am talking about Brent Burns, of course!
A second-line centerman who has been a mainstay on a perennial playoff squad, but also wasn’t able to reach the promised land with their former team.
No, not Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson
Oh, but yes, Nazem Kadri, but this time to fill out the 3rd line and scoring depth.
In addition to the acquisitions, these Avalanche teams also made some deals to bolster the group.
The blockbuster trade that preceded the cup in 1995-96? Well, Patty Roy, of course.
Colorado swapped beloved fan favorite Adam Deadmarsh (among other pieces) for the services of Rob Blake in 2001.
Matt Duchene got dealt mid-game in the 2017 setting up the youth and exuberance of the 2022 champions, who, as mentioned, made a deal for Nazem Kadri to set them over the top as well.
Now we sit in the wake of the Mikko Rantanen for Martin Necas deal, and although the waters have calmed a bit, with the playoffs on the horizon, expect things to get choppy again.
The Obvious Isn’t Always Obvious
I imagine most of our readers are familiar with the more clear-cut comparables, but I wanted to have a little fun before we got all worked up come playoff time.
The Avalanche is built on a strong core of elite talent, with a balance of veteran leadership and solid-to-legendary netminding.
Their commitment to checking, combined with speed and skill in transition, makes them one of the most feared teams in the league.
They are an incredibly well-built and capable squad.
They should do wonderful things in the postseason.
At least that’s how the story goes.
Now let’s not talk about alternate endings…
What similarities do you see in this team and the champions of the past?
