I still wonder about the center position. On one hand, Chris MacFarland made it clear in June that he really loves having Jack Drury as the fourth-line center. If he starts the year at 3C, it might ultimately mean the Avs don’t have a traditional third line. This was also something the general manager noted at the draft — having two hard-working bottom six lines to go along with the talented top-six the team boasts.

Anyway, here’s where things currently stand on the Avs’ depth chart. Some of the players can play multiple positions, but ideally, this is how they’d stack up.

Centers

1. Nathan MacKinnon
2. Brock Nelson
3. Jack Drury
4. Zakhar Bardakov

Extras: Ivan Ivan, T.J. Tynan, & Jason Polin

If the team doesn’t acquire a centerman to replace Charlie Coyle, you can expect Bardakov to get the first look on opening night, assuming he does well at training camp. MacFarland singled him out specifically in June as someone they’d like to see step up.

Bardakov is already 24 years old and has four years of professional hockey experience in the KHL. He had a breakout last season, posting 17 goals, 18 assists, and 35 points in 50 games. At 6’2, 200 lbs, he’s got the physicality and energy to fill that fourth-line role. It’s just a matter of having his game translate to the NHL, which isn’t always the case.

The Avs got Bardakov from the New Jersey Devils in the Kurtis MacDermid trade.

Drury is 25, and this will probably be the season that determines how his career will shake out. If he gets the 3C opportunity and runs with it, there’s a reality where he locks in a higher AAV contract next summer and become the permanent third-line center on the depth chart.

But if the Avs feel the need to still bring in someone to play ahead of him, it likely means Drury as the 4C would be the plan moving forward. Can he develop into something more in the future? Absolutely. We’ve seen several examples of this in the NHL. But at 25 years old and with two full NHL seasons (plus two other years split with the AHL) under his belt, this would be the time for him to take that next step.

Even if Drury steps up, the Avs still lack depth and need another centerman to avoid moving Parker Kelly or Ross Colton back to the middle at any point. Injuries will probably happen.

The first two lines are set. Let’s hope the Nelson gamble pays off. I have high hopes for him in the Avs’ system with a full training camp and without the shock of a mid-season trade for a guy that had to navigate leaving his family around the trade deadline.

I know the production wasn’t all there, but that line with Gabe Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin did a lot of really good things.

Wingers

1. Martin Necas
2. Artturi Lehkonen
3. Valeri Nichushkin
4. Gabe Landeskog
5. Ross Colton
6. Logan O’Connor (injured)
7. Joel Kiviranta
8. Parker Kelly

Extras: Nikita Prischepov, Gavin Brindley, Matthew Stienburg, Danil Gushchin, Tye Felhaber, Taylor Makar, Chase Bradley, Cooper Gay, & Alex Barre-Boulet 

I figured it would make more sense to combine wingers into one category. Aside from Necas, the other three top-six wingers in Colorado’s lineup all have the ability to play both sides. Even Kiviranta and Colton have played on both wings in their two years under Jared Bednar.

I also wouldn’t read into how I ranked the top four. I simply just went by their total points from last season. Any combination of those four guys in the top six makes sense. We’ll probably see Lehkonen and Necas start with MacKinnon, but I’d love to see Landeskog reunited with MacKinnon at some point. I also loved Nichushkin in 2023-24 on MacKinnon’s wing.

I genuinely can’t think of a combo between those four guys that wouldn’t work.

The third line ended last year with Kiviranta and Jonathan Drouin as the wingers. But Colton also started on that line with Kiviranta before his injury, and before Landeskog came back and pushed Drouin out of the top six.

If nobody else is added to the roster, I suspect Kiviranta and Colton will get the first look with Drury on the third line. And that’ll leave Kelly with Bardakov and whichever other AHLer or rookie that makes the opening night roster. It seems bare. And it is.

And that’s why I can’t imagine the front office stops here. I would suspect at least one more bottom six forward gets signed before opening night, and maybe even before training camp.

But even the waiver wire is going to be interesting to watch this year.

