On October 23, 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes, donning their Hartford Whalers gear, came to Denver to face off with the Avalanche who debuted their 30th anniversary Quebec Nordiques uniforms. It was a close match, and the Canes ultimately came out on top via a shootout victory, 5-4. It was the first time that the trio of Brent Burns, Jack Drury, and Martin Neu010das found themselves facing off against their former club, and for Drury and Neu010das, who had never played for another franchise before their trade to Colorado, it was especially poignant.
Two days ago, the emotions were even higher, the feelings even more intense — the Avs kicked off a three-game road trip against the Southeastern-most teams in the NHL, with game one coming against the Hurricanes.