It was a very quiet offseason in preparation for the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season with the only notable additions in defenseman Brent Burns and depth forward Victor Olofsson. But here we are gathered at the precipice of training ready to embark on a new season and ready to share our thoughts on where the Colorado Avalanche currently stand.
Did the Avalanche do enough this offseason and are they done?
Jackie: I truly can’t believe Chris MacFarland is content to go into the season with this roster but we know he isn’t shy about making in-season additions. I hate
this approach of a temporary resolution which is the antithesis of building camaraderie and cohesion. The Avalanche needed to add more talent and while Burns and Olofsson are fine low-risk depth additions they aren’t moving the needle. I still hesitate to evaluate where the team currently stands even as training camp begins this week because as there has to be something else coming….right?
Adrian: I think they did enough for now. I have felt that they need to be buttoned up a bit more before opening night, but with Olofsson and Kiviranta squared away, I think they can get by with elevating some youth into the bottom six. Feels like they are gonna ride with Jacob Middleton as the seventh defenseman with Erik Johnson yet to ink a deal. I think there is definitely work to be done before the trade deadline next March, but this will do for now.
Jess: I’m with Adrian. While I absolutely think that there’s still some work to be done, I think they’re fine for now. They still have plenty of time to sign whoever else they might be looking at, and I understand if they’re not in a massive rush to sign anyone else right now. We’ve still got about a month before the season officially starts, and like Jackie touched on earlier, we know this team isn’t shy about making in-season additions or subtractions.
Ryan: I’m okay with what they did. I think they overpaid for Brock Nelson, but the fact that we don’t have to write 2C stories for a while, I’m quite content with that. We’ve been on the wrong end of the trade market for a few years now, so it was a good time to just stick with the guys that we have from the most part and to build on the team chemistry. People forget how the 2022 Stanley Cup team was founded, and it wasn’t by obtaining rentals from all over the league.
What are your feelings on the Martin Nečas contract situation as it currently stands?
Jackie: I might be the most concerned person in the Avs-verse. We saw where waiting on Mikko Rantanen got Colorado and there’s even less reason for the Avalanche or Nečas to find common ground once new contract comparables reset the inflating market. All it takes is a little urgency to come to an agreement at any time, so anything is possible, but it’s not adding up to me. Chris MacFarland will be losing contract leverage and return value every single day that goes by.
Adrian: I’m relatively concerned and admittedly getting more concerned as the days go by. That said, so far the free agent market in 2026-27 is shaping up to be an all-timer, so if the worst does happen, at least the Avs will have a stack of cash and some worthwhile targets. I, for one, would like to see an extension before the new year. It might be a good Christmas present for Necas and Avs fans alike.
Jess: I’m a bit concerned because I don’t see what’s so hard about this and why the front office wouldn’t want to get something done. Yes, Necas is probably going to be on the expensive side to sign, but they aren’t exactly in a position to get stingy when trying to sign one of their best top-6 players. I think it’s fair to say that the Avs need Necas more than Necas needs the Avs right now, as there’d be plenty of suitors willing to either trade for Necas or sign him next July in free agency if we get to either of those points, and Colorado doesn’t have many options available to easily replace what he brings to the team. That’s something that’ll probably be tough for the front office to work through, but if they’re serious about keeping him, I don’t see why they wouldn’t get something done.
Ryan: I’m naturally concerned when there’s business that has to be done. As Jess noted, the Avs need Necas more than he needs the Avs, but what I’m noticing from Necas at the skates pales in comparison to how Matt Duchene handled his controversial exit. Necas wants to play hockey and if the Avs do great this year, I don’t see why he wouldn’t want to come back. We’ll see how it goes.
Which camp storyline are you most excited to follow?
Adrian: I am always excited to see if one of the usual AHLers is ready to make the jump. We’ve seen Prischipov and Felhaber, but I wonder what Cooper Gay can bring to the table. It seems like all of these guys could get a look with LOC on the mend and the bottom six still relatively up for grabs. Opportunity can create growth, and the Avs are desperate for an influx of young, reliable talent.
Jess: I’m with Adrian, I’m excited to see which players can make a jump to the NHL level, or at the very least make a case to be given NHL games during the season when needed. I feel like there’s always a handful of young players who always surprise in training camp, and I’m excited to see which players surprise us this year. I’m also excited to see Brock Nelson get more time to build more chemistry with the team and the players he’ll have on his line, I really think he can play really well in this system, and having more time to find his groove should be incredibly beneficial to him.
Jackie: A lot of focus will be on the bottom six forwards but I’m more curious to see how the defense is going to shake out. Are they really going to dress four right handed defenseman in a game that counts and if so, who will have to play on the left side? Are there any coming additions or trades to balance the defense out with another left hander? Will Cale Makar and Devon Toews still be a pair or are they split up more to help the defense as a whole? Also, what’s the word on Samuel Girard’s absence from informal skates?
Who is your dark horse depth player to play on opening night?
Adrian: My darkhorse opening night player is Keaton Middleton? Does that count? I feel like the Avalanche have already chosen to move on from Erik Johnson, and that means regular hockey for Middleton. It doesn’t exactly feel like a darkhorse seeing as he’s played plenty with the Avs, but I think we will be suprised just ho
Jess: I think mine is Keaton Middleton too, I think he can certainly find ways to be effective on this team and I think he’ll do fine in a depth role once again.
Jackie: Unfortunately, if Middleton plays on opening night the Avalanche have some problems. I expect he will be on the roster, though. Anyhow, I think Adrian might be on to something mentioning Cooper Gay as an older college free agent with size who might have a bit of skill. Those players always get opportunity even if opening night seems a little early.
But someone nobody is talking about is Gavin Brindley. An undersized 20-year-old winger is an unlikely candidate for this Avalanche team but he was a top prospect just a year ago and the organization just traded for him and have nothing on the NHL roster to show from the Bowen Byram trade tree so do they have more incentive to put him on the roster than what’s perceived?
Ryan: I feel bad for Keaton Middleton because he’s such a hard worker. He’s been at the rink nearly every day, but unfortunately, I don’t think he’s consistent enough to merit a starting spot on opening night. Gavin Brindley would be my number one pick, but if it’s not him, Nikita Prishchepov has been just as impressive. Those two guys have really been doing some great work this offseason. He’s a solid player with tremendous speed and a fearless attitude. I like it.
