NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reported on Tuesday that the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have agreed to an implementation schedule for CBA changes.

Sources: The #NHL and #NHLPA have agreed to a rolling implementation schedule for CBA changes.

Among them: the new playoff salary cap system will come into effect *this season* for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 2, 2025

The most notable of the bunch is the implementation of the new playoff salary cap system for the upcoming 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. That means teams won’t be able to bury players on LTIR until April and then activate them in the postseason despite being above the salary cap.

How could the Avs take advantage of this? Simply by having cap flexibility.

The fact that the Avalanche currently have cap space flexibility already puts them at an advantage. And if that cap continues to grow and accrue over the course of the season, they’ll be able to utilize it to their advantage at the trade deadline.

Most importantly, they can take advantage of teams struggling to remain cap compliant. And I’m willing to wager that no team hates this early implementation of the playoff salary cap system more than the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Earlier in the summer, I wrote that Colorado should target Evan Rodrigues from the Panthers. He looks like the obvious odd man out if the team needs to trade someone to remain under the cap ceiling. But then rumors started to circulate that Matthew Tkachuk was going to start the season on LTIR, and that was all but confirmed in recent weeks.

The Panthers suddenly have time to decide what to do. They don’t have to trade Rodrigues or anyone else to get under the cap right away. But they’ll have to eventually.

They won’t be able to play the LTIR game all season. If someone else gets hurt when Tkachuk returns, they can kick the can further down the road, but they won’t be able to do that all the way until the playoffs start. The roster, as currently constructed, with everyone healthy, is not cap compliant, and won’t be able to all dress at the same time in the regular season or playoffs.

Should the Avs still target Rodrigues? We’ll have to wait and see. It depends on how Victor Olofsson looks on the third line and if they decide they need an upgrade. And after that, they’ll have to determine if Rodrigues at $3 million until 2027 is the best option.

But even if not him, or the Panthers, the Avalanche’s cap flexibility will allow them an opportunity to get someone from a cap strapped team before the playoffs.

The next advantage for the Avs is confirmation from Seravalli’s report that new contract structures will not take effect until Sept. 16, 2026.

You can click the article below for more on why this helps the Avalanche. But in short, Cale Makar can sign a new deal under the current rules after July 1, but before Sept. 16. And the same rules will apply for all free agents on July 1, including UFA Martin Necas and RFA Jack Drury.

Read More: New CBA Changes Likely Won’t Affect Cale Makar’s Next Contract with Avalanche

The post NHL Insider Frank Seravalli Outlines CBA Timeline That Benefits the Avalanche appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — August 24.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avalanche and DU Pioneers are playing an Alumni Game at Magness Arena that will include Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Adam Foote, and even recently retired Peter Mueller.

Joe Sakic, however, will be behind the bench. The team’s longtime captain won’t be able to dress for this game, as he noted on Saturday while speaking to John Michael Liles.

The Avalanche’s full roster is below.

#Avs Alumni roster at Magness Arena today.

Sakic is coaching, not playing pic.twitter.com/GDIgijQHaf

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) August 24, 2025

READ MORE: Peter Forsberg is in Town! — Avalanche Prepare for Alumni Game at Magness Arena

Also, Ron Hainsey and Marty Walsh, who are the leadership team for the NHL Players’ Association, were on 32 Thoughts over the weekend. Among the topics they discussed, Hainsey confirmed that the new salary bonus structure limitations, and the new seven-year max-term contracts won’t take effect until Sept. 16, 2026.

That means Cale Makar can sign a contract extension for eight years under the current CBA as long as he locks in his new deal before that date. Makar is ineligible to sign until July 1, 2026.

Will he sign for eight years?

READ MORE: New CBA Changes Likely Won’t Affect Cale Makar’s Next Contract with Avalanche

Around The NHL

Florida Hockey Now: The latest UFA signing, a depth forward, has landed with the Florida Panthers. I’d imagine he’ll get a shot at being an everyday player while Matthew Tkachuk recovers from his injury.

Boston Hockey Now: Hampus Lindholm was also a guest on 32 Thoughts. It doesn’t sound like he’s ready to commit to a rebuild or retool with the Bruins.

Philly Hockey Now: Could Jack Eichel be a realistic UFA option next summer?

Detroit Hockey Now: Steve Yzerman is a fan of the new 84-game schedule coming to the NHL in 2026-27.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Fenway Sports Group got a lot right, but they leave a bad taste as they move forward with trying to sell the Penguins.

The post Deen’s Daily: Avalanche Alumni Game Today! — Rosters Revealed; Will Makar Sign For 8 Years? appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

It’s been reported that some of the new rules regarding draft rights might begin immediately, even if the new CBA doesn’t technically begin until Sept. 16, 2026.

But among the changes that won’t begin until then: Contract length limitations and salary bonus structure.

On the latest 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman sat down with Marty Walsh and Ron Hainsey, who head the NHLPA. Hainsey confirmed that none of the changes to contract length and salary structure will be put into play until mid-September.

With the change, players re-signing with their current clubs can only sign for up to seven years and unrestricted free agents signing with a new club can only lock in for a maximum of six years. There will also be a 60% cap on how much of a contract can be allocated toward signing bonuses.

