This upcoming season is make-or-break for Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland
Photo credit: Bruce Bennett / Mile High Sticking
Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has plenty to prove in 2025-26 and beyond as he looks to solidify his long-term vision for the team.
All eyes will be on MacFarland heading into this season, and the pressure starts even before the puck drops next season. He's got plenty on his plate, and here are three key moves he needs to make to validate his vision.
The 2025-26 season is make-or-break for Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland.
Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that MacFarland needs to prioritize managing the salary cap.
After losing Mikko Rantanen midway through the season, MacFarland went all-in this past season, bringing in Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, Charlie Coyle, Ryan Lindgren, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Scott Wedgewood.
MacFarland's decision to part ways with top prospect Calum Ritchie for Nelson stings a bit more considering that Nelson is much older and has less years left in his NHL career.
"There's never any concern about teams getting under the salary cap when the season begins. The concern is about how they go about it. We'll have to wait and see how all of that unfolds." -Tiedtke
MacFarland also needs to prioritize the Avalanche's prospect pool, which is very thin at the moment.
"We've got to see some more of his draft selections make an impact with the Eagles and Avalanche in upcoming years. The team only has two draft picks in this year's draft, which hurts, but they've got plenty in the future." -Tiedtke
Lastly, MacFarland needs to prioritize finding a legitimate second-line center for next season.
While Coyle is currently slotted in as the second-line center on PuckPedia, I tend to agree with Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High; give that role to Ross Colton. He's already proven he can handle top-six responsibilities, and elevating him could inject some much-needed energy and balance into the forward group.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland has to prove his vision in 2025-26
Mile High Sticking
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland has to prove his vision in 2025-26
| POLL | ||
JUIN 5 | 41 ANSWERS This upcoming season is make-or-break for Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland If the Avalanche underachieve next season, do you think it'll be MacFarland's last season as GM in Colorado? | ||
| yes | 35 | 85.4 % |
| no | 6 | 14.6 % |
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