Avalanche News

WESTERN CENTRAL

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Skips Thursday's Game

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (back) will not dress for Thursday's tilt against the New York Islanders. The veteran netminder exited Tuesday's win over the Vancouver Canucks early due to a back issue, and while Wedgewood is not expected to miss much time, he will have the night off on Thursday. Wedgewood's emergence has been one of the stories of the season in the NHL, as he currently holds a league-best 13-1-3 record. He has allowed 2.07 goals with a .920 save percentage and one shutout. Mackenzie Blackwood, who is 6-0-1 for the campaign, will get the start on Thursday, with Trent Miner providing backup.

5 hours ago

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Exits Early With Back Problem

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (back) exited Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second period. He was pulled from the game due to back tightness. Before his exit, Wedgewood stopped 10 of 11 shots. Mackenzie Blackwood replaced him in the crease and helped Colorado secure another victory. The two Avalanche goaltenders have had an even workload lately, and both have performed admirably. It has been a dream campaign for Wedgewood, who was initially brought in as a backup. He currently holds a league-best 13-1-3 record and has become a candidate for Canada's Olympic team. Wedgewood ranks third in the NHL with a 2.07 goals-against average and is also in the top three with his .920 save percentage. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar described Wedgewood's issue as "nothing serious," so he could see more action this week.

Yesterday

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Available After Eight-Game Absence

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will return from an eight-game absence on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports. He is expected to join the second line and the first power-play unit. Nichushkin had a slow start to the season, but he has done a decent job overall for the Avalanche. In 17 appearances, Nichushkin has posted five goals and 12 points. One of his most recent outings was against the Canucks, and he finished the contest with two assists. Vancouver allows the second-most goals in the league and has the third-worst penalty kill, making this a dream matchup for the Avalanche forwards.

2 days ago

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog Cleared for Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (illness) and Gabriel Landeskog (illness) will play on Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks, Sportsnet's Dan Murphy reports. Both players sat out Monday's practice, along with fellow forward Parker Kelly, as there appears to be an illness spreading in the Avalanche dressing room. However, all three have been confirmed as available for Tuesday's game. MacKinnon is in the midst of another special campaign, leading the league in scoring with 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 25 games. He has lit the lamp in each of his last three games, amassing a total of seven points. Entering Tuesday's matchup, Landeskog is also on a three-game point streak, having produced three goals and one assist.

2 days ago

Brock Nelson • C • Avalanche

Brock Nelson Notches Four Points in Big Win

Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson became the team's fifth player with a four-point game this season, finishing Saturday's 7-2 hammering of the Montreal Canadiens with two goals and two assists. Nelson, who surpassed the 600-point mark for his career, factored in each of Colorado's first four goals in the game. The 34-year-old matched his career high with the four-game performance, having last recorded as many points in a single game four years ago. Prior to Saturday's contest, Nelson was on a three-game scoring drought. However, he has had a decent campaign overall, amassing 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 25 games.

4 days ago

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Ready to Return Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is poised to return to the lineup from a 17-game absence on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Kiviranta made only five appearances at the start of the season before landing on the shelf for more than a month. He has no points this season. During his time in Denver, Kiviranta has proven to be a valuable asset on the penalty kill while primarily playing in a bottom-six role. However, due to his limited role, the Finnish forward has no fantasy value.

Nov 26

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Gives Avalanche Second Consecutive Shutout

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood stopped all 22 shots he faced in Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, improving to 13-1-2 with a 1-0 victory. Colorado recorded a second consecutive shutout after Mackenzie Blackwood stopped the Nashville Predators from scoring on Saturday. The team has now won nine consecutive games, with Wedgewood holding an eight-game personal winning streak. Another victory would tie him for the second-longest winning streak in franchise history. Wedgewood, who leads the league in goalie wins, will begin the new week of action with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

Nov 24

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Posts 35-Save Shutout

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood recorded his first shutout of the season in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators, finishing the game with 35 saves. After Brent Bruns scored just 15 seconds into the game, Blackwood kept Colorado ahead until the team wrapped up the win with two empty-net goals. Blackwood recorded his third consecutive victory, improving to 3-0-1 for the season. He has a 2.47 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Due to offseason lower-body surgery, we haven't seen much of Blackwood in 2025-26. But he is starting to get regular action, providing competition for Scott Wedgewood, who is set to start in Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov 23

Gavin Brindley • RW • Avalanche

Gavin Brindley to Sit Out at Least Two Games

Colorado Avalanche forward Gavin Brindley (lower body) is currently not with the team and will miss this weekend's back-to-back on the road against Nashville and Chicago, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. Brindley suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's win over the New York Rangers and will be sidelined for at least two games. The 21-year-old has scored four goals and seven points in 18 appearances during his rookie campaign. The Avalanche have brought up Jason Polin from the minors to fill the gap in the lineup. Meanwhile, Gabriel Landeskog will move to the second line on Saturday night and will also join the first power-play unit. During his comeback season, Gabriel Landeskog has been limited to six points (two goals, four assists) in 20 games, but a move to a scoring line and the top power-play unit significantly increases his fantasy value.

Nov 22

Gavin Brindley • RW • Avalanche

Gavin Brindley Hurt Versus Rangers

Colorado Avalanche forward Gavin Brindley (lower body) was limited to 2:47 of ice time in Thursday's 6-3 win over the New York Rangers. He suffered a lower-body injury midway through the first period. Brindley tried to return for the second period but didn't feel comfortable enough to play. Colorado has recently used Brindley in a second-line role. He has notched four goals and seven points in 18 games during his rookie year. Considering he attempted to return after getting hurt, Brindley appears to have avoided a serious injury and could potentially be ready for this weekend's back-to-back. If he isn't, Victor Olofsson may get a new opportunity in the top six.