READ MORE: Peter Forsberg is in Town! — Avalanche Prepare for Alumni Game at Magness Arena

This is good for the Avs. It means they can still use the current CBA to sign extensions for both Martin Necas and, more importantly, Cale Makar.

Necas is an unrestricted free agent next July 1. If the Avs come to terms on a new deal with the forward, they’ll be able to give him eight years and allocate more bonus money to the contract. But that was always the case because Necas has been eligible to sign an extension for nearly two months now.

Makar’s next deal was always up in the air. It was rumored that the new contract rules would come into play on July 1, 2026, before Hainsey confirmed otherwise. Given that Makar is ineligible to sign an extension until that day, this is huge news for Colorado.

In order for the Avalanche to get Makar locked up for the current maximum term of eight years, they have to sign him before Sept. 16, 2026. That’ll give them two and a half months next summer to get a contract signed.

I’d suspect they’ll want to get things done pretty quickly, but that’s not always the case. For example, MacKinnon didn’t sign his early extension in 2022 until right before training camp began in September. And right now, the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid are still without a new contract.

If Makar’s extension talks drag into August or September, the new starting date for the new CBA will likely be the first deadline to get things done. I’d imagine Makar, who will be in his mid 30s at the conclusion of his next deal, would also rather have the option to sign for eight years instead of seven.

The Avs will also be able to front load Makar’s contract with yearly bonuses if they sign before Sept. 16, just like they did with MacKinnon. Nearly 85% of the Avalanche’s star centerman’s current contract is made up of bonuses.

That’s often what players prefer, which gives Makar added motivation to get a deal done.

The post New CBA Changes Likely Won’t Affect Cale Makar’s Next Contract with Avalanche appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — August 14.

Colorado Hockey Now

I’m trying my best to enjoy what’s left of the summer but, I have to admit, I’m craving hockey news.

This is honestly one of the better summers I’ve had in years. Maybe it’s because of the longer break, or maybe it’s the wonderful weather we’ve had (I’m up to 315 miles of running since early May).

Perhaps my first summer as a married man has something to do with it, too.

Either way, I’m off to Michigan to spend some time on the lake before things get going. Some of the guys are already skating informally at Family Sports and I imagine the rest will trickle in shortly after Labor Day weekend.

Most of them are probably going to make their way back from Italy soon. At least that’s what it seems like according to Erik Johnson’s hilarious Instagram stories.

I’m pretty sure Nathan MacKinnon got married over the past few days or so, and from what I can gather, it does look like it was a destination wedding. I don’t know any of this for sure and don’t want to dig much because it’s not really my place to do that.

Anyway, EJ posted a video of him grabbing a lobster from a tank and scaring MacKinnon with it.

The next day? He took it a step further. His next victims were Logan O’Connor, Josh Manson, Gabe Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, and even MacKinnon’s dad, Graham. It looks like they’re all having a great time before the work begins.

Erik Johnson is a menace pic.twitter.com/f9zkyIbSHG

— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) August 13, 2025

To continue the trend of on-brand offseason content, here’s a story about a list released by NHL Network, ranking the top-20 defensemen in the game today. You’ll never believe who they have at No. 1 (I kid, I kid).

READ MORE: NHL Network Lists Makar as Top Defenseman; Toews Cracks Top-20

Around The NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: I’m excited to see what the Habs can do this season. One of their big offseason adds, Zack Bolduc, is excited to get going.

The post Deen’s Daily: Erik Johnson is a menace; Makar Tops NHL Network List appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

NHL Network released a top-20 list ranking defensemen in the NHL. And to nobody’s surprise, Avalanche superstar blueliner Cale Makar is No. 1. I don’t necessarily think that part is all that interesting because quite frankly, we’re well aware of Makar’s excellence. I envision the two-time Norris Trophy winner has at least three more of them in his future and will go down as the best of his generation.

But I was a little curious about how the rest of the list would look, and it’s as controversial as usual for things like this. At times, I do feel like these are released to rile up the audience and get clicks and interactions.

It’s working.

No. 2 is Quinn Hughes which also isn’t really much of a surprise. But the rest of the order is where the debates begin. They have Zach Werenski listed No. 3, which is understandable given where he ended up in the Norris race. Albeit I still wouldn’t have him that high.

Miro Heiskanen and Victor Hedman round out the top five.

As for Devon Toews? He’s also there, but perhaps lower than he should be. He’s listed at No. 17, just ahead of Mikhail Sergachev and behind Adam Fox.

There’s a ton of recency bias in the list in general. I did find it interesting that the top 20 blueliners, at least according to NHL Network, have a combined only six Norris Trophies. Makar makes up 33% of those.

Our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list has a total of:
• 19 total All-Star Game appearances
• 9 All-Rookie team honors
• 6 James Norris Memorial Trophies
• 2 Calder Trophies
• 2 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 9 Stanley Cups

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/0MaGYS04de

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 13, 2025

The post NHL Network Lists Makar as Top Defenseman; Toews Cracks Top-20 appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

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.

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 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.