Right Defense

1. Cale Makar
2. Josh Manson
3. Brent Burns
4. Sam Malinski

Extra: Ronald Attard

The addition of Burns is so unbelievably intriguing. This is a guy that played heavy minutes in a very important role for a team in Carolina that made it to the Eastern Conference Final in two of the three seasons he was there.

I don’t imagine Burns is going to be the fifth most used defenseman on the team all year. I also think he might see some time on the left to get a chance to line up with Manson. But in a league where right defensemen are hard to find, the Avs have four that are capable of playing every single night.

If everyone is healthy for opening night, and no other additions are made, I imagine Malinski and Burns will make up the third pair with one of them shifting to their offhand side.

Left Defense

1. Devon Toews
2. Samuel Girard
3. Keaton Middleton

Extras: Sean Behrens & Jack Ahcan

Toews will play with Makar. That we know for sure. But that’s basically all that’s set in stone.

Are the Avs going to keep Girard with Manson? Will he get a look with Burns instead? Or will Manson and Burns load up on the second pair and push Girard down with Malinski? The options are endless.

Middleton is a solid extra and deserves to be around the team full-time. He’ll play a lot again this year if or when injuries happen.

Goaltending

1. Mackenzie Blackwood
2. Scott Wedgewood

Extras: Trent Miner & Ilya Nabokov (loaned to the KHL)

The Lumbar Yard is back, and they’re here for a full season this time around. This should be an exciting year in goal for the Avs.

If injuries strike here, Miner will probably be the main guy to get call-ups, just like last season. And Nabokov, who is on loan in the KHL, will be able to join the organization, likely in the AHL, once his season ends in Russia.

That’s assuming the Eagles qualify for the postseason again.

The post Avalanche Depth Chart: Lineup Coming Together but Still an Unfinished Product appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — August 1.

Colorado Hockey Now

While we await news on which players the Avs will have at training camp (including perhaps another signing or two, or some professional tryouts), we did get word on Hockey Canada’s orientation camp.

The NHL is sending players to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014 and three of the Avs’ best are likely going to represent Canada. Injuries aside, probably nothing will keep Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, or Devon Toews off of that roster. And Hockey Canada announced on Friday that all three of them will be part of the orientation camp later this month.

You can read more on that, plus see the full list of invites below.

READ MORE: MacKinnon, Makar, and Toews Among 42 Hockey Canada Orientation Camp Invites

Also, in case you missed it, I tracked down three storylines that are more under the radar for the upcoming Avalanche season. Read that below.

READ MORE: 3 Under-the-Radar Avalanche Storylines to Follow This Season

Going back to MacKinnon, the Avalanche’s star centerman spent a day celebrating Brad Marchand’s Stanley Cup championship. Marchand, who won the Cup with Florida, hosted both MacKinnon and fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby at his Stanley Cup party. The trio have a combined six Cups between them.

I’m sure MacKinnon would like to become a multi-Cup champ like the other two soon.

Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby both pulled up to Brad Marchand’s Nova Scotia Stanley Cup celebration

(via IG/mackinnon29, kasloane) pic.twitter.com/YoErNcWoyQ

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 31, 2025

Around The NHL

San Jose Hockey Now: Earlier that morning, Crosby and MacKinnon went for a skate with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. It’s safe to say the young San Jose duo was humbled quite a bit. That had to be an epic experience for those guys.

We’ve got Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith going against Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon in summer training

(h/t @technicallybee) pic.twitter.com/49mC8wtNy4

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 31, 2025

For Celebrini, his invitation to the Hockey Canada orientation camp is the first step towards a hopeful Olympics roster spot at the ripe young age of 19 years old.

Florida Hockey Now: Our folks at FHN had more on Marchand’s entire day with the Cup.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Everything you need on the Pens rebuild, prospect rankings, and more.

Detroit Hockey Now: I’m a firm believer that the Red Wings need to keep roster spots open for young prospects to get a long look. Enough with the Andrew Copp, J.T. Compher, Justin Holl, and Erik Gustafsson type of signings. Carter Mazur is ready to prove he should be on the roster.

