The Colorado Avalanche has a roster worthy of Stanley Cup contender status. Though, like every other top team in the NHL, an upgrade or two before the trade deadline could certainly help.
There’s no definitive favorite as the 2025-26 NHL season draws near. Sure, the Florida Panthers are back-to-back champions and return the bulk of their roster, but a three-peat would also mean four consecutive trips to the Cup Final. That’s really hard to do.
The Avs are relatively healthy, with training camp less than two weeks away. There was just enough offseason roster turnover, plus the expected return to full-time duty for captain Gabe Landeskog, that this camp is as much about where the pieces fit for Colorado as who is going to be in the lineup Oct.