Insider suggests Avalanche stars will benefit from missing the 2026 Olympics
Photo credit: Xavier Laine / Mile High Sticking
An insider has suggested that certain Colorado Avalanche stars could see benefits, both physically and professionally, by choosing to skip the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The Avalanche could send several stars to the upcoming Olympics, potentially putting the team at risk of serious consequences.
Insider suggest some Avalanche stars should skip the upcoming Olympics.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking writes that the Avalanche are expected to send several players to the 2026 Olympics in Milano-Cortina, an event that has fans and broadcasters buzzing about a true best-on-best global competition.
However, there's a strong case for urging Avalanche stars to skip the games and take the extra rest instead.
"In earlier posts, I've discussed how grueling the 2025-26 schedule is shaping up to be. The Avalanche will play a packed schedule right up to the Olympic break, get about three weeks off, and then hit the ground running until the end of the regular season.
Then, hopefully, the Avalanche will embark on a playoff run. All in all, the season itself will be rough enough on players. Add to that the intense nature of the Olympic tourney, and the toll could be devastating on the Avalanche's best players." -Quixtan
Then, hopefully, the Avalanche will embark on a playoff run. All in all, the season itself will be rough enough on players. Add to that the intense nature of the Olympic tourney, and the toll could be devastating on the Avalanche's best players." -Quixtan
Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon are expected to log 20+ minutes per night for Team Canada, with Devon Toews likely as Makar's defensive partner.
Martin Necas will be a top-liner for Czechia, Gabriel Landeskog plays a key role for Sweden, and Artturi Lehkonen is a top-six forward for Finland. Brock Nelson joins Team USA, and Mackenzie Blackwood is a dark horse for Canada.
"The Avalanche could well have six players suit up for their respective home countries at the 2026 Olympics. Other players like Blackwood could creep into the conversation. That means a good chunk of the Avalanche's lineup could take the needless toll of travel, jet lag, and playing in additional games, when they could stay home and recover.
The other major component of this argument pertains to injuries. During last season's 4 Nations Face-Off, three stars sustained significant injuries. Two of them missed the remainder of the regular season for their respective clubs." -Quixtan
The other major component of this argument pertains to injuries. During last season's 4 Nations Face-Off, three stars sustained significant injuries. Two of them missed the remainder of the regular season for their respective clubs." -Quixtan
Matthew Tkachuk suffered a sports hernia during last season's 4 Nations Face-Off, missing the final game and the rest of the regular season for the Florida Panthers. He returned for the playoffs but has now had surgery, potentially sidelining him for two to three months.
"So now, imagine something like this happened to Cale Makar. Imagine the horror of losing Nathan MacKinnon to a sports hernia. What if Gabe Landeskog suffers a serious setback to his knee? The same could be said about Landeskog, Lehkonen, Necas, and Nelson. What nightmares could be unleashed if MacKinnon needs season-ending surgery?" -Quixtan
The Avalanche can't stop their players from joining the Olympics, but a major injury could derail their Stanley Cup hopes, while a bruised ego is easily repaired.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 3 | 10 ANSWERS Insider suggests Avalanche stars will benefit from missing the 2026 Olympics Do you think there's a chance that MacKinnon, Makar or Toews skip out on next year's Winter Olympics for Team Canada? | ||
| yes | 3 | 30 % |
| no | 7 | 70 % |
| List of polls | ||
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