Montreal Hockey Now: the Habs will have three participants at the Hockey Canada camp. Only one was on the roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The post Deen’s Daily: Team Canada Announces Camp Invites; MacKinnon, Crosby Celebrates with Marchand appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews — all of whom played for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off — received invites to the event. Both MacKinnon and Makar were already named to the official roster.

In total, Canada has 42 men’s hockey players coming to camp, with hopes of picking their roster from this list for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The camp will take place in Calgary, Alberta, from Aug. 26-28.

This is the first time in 12 years that the NHL is going to pause its regular season in order to let players participate in the event.  The Avalanche will not play any games from Feb. 4 to Feb. 25 to accommodate.

The full roster of invites is below.

The post MacKinnon, Makar, and Toews Among 42 Hockey Canada Orientation Camp Invites appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

“I love coming to the rink every day and working. It really is the best. You’re around guys that they’re chasing one goal, there’s just something special about it — all the laughs and working hard together. It’s really special to try to build something together. And I just enjoy that process,” Burns told the media on Thursday via Zoom.

“There’s a lot of different reasons I love that and obviously the biggest one for me is there’s still something to chase. So I’m still super motivated for that. And, yeah, there’s one big goal still.”

Burns has relationships with a few players, which will make his integration into the team a bit easier. He most recently played with Martin Necas and Jack Drury in Carolina, but knows other new teammates.

READ MORE: Deen’s View: At 40, Burns Isn’t Done Yet — But Where Does He Fit on Colorado’s Blue Line? (+)

“Hockey is a pretty small world. I played with Mac (Nathan MacKinnon) before. I’ve come across Brock (Nelson) a little bit. We have some mutual friends in Minnesota. And obviously I know Nechi (Necas) and Jacko (Drury), and there’s a couple other relationships there,” Burns said.

The 6-foot-5 blueliner was drafted in the first round (20th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. He spent seven seasons with the Wild before being traded to the San Jose Sharks on June 24, 2011. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2016-17 and was a finalist for the accolade in 2015-16 and 2018-19. After 11 seasons with the Sharks, Burns was traded to the Canes on July 13, 2022.

Playing both forward and defense in his career, Burns has proven a valuable two-way player. His style and experience will undoubtedly fit seamlessly into the Avs’ system and structure.

“Anytime you have a guy that has that kind of experience, to put in with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon and the other guys that we have that are maybe not quite 40 years old, but they’ve got a lot of miles in this league and have been good players for a long time. So I think he’s going to fit right in with our group,” GM Chris MacFarland said.

READ MORE: Avs Still Have Work to Do After Coyle, Wood, and Brindley Trade

The Barrie, Ontario native had 29 points (6G/23A) and averaged 20:57 of time on ice per game last season. He played a perfect regular season and added five points in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games. With 1,497 career regular-season games under his belt (eighth-most all-time by a defenseman) and 14 years the wiser than his fellow Norris Trophy-winning teammate, Burns is excited to learn new things from Cale Makar.

“I’ve heard a lot about how he approaches the game and how he is at the rink. I love that,” Burns said. “I’m 40 years old, but I can still learn a lot. And I don’t know if I’ll be able to do any of it, but I love that part. Trying to learn from people around you is such an important thing, and trying to adapt to it.”

Burns’ extensive resume with numerous awards and milestones is exceptional, but the most important of all trophies is missing — which he hopes to add with his new team.

The post ‘There’s One Big Goal Still’: Burns is Excited to Join Avs appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 28.

Colorado Hockey Now

The decentralized draft means the Avs’ front office is set up in the locker room at Ball Arena. I and other local media were invited to come watch the draft from the rink, and general manager Chris MacFarland met with us to specifically talk about the trade that sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus.

He’ll meet with us again at the conclusion of Day 2 to talk about everything else.

Read More: Avs Still Have Work to Do After Coyle, Wood, and Brindley Trade

MacFarland mentioned something about goaltending being the only position that’s figured out so far. I expect quite a bit of movement on the blueline and in the bottom six. Should be a fun few days ahead.