Nov 21

Samuel Girard • D • Avalanche

Samuel Girard Available Thursday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (upper body) will return from a 15-game absence on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old suffered an upper-body injury right at the start of the season and has played in just two games in 2025-26. Last season, Girard did a little bit of everything for the Avalanche, finishing the campaign with 24 points (three goals, 21 assists), 95 shots, 111 blocks, and 62 hits in 73 outings. Girard will take Jack Ahcan's spot in the lineup after the team reassigned him to the AHL earlier this week.

Nov 14

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Considered Week-to-Week

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will exit the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres and is considered week-to-week. The Russian forward sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday's victory over the Anaheim Ducks. This season, Nichushkin has been Colorado's sixth-highest scorer, posting 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 17 appearances. Rookie Gavin Brindley will join the second line in Nichushkin's absence on Thursday. The 21-year-old has collected four points in the last five games, and his fantasy stock receives a further boost with Brindley's promotion to a top-six role.

Nov 14

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Sustains Lower-Body Injury in Win

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) didn't complete Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. He left the contest early in the third period. Prior to his exit, the Russian forward helped Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog score his first regular-season goal in three years. Nichushkin has contributed five goals and seven assists across 17 outings this season. His potential absence from the lineup for the upcoming games could give Landeskog or Viktor Olofsson a larger role in the Avalanche attack. Colorado will return to action on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Nov 12

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Totals Five Points in Overtime Win

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon could do no wrong in Sunday's contest against the Vancouver Cancucks, tallying two goals and three assists in a 5-4 overtime victory. He became only the second NHLer in the past 25 years to record at least four points on back-to-back days. The sensational performance took MacKinnon's points streak to nine games, which has catapulted him to the top of the league's scoring charts. MacKinnon has produced a league-high 14 goals and sits on 29 points in 16 appearances. Currently, the Avalanche superstar looks unstoppable, and his hot streak may continue for a while, as Colorado begins a four-game homestand on Tuesday.

Nov 10

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Extends Point Streak to Seven Games

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon stretched his point streak to seven games on Tuesday night, posting a power-play assist in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. This marks the 25th time in his career that MacKinnon has recorded a point streak of at least seven games, placing him second in franchise history behind only Joe Sakic (35). With a total of 20 points, MacKinnon currently shares the second spot on the league's scoring charts and is tied for first with 10 goals. He has gone without a point in only two of his 14 appearances this season and has already recorded six multi-point games. The Avalanche star will attempt to extend his point streak to eight games in a fascinating matchup against the league's leading scorer, Connor McDavid, and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

Nov 5

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Set for Season Debut Saturday

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to make his first appearance of the 2025-26 campaign in Saturday's meeting with the San Jose Sharks. After missing time because of a lower-body injury, Blackwood returned to the lineup this week, serving as a backup to Scott Wedgewood in a pair of games. Blackwood started last season with the Sharks and won both games against them after he was traded to the Avalanche. Overall, he produced a 22-12-3 record with his new squad, allowing 2.33 goals with a .913 save percentage and three shutouts. San Jose has gone 3-6-2 this season but averages 3.36 goals per game, so this may not be a walk in the park for Blackwood on Saturday.

Nov 1

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Inks Eight-Year Extension With Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas has agreed to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the team. This marks a significant pay raise for Necas, who is currently finishing up a two-year, $13 million deal. A source told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that Necas will earn $60.4 million in signing bonuses while having a full no-trade clause in the first seven years of his new contract. Necas has just started his first full season in Denver and has shown off hot form, registering 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 11 contests. He became a point-per-game player last season and looks set to maintain the scoring pace throughout 2025-26.

Oct 30

Victor Olofsson • LW • Avalanche

Victor Olofsson Has Career Night With Five Points

Colorado Avalanche winger Victor Olofsson exploded for a career-high five points in Tuesday's 8-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils. He became only the fourth player in team history to record a five-point game at age 30 or older, scoring a hat trick and delivering two assists. Olofsson posted one goal and two assists on the power play. Before Tuesday's game, Olofsson had only five points for the season. He's now on three goals and 10 points with 11 games played. Fantasy managers can't rely on Olofsson for consistent production, but he can rack up points occasionally as a member of Colorado's first power-play unit.

Oct 29

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Out Indefinitely With Lower-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) was ruled out indefinitely by the team on Saturday. The Finnish forward has sustained a lower-body injury and will miss his first game of the season on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately, this won't be the only contest Kiviranta misses, and it's unclear when he can return to the lineup. Kiviranta has made five appearances this season, going scoreless as a fourth-line contributor. His absence will allow Zakhar Bardakov to make his NHL debut on Saturday night. Bardakov had a career year in the KHL last season, registering 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 53 outings. Fantasy managers should not expect him to maintain such productivity in the NHL, as he will be limited to fourth-line minutes.

Oct 18

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Nets Two Goals Against Sabres

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon had two goals in Monday's 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. He opened and finished the scoring, doubling his goals tally for the season. MacKinnon has also picked up four assists, giving him a whopping eight points through the first four games of the campaign. The Avalanche superstar has scored in three consecutive regular-season games for the first time since March 2024. It's also been 18 months since MacKinnon last had a four-game goal-scoring streak. He will get a chance to extend his scoring run on Thursday against a Columbus team that's allowing a league-high 37.3 shots on goal per game early into the season.

Oct 14

Avalanche News

LEGEND