The two former teammates dropped the gloves just one day after playing together for the Avalanche. It was a testament to the overall difficulties of the 2016-17 season.
The 2016-17 Colorado Avalanche team did not have a good year. In fact, statistically, that Avs team had the sixteenth-worst season in NHL history. They finished the year with 48 points after going 22-56-4. Only the 2023-24 San Jose Sharks (with a record of 19-54-9, "good" enough for 47 points) have had a worse season in the salary cap era.