Here are my thoughts on the deal, and what should come next.

Read More: Deen’s View: With Coyle and Wood Gone, Avalanche’s Main Focus Should Shift to Defense (+)

The Avs have made two selections in the draft through the first four rounds. They took overage defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce No. 77 overall before selecting another blueliner, Linus Funck (what a name), at No. 118. The only remaining pick they have is in the seventh round (assuming they don’t trade for another pick).

And now for the funny stuff. There were some pretty ridiculous rumors flying around about Sidney Crosby again. My general rule of thumb is, unless they’re coming from the main insiders, it’s probably not going to happen. Especially with a name as highly regarded as Crosby.

Anyway, there’s been some chatter online that MacKinnon and Crosby were together when Kevin Weekes tiptoed around the idea on live television during the draft. After Spittin’ Chiclets posted it on Instagram, MacKinnon responded, “fake news.”

The Avalanche’s top star has had enough.

Let's not do the Crosby thing again. pic.twitter.com/Di1Gb9ioqh

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 28, 2025

Around The NHL

Marner to Vegas?! — This is so fresh that we don’t have an article on Vegas Hockey Now yet. Hannah Kreh is our wonderful writer covering the Golden Knights and she’ll be all over this in no time. Anyway, Elliotte Friedman and Darren Dreger are both reporting that Vegas is working on a sign and trade for Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The deal would involve center Nicolas Roy, who is signed for two more years carrying a $3 million AAV. Honestly, that would be a great get for the Leafs. They were going to lose Marner for nothing and instead would fill a massive need on the third line and fill out their center depth with Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Scott Laughton.

Roy was a guy I was hoping the Avs could get after trading Coyle. It just doesn’t seem likely that Vegas would want to make a deal with Colorado.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings made the biggest move of the day (so far), acquiring goalie John Gibson from Anaheim. It’s actually a pretty solid trade for the Wings and a worthwhile risk for a player that has had quite a few injuries struggles in recent years.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pens swapped defensemen with the Buffalo Sabres and acquired a second-round draft pick in the process.

Florida Hockey Now: Sam Bennett wants to be part of a dynasty in Florida. That’s why he locked up a max-term deal on Friday.

The post Deen’s Daily: MacKinnon Has Had Enough; MacFarland Talks Coyle, Wood Trade; Marner to Vegas?! appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 17.

Colorado Hockey Now

Jonathan Toews can’t officially sign until July 1 but it sounds like he’s narrowing in on a decision. According to Chris Johnston on his SDPN podcast, it sounds like the 37-year-old is deciding between the Winnipeg Jets and the Avs.

Both teams make a lot of sense for the three-time Stanley Cup champion. Toews is from Winnipeg and would be returning home to be a useful centerman for a franchise that needs depth at that position. The Avs have addressed their center depth needs with recent acquisitions of Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and Jack Drury. But Toews would still be a welcoming add.

Anytime they can get their hands on a veteran depth piece, it helps. And Toews, who grew up a big fan of Joe Sakic, wears No. 19 for that reason. He would obviously need to change his number if he chose Colorado as his next destination. But we’ll bark up that tree if the time comes.

I still wonder which route the Avs take at the forward position this summer. On defense, it’s no question in my mind that they badly need to remake their D core past the first pair. How much they do will be determined.

But at forward, they can either shore up the depth on the bottom two lines or make a big swing in their top six. If the more unlikely route is the one they choose, I’ve been mulling over a trade scenario for the last handful of weeks that could make sense. Read more about it below.

Read More: Necas for Peterka: Are the Avalanche Positioned for a Sneaky One-for-One Trade?

The first six names for each of the 12 nations partaking in the 2026 Winter Olympics were announced earlier in the week. Four Avs are among them.

