The Colorado Avalanche, a team etched into recent memory as Stanley Cup champions in 2022, now face a familiar, yet increasingly pressing, question: can their dazzling constellation of stars truly carry them back to the pinnacle of hockey? As the 2025-26 NHL season looms, a palpable sense of both anticipation and apprehension surrounds the Denver-based squad. Their core, undeniably elite, has delivered regular-season brilliance, yet the playoffs have proven a harsher, more unforgiving judge.
The Unbearable Weight of Genius: MacKinnon and Makar
At the heart of Colorado`s aspirations are two generational talents: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. MacKinnon, fresh off another MVP-caliber season, remains a whirlwind of speed, skill, and sheer competitive drive, seemingly capable of bending games to his will single-handedly. Cale Makar, his defensive counterpart, has not only solidified his status as the league`s premier defenseman but continues to redefine the position with his offensive prowess and calm under pressure.
Their individual brilliance is unquestionable, a marvel to behold. However, this very brilliance has, at times, become a double-edged sword. In recent playoff campaigns, particularly the early exit against the Dallas Stars, the reliance on these two titans became glaringly apparent. When the support system faltered, even the best could not overcome the collective might of a deeper, more resilient opponent. The question isn`t if MacKinnon and Makar are good enough – it`s whether everyone else is.
Strategic Shifts: The Cap`s Cruel Hand and a Veteran Bet
The unforgiving realities of the salary cap, a persistent antagonist for successful teams, have forced the Avalanche into some difficult choices. The departure of Mikko Rantanen, a legitimate star in his own right, served as a stark reminder that even the most formidable cores can`t remain intact indefinitely. While painful, this move was framed as a necessity to create flexibility and address critical depth deficiencies.
In response, the Avalanche made a notable, if somewhat unconventional, veteran acquisition: Brent Burns. The 40-year-old defenseman, a Norris Trophy winner in a previous life, brings a wealth of experience, size, and an offensive flair from the blue line. He`s no longer the ironman who logged herculean minutes, but his continued ability to play all 82 games and his consistent production are testament to his enduring quality. Expected to anchor the second defensive pairing and bolster the power play, Burns`s arrival aims to spread out defensive responsibilities, theoretically easing the burden on Makar and Devon Toews. It`s a calculated gamble that an aging, albeit elite, veteran can still provide crucial leadership and a steady hand in playoff pressure cookers.
The Supporting Cast: Seeking Rediscovery and New Foundations
Beyond the headline-grabbing moves, Colorado`s fate will heavily depend on the resurgence of established role players and the emergence of new talent. Gabriel Landeskog`s return is a storyline infused with emotional resonance, his leadership and two-way play sorely missed. But he alone cannot fill all the gaps. Players like Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen, who shone brightly during the 2022 Cup run, will need to rediscover that clutch scoring touch and defensive reliability. Their quiet performance in the recent playoffs was a significant factor in the team`s struggles.
On the depth chart, Jack Drury, acquired in the Rantanen trade, is slated for an increased role as the third-line center. His reliable two-way game and versatility are valuable assets, but he’ll need to augment his defensive responsibilities with more offensive output. A goal and two points in a playoff series, while solid for a depth player, won`t be enough if the top lines are neutralized. Meanwhile, the prospect pipeline, thinned by past championship pushes, sees Gavin Brindley emerge as a potential future contributor. The 20-year-old forward brings speed and energy, aligning perfectly with the Avalanche`s up-tempo system. While he might start in the AHL, he`s the first name on the call-up list should injuries inevitably strike.
The Goaltending Conundrum: A Sustainable Solution?
Perhaps no position has been more scrutinized for the Avalanche than goaltending. The Alexandar Georgiev experiment, after a promising start, ended in disappointment. Enter Mackenzie Blackwood, who provided a much-needed stabilize during the previous season, posting a commendable 22-12-3 record with a 2.33 GAA and an impressive .913 save percentage. This was a marked improvement, a breath of fresh air for a team often let down by its last line of defense.
However, Blackwood`s career has been a rollercoaster of brilliant flashes and periods of inconsistency. Prior to joining Colorado, he had three seasons with sub-.900 save percentages and GAA figures north of 3.00. The looming question, therefore, isn`t about his capability at his best, but his ability to sustain that high level of play. In a Western Conference teeming with Vezina-caliber goaltenders, anything less than consistent, above-average netminding for Colorado will undoubtedly lead to problematic outcomes. Blackwood needs to be not just a solution, but the consistent solution.
Navigating the Western Gauntlet: Depth vs. Dynasty
When you boast players like MacKinnon and Makar, the belief that you can compete with any team in the league is well-founded. But the Western Conference, particularly the Central Division, is a shark tank. The Dallas Stars, who dispatched the Avalanche in seven games, highlighted the critical need for balanced scoring. MacKinnon`s seven goals and eleven points in that series were phenomenal, yet only Nichushkin and Lehkonen managed more than two goals among the other forwards. The ironic twist of Rantanen scoring against them in a hypothetical Game 7 scenario underscores the painful consequences of trade-offs.
The Avalanche have the star power; that much is clear. Their ability to make a deep playoff run, and indeed to challenge for another Stanley Cup, hinges on the collective performance of their supporting cast, the sustainable consistency of their goaltending, and the overall improvement of their special teams. It`s a high-wire act where the margin for error is razor-thin, and individual brilliance, while spectacular, may no longer be enough to compensate for structural vulnerabilities. The window for this core is still open, but the pressure to deliver is intensifying with each passing season.
