New development raises three troubling questions looming over the Avalanche as next season approaches
Photo credit: Michael Martin / NHLI
Recent news has surfaced, raising three significant and potentially troubling questions that could shape the Colorado Avalanche's trajectory heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
With expectations high, these lingering issues may prove critical to the team's ability to compete for a Stanley Cup.
Avalanche face troubling questions ahead of the next season.
Adam Kimelman from NHL.com writes that after nearly three years on the sidelines due to a knee injury and multiple surgeries, the Avalanche captain finally made his return in Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup series, a series they ultimately lost in seven games to the Dallas Stars.
Is Gabriel Landeskog all the way back?
In his five playoff games, the forward tallied four points (one goal, three assists) while averaging 17:13 of ice time. Beyond the numbers, his return gave the Avalanche a noticeable emotional boost, especially for teammates who had witnessed his long road to recovery.
At 32, he was once regarded as one the NHL's premier power forwards, having scored 30 goals in just 51 games during the 2021-22 season. Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland remains optimistic that Landeskog can eventually regain his dominant form.
"For the first time in many, many years we're going into an offseason with the expectation that Gabe is going to not only play but play consistently and be able to play well." -MacFarland
How big of an impact can Brent Burns have?
The 40-year-old defenseman inked a one-year deal on July 2, returning for what will be his 22nd NHL season. He cited the Avalanche as his top choice in free agency, believing they offer him the best shot at finally capturing the Stanley Cup.
"I think it's a special group here. Whatever they ask of me, that's what I want to do. That's all I'm really looking at right now." -Burns
Burns adds size and experience to the Avalanche, with MacFarland expecting him to boost the penalty kill and bring a strong work ethic.
"You don't have the career, and the length of the career, he's had without taking care of yourself. You don't start taking care of yourself at 31, 32 to play until you're this age. That starts at a young age, that discipline and that level of commitment. I think he's going to fit right in with our group." -MacFarland
Is the goaltending good enough?
The Avalanche quickly reshaped their goalie depth last season, acquiring Scott Wedgewood on Nov. 30 and Mackenzie Blackwood on Dec. 9.
"It worked during the regular season. In the 51 games following Blackwood's debut Dec. 14, Colorado allowed 2.39 goals per game and had a .918 save percentage at 5-on-5. In 31 games before that, the Avalanche allowed 3.52 goals per game with an .890 5-on-5 save percentage" -Kimelman
In his playoff debut, Blackwood posted a .892 save percentage while starting all seven games against Dallas. Now entering his eighth NHL season, this will be his first time starting as a No. 1 goalie for a team with genuine Stanley Cup aspirations.
How he manages that pressure could play a pivotal role in the Avalanche's title hopes.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 8 | 23 ANSWERS New development raises three troubling questions looming over the Avalanche as next season approaches Will Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog be able to get back to his best next season? | ||
| yes | 19 | 82.6 % |
| no | 4 | 17.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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