Gabe Landeskog, Sweden

Martin Necas, Czechia

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Canada

Read More: Offseason Musings: Rumors Galore — An Avalanche of Opportunities to Explore

Stanley Cup Final Series

Game 1: EDM 4-3 OT (Series: 1-0 EDM)
Game 2: FLA 5-4 OT (Series: 1-1 tied)
Game 3: FLA 6-1 (Series: 2-1 FLA)
Game 4: EDM 5-4 OT (Series: 2-2 tied)
Game 5: FLA 5-2 (Series: 3-2 FLA)
Game 6: EDM at FLA (Tuesday, June 17)
Game 7: FLA at EDM (Friday, June 20)

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin is entering the last year of his contract. Is this going to be the end of his NHL career?

Florida Hockey Now: The hype in Florida is growing as the Panthers look to win their second Stanley Cup in a row on home ice.

Detroit Hockey Now: Isaac Howard doesn’t want to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Should the Michigan State star be a target for the Red Wings?

The post Deen’s Daily: Avalanche Among Finalists for Jonathan Toews; Winter Olympics Preliminary Rosters appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

The Avalanche’s pair of superstars will represent their nation once again following a successful 4 Nations Face-Off Gold Medal this past February.

MacKinnon, 29, won the Four Nations MVP after scoring four goals in as many games. He also played for Canada again at the World Championships following the Avs’ early playoff elimination. In that tournament, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native recorded seven goals and 13 points in eight games.

After the First Six launch, bettors immediately installed Team Canada as the betting favorite at numerous sportsbettingsites.com.

Makar, 26, was a key piece of Team Canada’s Four Nations roster. He had one assist in three games but led the team with 28:06 of ice time while playing alongside Avalanche teammate Devon Toews. The reigning Norris Trophy winner is Canada’s top defenseman.

Both MacKinnon and Makar were among the six preliminary roster selections for the Four Nations nearly a year before that tournament took place. The duo is regarded as two of the best hockey players in the world.

Twelve nations will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics from Feb. 6-22. Each nation is revealing the first six names of their preliminary roster throughout the day on Monday.

Each nation’s roster is listed below.

Canada

• Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
• Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
• Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
• Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Sam Reinhart, RW, Florida Panthers

Czechia

• David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
• Pavel Zacha, C, Boston Bruins
• Martin Necas, RW, Colorado Avalanche
• Ondrej Palat, RW, New Jersey Devils
• Radko Gudas, D, Anaheim Ducks
• Lukas Dostal, G, Anaheim Ducks

Denmark

• Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets (UFA)
• Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes
• Lars Eller, C, Washington Capitals
• Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Jonas Rondbjerg, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
• Jesper Jensen Abo, D, EC-KAC (ICEHL)

France

• Yohann Auvitu, D, HC Vítkovice (Czechia)
• Jules Boscq, D, HPK (Liiga)
• Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, C, HC Ajoie (NL)
• Hugo Gallet, D, Tappara (Liiga)
• Jordann Perret, RW, Mountfield HK, (Czechia)
• Alexandre Texier, C, St. Louis Blues

Finland

• Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
• Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
• Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panther
• Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
• Esa Lindell, D, Dallas Stars
• Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators

Germany

• Lukas Reichel, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
• Nico Sturm, C, Florida Panthers
• Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
• Tim Stutzle, C, Ottawa Senators
• Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings
• Philipp Grubauer, G, Seattle Kraken

Italy

• Diego Kostner, F, HC Ambrì-Piotta (NL)
• Daniel Mantenuto, F, HC Bolzano (ICEHL)
• Tommy Purdeller, F, HC Pustertal (ICEHL)
• Luca Zanatta, D, HC Pustertal (ICEHL)
• Thomas Larkin, D, Schwenninger Wild Wings (DEL)
• Damian Clara, G, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

Latvia

• Rodrigo Abols, C, Philadelphia Flyers
• Zemgus Girgensons, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Teddy Blueger, C, Vancouver Canucks
• Uvis Balinskis, D, Florida Panthers
• Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
• Arturs Silovs, G, Vancouver Canucks

