Avalanche News

WESTERN CENTRAL

Nicolas Roy • C • Avalanche

Nicolas Roy Misses Second Straight Game

Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy (lower body) will remain sidelined for a second straight game on Friday against Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old sustained a lower-body injury earlier this week. He remains day-to-day, but Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters Friday morning that Roy's status could turn to week-to-week. He said the same about left wing Zachary L'Heureux (upper body), who will miss a third consecutive game. While injuries can be very disruptive for teams, Roy's and L'Heureux's absences don't have fantasy consequences, as both players saw limited ice time before they were hurt.

2 days ago

Nazem Kadri • C • Avalanche

Nazem Kadri Delivers Two Assists in Losing Effort

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri recorded an assist on both of the team's goals in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Dallas. He set up Gabriel Landeskog and Brock Nelson. With this effort, Kadri boosted his total to five assists this season. While he hasn't yet scored in seven outings, the veteran forward has played a big role on offense. Nathan MacKinnon is the only Avalanche player with more assists this season. Kadri continues his search for his first goal of the year Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

3 days ago

Nicolas Roy • C • Avalanche

Nicolas Roy Dealing With Lower-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy was a late scratch on Wednesday against Dallas due to a lower-body injury, Ryan O'Hara of The Hockey News reports. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar labeled him day-to-day. Roy has started the season well on the fourth line, recording two goals and two assists in six games. In Roy's absence, Gavin Brindley made his season debut. He was largely anonymous, logging just 6:46 of ice time. Colorado will finish this week's slate against Pittsburgh on Friday. Roy could be back for that one, as his injury hasn't been deemed serious.

3 days ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Expected to Play Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (personal) will play in Wednesday's tilt against the Dallas Stars, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Makar just became a father and didn't play against the Stars on Tuesday. He should have his usual workload as Colorado's No. 1 defenseman in Wednesday's rematch. In five outings this season, Makar has amassed seven points (three goals, four assists) while averaging 21:30 of ice time. With Colorado back at full strength on defense, Devon Toews and Sam Malinski will see fewer minutes.

4 days ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar to Miss Tuesday's Game

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (personal) will miss Tuesday's tilt against the Dallas Stars. He has left the team to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Makar has kicked off the season in top form, amassing seven points (three goals, four assists) in five games. He's tied for the third-most points among defensemen. Sam Malinski will skate on the first defensive pairing against Dallas, while Devon Toews will also carry a heavier workload.

5 days ago

Zachary L'Heureux • LW • Avalanche

Zachary L'Heureux Available for Season Debut

Colorado Avalanche left wing Zachary L'Heureux (lower body) is expected to make his first appearance of the season on Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. L'Heureux sat out the first two games of the season due to a lower-body injury. On Wednesday night, he will join Nicholas Roy and Parker Kelly on the fourth line. L'Heureux is unlikely to play a major role in the contest. In 2025-26, he registered five points (four goals, one assist), 32 SOG, and 64 hits in 25 games with the Nashville Predators.

Oct 7

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Makes History With Multi-Point Performance

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar kicked off the 2026-27 campaign with two assists in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He registered one even-strength and one power-play helper. As a result, the two-time Norris Trophy winner became the first defenseman in NHL history to record multiple points in five straight season openers. Makar is hugely talented offensively and always makes a big impact for the Avalanche. He has averaged at least a point per game for six consecutive seasons and will contend for the title of the league's highest-scoring defenseman again in 2026-27.

Oct 1

Logan O'Connor • RW • Avalanche

Logan O'Connor Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (lower body) is day-to-day, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. He sustained a lower-body injury in training camp, leaving O'Connor questionable for opening night. The Avalanche begin the action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. O'Connor has been a regular 20-point scorer for Colorado, but he played only 13 games in 2025-26 after hip surgery. Left wing Zachary L'Heureux (lower body) is also day-to-day heading into opening week, so Colorado could be missing two fourth-line grinders on Wednesday.

Sep 28

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Returns to Full Practice

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (lower body) participated fully in Tuesday's practice, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. The superstar defenseman was dealing with a lower-body injury as training camp opened, but he has shaken it off. Makar could jump into action later this week, when the Avalanche complete their preseason schedule. Jared Bednar's team starts the regular season on Sept. 30 against the Los Angeles Kings. There doesn't appear to be any danger of Makar missing opening night. Makar has racked up more than 250 points over the last three campaigns and will be among the league's most prolific defensemen again in 2026-27.

Sep 23

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Expecting to Take "Another Step"

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog believes he can elevate his performance in 2026-27. The Avalanche captain returned from a knee injury last season, recording 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 games. He feels he can be much better this term. "I am expecting myself to take another step," Landeskog told NHL.com. "I've had a great summer. There's a huge difference from 12 months ago." The 33-year-old missed three regular seasons before returning. Landeskog was nearly a point-per-game player during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, building strong momentum heading into this season. Fantasy managers should keep him on their radar.

