Avalanche on the brink of a historic takeover this season
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
The Colorado Avalanche could be on the verge of not just another strong season, but a historic takeover that could redefine the NHL landscape.
With three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances and back-to-back championships, the Florida Panthers are early favourites for 2026, but the Avalanche might have something to say about that.
The Avalanche could be set to rewrite history.
Jordan Ramsay from Sports Interaction writes that with Florida loaded and chasing history, the road to another Stanley Cup runs straight through Sunrise.
But the Avalanche, deeper, hungrier, and eyeing redemption, might just be the team best positioned to spoil the Panthers' three-peat dreams.
"The most important returning piece is captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has been deemed 100 per cent healthy after missing the last three full regular seasons. Landeskog hadn't played since the Avs won the Cup in 2022 when he returned to record four points (1G, 3A) in five playoff game last year." -Ramsay
Valeri Nichushkin enters this season looking for a clean slate after serving a six-month suspension, while the addition of Brock Nelson finally gives the Avalanche the legitimate second-line center they've been missing.
"Colorado also has a solid goaltending tandem after making trades for Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood in-season last year.
And the two most important pieces are pure game-breakers. Nathan MacKinnon remains one of the most lethal offensive weapons in the NHL, while Cale Makar is the clear-cut best defenceman in the game." -Ramsay
And the two most important pieces are pure game-breakers. Nathan MacKinnon remains one of the most lethal offensive weapons in the NHL, while Cale Makar is the clear-cut best defenceman in the game." -Ramsay
For anyone who remembers the Avalanche's dominant run to the Stanley Cup four years ago, hearing head coach Jared Bednar call this the most complete team since 2022 is enough to strike fear across the NHL.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 15 ANSWERS Avalanche on the brink of a historic takeover this season Are the Avalanche a better team on paper than the Panthers? | ||
| yes | 11 | 73.3 % |
| no | 4 | 26.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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