Slovakia

• Martin Pospisil, C, Calgary Flames
• Tomas Tatar, LW, EV Zug (NL)
• Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens
• Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey Devils
• Erik Cernak, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Martin Fehervary, D, Washington Capitals

Sweden

• Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche
• Lucas Raymond, LW, Detroit Red Wings
• William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Adrian Kempe, RW, Los Angeles Kings
• Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres
• Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Switzerland

• Kevin Fiala, LW, Los Angeles Kings
• Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey Devils
• Timo Meier, RW, New Jersey Devils
• Nino Niederreiter, RW, Winnipeg Jets
• Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators
• Jonas Siegenthaler, D, New Jersey Devils

United States

• Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights
• Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks
• Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
• Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators
• Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

The post MacKinnon, Makar Among Team Canada’s First Six For 2026 Olympics appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 13.

Colorado Hockey Now

The last of the NHL Awards were announced on Thursday ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. We learned after seeing the final voter tallies that Nathan MacKinnon wasn’t a finalist for the Hart Trophy because he missed out by a single point to Nikita Kucherov for third place. Leon Draisaitl was second and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and the Hart. Hellebuyck became the first goalie in 10 years to win the MVP — the first since Carey Price did it in 2015.

I figured MacKinnon would be pretty close to the top 3 in the Hart Trophy race. I didn't think he would literally be a point back.

Also, great to see Makar present in so many ballots. Makar had 7 second-place votes pic.twitter.com/DMHvuGuzQO

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 12, 2025

The Avs’ top two stars did earn a different honor. For the first time, both Cale Makar and MacKinnon were named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team in the same season. Makar was also on 31 ballots for the Hart Trophy, receiving seven second-place votes.

Yesterday I wrote my first edition of Offseason Musings, which covers literally anything and everything that comes to mind whether Avalanche-related or around the league. Among the points I made was a brief blip from Pierre LeBrun on his Rumblings piece about the Avs having interest in Jonathan Toews.

On Friday morning, Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that Colorado is in fact in on him. Friedman also mentioned the Winnipeg Jets as another team that Toews is speaking with, before also wondering if the Tampa Bay Lightning could be an option.

I’m of the belief that the Avs should role with MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and Jack Drury down the middle. I don’t think they should trade Coyle. If they want to clear space for other improvements, they have Ross Colton, Miles Wood, and Samuel Girard that are more suitable trade candidates. With that being said, I’m all for bringing Toews to Colorado. As a winger.

Given that the team is already going to be without Logan O’Connor for the first month or two of the regular-season, having Toews as an extra depth piece in the bottom six could be huge. We ultimately don’t know how much he’s got left in the tank. At most, he could impress and give you around 40-50 points and play a larger role. He might even unseat Coyle or Nelson if any of them are hurt or struggle. But at worst, Toews is a veteran presence who plays a solid two-way game and could be an excellent bottom-six checking forward.

Having him and Parker Kelly as those extra wingers that could shift to center is what this team needs. I don’t remember the last time they’ve been this deep at center already. Adding Toews could only elevate that.

We’ll see where this goes and if Toews becomes the latest veteran (similar to Zach Parise) to call Denver home late in his career.

If you missed it yesterday, you can read about that and my other thoughts in the article linked below.

Read More: Offseason Musings: Rumors Galore — An Avalanche of Opportunities to Explore

Stanley Cup Final Recap

Game 3: Before Thursday night, teams who had led 3-0 after the first period in the Stanley Cup Final were 37-0. They’re now 37-1.

Edmonton gave up three goals in the first but surged to score three in the second period to even the score. After gaining the lead in the final frame, they gave up the game-tying goal with 19 seconds remaining before Draisaitl scored his fourth OT game winner of the year to even the series at 2-2 with Calvin Pickard saving the day in relief.

What an absolutely incredible Stanley Cup Final it’s been. Truly, this has been the best series I’ve watched in a long, long time. The fact that the two latest game-tying goals in Stanley Cup Final history both have happened in this series is truly special.

I’m excited for a pivotal Game 5 on Saturday and I do believe Connor McDavid will make his mark in that game.

