Avalanche make a pair of surprising moves that leave fans guessing ahead season opener
Photo credit: David Gonzales / Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche have made a pair of surprising moves that have left fans guessing and analyzing every possibility, just days ahead of their season opener against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the Avalanche placed defensemen Jack Ahcan and Keaton Middleton on waivers. If they go unclaimed, both players could be assigned to the AHL on Monday, ahead of the 3 p.m. MT deadline to finalize the roster.
Avalanche surprise fans by waiving Jack Ahcan and Keaton Middleton.
Aarif Deen from Colorado Hockey Now writes that Ahcan's placement on waivers isn't particularly surprising.
He remained with the team longer than expected due to Samuel Girard's injury, which sidelined him until the final preseason game.
If the Avalanche need additional defensive depth during the season, Ahcan is likely to be among the first call-ups.
"Middleton presents a slightly different scenario. I wondered yesterday in my roster projections if the Avs would start the season with Mackenzie Blackwood on IR to have space for all of Ilya Solovyov, Gavin Brindley, and Keaton Middleton to make the team. But Middleton being waived gives them the flexibility to send him down while carrying three goalies to start the year." -Deen
If Middleton is sent down Monday, it suggests the Avalanche believe goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is healthy enough to play early in the season, as placing him on IR would sideline him for at least the first three games.
"If Middleton is not sent down right away, just clearing waivers gives the team flexibility to send him down over the next month without him having to go back through waivers.
The Avs claimed Solovyov from the Calgary Flames earlier this week and, like John Ludvig last year, are likely going to give him a shot to be one of the top seven defensemen throughout the season." -Deen
The Avs claimed Solovyov from the Calgary Flames earlier this week and, like John Ludvig last year, are likely going to give him a shot to be one of the top seven defensemen throughout the season." -Deen
The Avalanche open the 2025-26 season on the road Tuesday against the Kings, with one final practice scheduled Monday before the team heads to Los Angeles.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 5 | 19 ANSWERS Avalanche make a pair of surprising moves that leave fans guessing ahead season opener Are you surprised that the Avalanche placed veteran defenseman Keaton Middleton on waivers? | ||
| yes | 7 | 36.8 % |
| no | 12 | 63.2 % |
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