CENTENNIAL — Sorry, Blink-182, but this training camp was all Fall Out Boy — the Avalanche lit ’em up, up, up.
After observing most of Colorado’s optional skates and now its first mandatory session, one conclusion has emerged among Avalanche observers: this roster may be the deepest the franchise has fielded since the 2022 Stanley Cup run.
The season is still in its infancy, yet the early indicators are promising. Head coach Jared Bednar echoed that sentiment during media day, and the opening of training camp only reinforced it. The camp was divided into two groups, and here’s who stood out from Group 1.
Keaton Middleton
Ordinarily, the focus might turn first to the players who naturally resonate with the fan base, but the so-called dark horses deserve equal attention. Take Middleton, for example. He has been the target of frequent and often unfair criticism from segments of the Avalanche faithful. The reality, however, is that few have witnessed the extent of his offseason commitment. Nearly every day he was on the ice, frequently alongside newly acquired defenseman Brent Burns, a former Norris Trophy winner with whom he seemed to establish an immediate rapport.
That work was evident during camp. In one drill, Middleton stripped the puck from Marty Nečas on a 2-on-1 —no small feat against a player widely expected to command a lucrative contract by season’s end, whether in Colorado or elsewhere. For a skater some fans have dismissed with less-than-generous language, the moment served as a reminder of how effort translates into results. Should Middleton find himself paired with Burns on opening night, it would not be a surprise.
Middleton was also unafraid of using his body. Victor Olofsson, a new Av coming over from the Vegas Golden Knights, found out when he carried the puck through the neutral zone. However, Middleton cut off his angle of attack and left him no room for error and pushed him up against the boards to disrupt the play.
Ross Colton
Ross Colton warrants mention in any camp recap for the way he led by example during this session. With captain Gabe Landeskog absent from Group 1, someone needed to assume the mantle of leadership, and Colton did so seamlessly in his own style. He showcased his finishing touch early, burying a 3-on-2 drill after Jack Drury threaded a perfect pass into the slot, snapping the puck past an outstretched Scott Wedgewood.
Later, Colton demonstrated a different facet of leadership — accountability. He made it clear to younger prospects such as Sean Behrens that nothing in the NHL comes easily. On one sequence, Behrens attempted to play a puck along the boards, only to be met with a firm check from Colton. Afterward, Colton explained that he wanted to send a message: in this league, respect is not given, it’s earned.. With the perspective of a Stanley Cup champion from his days in Tampa Bay, Colton delivered that lesson effectively, embodying the standard he expects others to follow.
Nathan MacKinnon/Marty Necas
Nathan MacKinnon and Nečas looked every bit the part of a dynamic unit during camp. In individual drills, both found the back of the net on their opening attempts, setting an immediate tone. MacKinnon, true to form, attacked the ice with trademark speed, weaving through defenders with a flurry of dazzling puck-handling sequences. He not only generated consistent chances for teammates but also manufactured opportunities for himself — and more often than not, he finished them.
Nečas, meanwhile, carried himself like a player undistracted by contract negotiations, wholly intent on playing hockey. His body language conveyed a comfort level with the group, as though he were already invested in Colorado’s culture. A prior connection with Brent Burns from their Carolina days smoothed the transition, and early signs of chemistry with Devon Toews further underscored his fit. It was the kind of performance that suggested both confidence and commitment — precisely what Avalanche fans hoped to see.
Sean Behrens
It would be a crime not to include Sean Behrens in this camp recap. To return from a season-ending surgery and immediately make such a strong impression is, in itself, remarkable. He looked sharp, focused, and defensively sound, highlighted by a sequence in which he cleanly stripped the puck from Valeri Nichushkin — a player determined to enter the season healthy and primed for a career year. Behrens’ performance was less about isolated moments and more about what it represented: the Avalanche’s organizational depth. And in the modern NHL, depth is the hallmark of a championship contender.
Moving on to highlight the standouts from Group 2. Though this group may have been less talented as a whole they brought a lot more energy and had a more productive session.
Ivan Ivan
Ivan Ivan played like a guy who wants a permanent spot in the NHL. He was both aggressive and intelligent as he carried the puck up the ice and tricked a diving Hank Kempf before ripping a wrister top shelf that sailed by Trent Miner, which may have been the nicest goal of the day. It exemplified that he’s improved on a variety of things this offseason. They include: puck control, offensive awareness, timing, and speed. He showed an improved ability to fire shots off at a faster rate while also not compromising his shot quality.
Jason Polin
Jason Polin continues to showcase the instincts of a natural scorer. Whether from the left circle, the right circle, in tight at the crease, or from sharp angles, he has a knack for placing himself in the right position. Among the Avalanche’s prospects, he remains one of the more underrated talents, a label he challenged once again on Friday. Reading a defensive lapse in real time, Polin accelerated into open ice, collected a pass, and pulled away cleanly on a breakaway. Mathis Langevin never stood a chance.
Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson approached camp with unmistakable intensity. His return sparked debate given the price tag attached to his deal, but one thing is certain: the Avalanche no longer have a question mark at second-line center. Nelson has been a regular presence at optional skates throughout the offseason — not quite to the extent of Burns or Middleton, but consistently enough to suggest a deliberate commitment to sharpening his game.
That preparation was evident on Friday. Channeling the same relentlessness Colton displayed during the first group, Nelson battled for every puck and made his physical presence felt against anyone in his path. For younger players observing, it was a vivid lesson in what it takes to compete at the NHL level. Hockey remains one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, and breaking into it requires matching — if not exceeding — the hunger of those across the ice. Nelson embodied that standard.
Buckle up, Avalanche fans. This is only the beginning. Day two of training camp unfolds Saturday at Family Sports Center, with Group 2 scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by Group 1 from noon until 2 p.m.