Stanley Cup Final Series

Game 1: EDM 4-3 OT (Series: 1-0 EDM)
Game 2: FLA 5-4 OT (Series: 1-1 tied)
Game 3: FLA 6-1 (Series: 2-1 FLA)
Game 4: EDM 5-4 OT (Series: 2-2 tied)
Game 5: FLA at EDM (Saturday, June 14)
Game 6: EDM at FLA (Tuesday, June 17)
Game 7: FLA at EDM (Friday, June 20)

Around The NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: Could Toews be a fit in Montreal?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is Fenway Sports Group actually trying to sell the Penguins just four years after acquiring the franchise? The rumors and reports are swirling, but FSG is trying to downplay it.

Florida Hockey Now: Game 4 had a little bit of everything.

Detroit Hockey Now: Is Nic Hague also on Detroit’s radar? It would appear so.

The post Deen’s Daily: Avs Stars Receive NHL Honors; Edmonton Makes Epic Comeback; Is Jonathan Toews Coming to Colorado? appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

MacKinnon earned First Team honors for the second time in his career after being selected in the top center spot in 2023-24. He had 85 first-place votes, which trailed Leon Draisaitl’s 102. But MacKinnon was on more ballots and finished with 731 points, narrowly defeating Draisaitl at 713.

Read More: Offseason Musings: Rumors Galore — An Avalanche of Opportunities to Explore

MacKinnon had an excellent season for the Avalanche, despite not reaching the incredible 140 points he had the previous year. The Avs’ star centerman finished second in the NHL with 116 points, which included a league-leading 84 assists (tied with Nikita Kucherov).

For Makar, it’s the third time he’s received First All-Star team honors. Makar was announced as the Norris Trophy winner on Wednesday after receiving 176 first-place votes out of 191 voters. In the All-Star team voting, Makar first on 189 ballots and second on one ballot. He was far and away the best defenseman in 2024-25.

Makar finished the season with 30 goals and 92 points. Both career highs.

This is the first time that MacKinnon and Makar are named to the First All-Star team in the same season.

Final voting results for the 2024-25 NHL First and Second All Star Teams: pic.twitter.com/bUUmnMUFhq

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 12, 2025

The post MacKinnon, Makar Earn NHL First All-Star Team Honors appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 4.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avs completed a very big part of their offseason before the Stanley Cup Final began. They signed their second-line center, Brock Nelson, to a three-year contract extension.

Nelson was acquired from the New York Islanders for Calum Ritchie and a 2026 first-round draft pick in March. He was a rental pickup at the trade deadline and one that came with a huge cost. Getting him locked in makes it easier to stomach what the Avs gave up.

More importantly, he could finally be the piece that gives the team stability at a position that has seen a revolving door of unsuccessful candidates since Nazem Kadri left in August 2022.

Click below to read my thoughts on where the team goes from here. Nelson’s deal is a huge piece of business. But it’s only the beginning.

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Read More: Deen’s View: Nelson Deal Sets the Table — Now the Real Work Begins for the Avalanche (+)

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 1: Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (6 pm MT on TNT & tru TV)

Around The NHL

Ted Lindsay Award: The winner of the Ted Lindsay Award was announced earlier on Wednesday. The award is given to the most outstanding player in the league, as voted on by the members of the NHL Players’ Association.

Nathan MacKinnon won it in 2024 and was looking to repeat. He was one of the three finalists, along with teammate Cale Makar and Nikita Kucherov. Unfortunately for the Avs’ duo, neither of them won. Kucherov is going home with his second career Ted Lindsay Award.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins finally hired a head coach, and it was a name that wasn’t being talked about much.

Philly Hockey Now: Rasmus Ristolainen once again finds himself on NHL trade boards.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils should make a run for Jason Robertson.

NYI Hockey Now: Nelson re-signing in Colorado could help the Islanders in more ways than one.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are making a change for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The post Deen’s Daily: Avs Solve 2C Issue; Ted Lindsay Award Winner; Stanley Cup Final Begins Tonight appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.