Sep 21

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Dealing With Lower-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (lower body) may not be available for Day 1 of training camp. The two-time Norris Trophy winner, who signed an extraordinary eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension this offseason, is bothered by a lower-body injury. While it's not ideal that Makar is dealing with a health issue entering training camp, he is expected to be fully ready for the regular season. Makar has been an incredible fantasy contributor in recent campaigns. Even in a down year in 2025-26, he averaged more than a point per game, with 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 appearances.

Sep 17

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Agrees to Record Extension

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports. It's the richest deal in NHL history, making Makar the first player to earn at least $20 million annually. He will have a cap hit of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season. Makar will more than double his current $9 million per year salary. Colorado has seen Makar develop into one of the league's best defensemen, making this raise well earned. The deal includes a full no-movement clause and will keep Makar under contract through the 2034-35 season, when he will be 36 years old.

Aug 30

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Avalanche "Confident" About Signing Cale Makar to New Deal

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has one season left on his contract, but he's unlikely to start the new season on an expiring deal. "We continue talking," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said over the weekend. "I'm pretty confident that he'll be signed before the season starts." Makar is expected to get a big raise from his current deal, which pays him $9 million annually. Colorado and fantasy managers alike have received plenty of value from Makar during his current contract, as he has led all defensemen in scoring since signing his extension in 2021. During the course of the deal, Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice as the NHL's best defenseman.

Aug 24

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Captures Bill Masterton Trophy And Mark Messier Award

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog has made history as the first player in NHL history to win both the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award. The Masterton Trophy is given to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." The Messier Award is presented to the player "who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey." Landeskog missed three regular-season campaigns before making his comeback in 2025-26. He recorded 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 games, adding 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 postseason outings. His strong playoff showing gives fantasy managers reason to believe Landeskog's scoring will increase next season.

Jun 10

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas finished Tuesday's 2-1 season-ending loss to the Vegas Golden Knights with an assist. The Avalanche once again struggled to generate offense against Vegas, but finally made a breakthrough late in the third period. Necas and Nazem Kadri set up Gabriel Landeskog for a late consolation goal. It was a strong campaign for Necas, who averaged a point per game in the playoffs after posting a career-high 100 points (38 goals, 62 assists) in 78 regular-season contests. He found a way to elevate his play, an encouraging sign for Colorado, as Necas' eight-year, $92 million contract extension will take effect next season.

May 27

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog scored the team's only goal in Tuesday's 2-1 season-ending loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Avalanche captain ended Carter Hart's shutout bid with 2:03 remaining in regulation. Landeskog finished the Conference Finals with three goals in four games, but many of his teammates struggled, leaving Colorado as the seventh No. 1 seed in history to be swept in a playoff series. In 13 postseason appearances, Landeskog recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists). Compared with the regular season, where he had 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 outings, the Swedish veteran took his offensive production to a new level.

May 27

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood will start Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. Scott Wedgewood has struggled against Vegas, recording a .877 save percentage, prompting Colorado to make a change in goal with elimination looming. Blackwood has seen action in three playoff games, posting a 1-0 record, a 3.20 goals-against average, and a .872 save percentage. He lost his lone start 3-2 in overtime against Vegas during the regular season, finishing with a .897 save percentage after facing 29 SOG.

May 26

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin a Game-Time Call Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) is a game-time decision against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Russian forward sustained a lower-body injury in Game 3 and did not participate in Tuesday's optional morning skate. Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) also sat out the morning skate but is expected to play. Having Nichushkin available would be a further boost for the Avalanche, who face elimination on Tuesday night. He has one goal in three games in the series, though Nichushkin has been quiet for much of the postseason. In 12 outings, he has recorded four points (two goals, two assists). Joel Kiviranta will likely enter the lineup if Nichushkin is ultimately ruled out.

May 26

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Will Suit Up Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) will play in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. After suffering a lower-body injury, MacKinnon was used sparingly in the third period of Game 3, and it was initially unclear whether he would be available for Game 4. According to Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, the star forward felt much better on Tuesday morning and is expected to play in all situations. MacKinnon leads the Avalanche with seven goals and 15 points in 12 postseason games. He has gone scoreless only once in his last nine appearances.

May 26

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4

Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) and Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) are uncertain for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports. Both players suffered lower-body injuries in Game 3. "I don't have any updates," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Monday. "Those guys are getting treatments, they're getting evaluated. It could be tomorrow morning before we know, it could be game time before we know, so we'll just plan for all scenarios." Losing MacKinnon from the lineup would be particularly bad for Colorado. He leads the team with seven goals and 15 points in 12 postseason games. MacKinnon ranks sixth all-time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a scoring average of 1.31 points per game.

May 25

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