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Examining where the Colorado Avalanche stand in early summer.
It’s been an unusual start to the 2025-26 league year as teams weren’t largely finished shaping their rosters by the July 4th holiday. Most teams were able to retain their free agents, and as a result, there have been fewer options on the market. The
Colorado Avalanche were never big spenders on July 1st, but have more questions than they typically do at this juncture. Here is how we assess the organization's standing early this summer.
What has been the best move made thus far by Colorado this offseason?
Adrian: Not a lot in terms of splash moves this offseason thus far, but I am impressed that the Avalanche front office was able to unload the Miles Wood contract despite his term and ongoing back issues. That, in tandem with trading Charlie Coyle, has put the Avalanche in a position to spend money more equitably and fill out the roster on a more balanced basis. I wonder who they plan on paying, considering not much was spent on July 1st.
Jackie: Getting rid of Wood without much pain was a welcome development but the other shoe hasn’t dropped in regards to where the extra cap space is going to fill out the third line. It has been pretty quiet thus far and we know the team isn’t done, so it’s a cautious evaluation. Signing Brent Burns for a year was also a creative addition to the blueline.
Jess: To echo Adrian’s and Jackie’s sentiments, the Coyle and Wood move is the best move so far this offseason, in my opinion. It was an excellent piece of business to clear out some cap room and get out from under those two contracts at once. As Jackie alluded to, we know they’re likely not done quite yet as they haven’t used that cap space quite yet, but there is still plenty of time left this summer and before the season starts for them to fill out their roster.
What roster holes remain, and how important is it to get them filled?
Adrian: I still think the Avalanche have some work to do in their bottom six with Logan O’Connor slated for a long recovery early on in the season. Adding Brent Burns helps fill that 6-7D slot, but I’d like to see the Avalanche shake up the back end with an accurate 4D. I agree with Jackie, who on numerous occasions has mentioned that Josh Manson doesn’t feel like a second-pair guy any longer.
Ezra: They have to add a third line forward and a left handed defenseman. They are short one NHL caliber option at both those positions right now. There are a few free agents available I suspect they’d sign today, but MacFarland’s press conferences have indicated they’re working on a trade as a first priority - most likely for that LHD, as the free agent options on the back end are not as enticing as the forwards.
Jackie: The third line seems pretty barren and at minimum the Avalanche have to replace Charlie Coyle at center and Joel Kiviranta at wing (don’t just bring him back). Contenders have real depth through the third line so these should not be throw-away positions. A left handed defenseman also seems a priority, though Brent Burns will probably get a fair amount of time on ice so there probably isn’t the role and money available for a true top four add. Still, I refuse to believe that Sam Malinski-Josh Manson is Colorado’s idea for the bottom pair so some addition (and subtraction) seems likely to round out the defense core.
Jess: The top priority to me is the third line; it’s pretty barren, and some work needs to be done to replace Coyle and Kiviranta at the very least, as Jackie said. From there, I’m with Adrian and Ezra, their defense needs some work, aside from the top pairing of Makar and Toews, and there’s plenty of time to work on those before the season starts.
Are there any concerns with Martin Nečas’ contract situation at this point?
Adrian: I’m concerned, for sure, as it’s pretty well known that Necas’ negotiations with Carolina were pretty contentious before the Marty Party rolled into Mile High. Moreover, I imagine Necas realizes career-high regular season numbers this coming season, but his real proving ground comes on a playoff sheet. He is going to bet on himself, but the deadline will be awkward either way. To me, Colorado will be forced to pay a premium ahead of the deadline, trade him, or risk seeing him walk for nothing but cap space. That would effectively and ultimately make the Mikko trade an L.
Ezra: I’m not concerned at all, in that I’m pretty comfortable with them trading him if he won’t sign a good value extension. I think it’s good business for them to see how he does in Colorado with a full camp before committing big money and term, so the way I see it if they take some time and then extend him that’s great OR if they take some time and then trade him mid season for an upgrade elsewhere that is also great. Nathan MacKinnon will elevate whoever is on his wing — if it’s not Necas, they just need to find his Bryan Rust.
Jackie: Without loyalty or championship feelings to fall back on this relationship is already pretty transactional to begin with. If there already isn’t common ground on a deal it’s going to be pretty tough to find any in the future especially with contracts getting more expensive by the minute. I don’t see the Nečas situation going unresolved past the summer and the Avalanche have yet to build a third line or find a non-replacement level left handed defenseman. So, these things may not be a coincidence. Nečas holds a fair amount of trade value, though he’s rapidly approaching rental status, but continuing to degrade the top talent on the roster because of contract issues isn’t going to help Colorado keep up in the West.
Jess: I’m not really all that concerned personally, whatever happens happens. I do think that these two sides can get something done if they sit down and communicate in negotiations like adults (which might be easier said than done), but if he won’t sign a good-value extension and wants Leon Draisaitl money, for example, I’m perfectly fine with trading him if that’s the case. As Jackie said, though, you also can’t keep trading away top talent and expect to keep up in the West, especially given the arms race, for lack of a better term, that’s happened recently with top Western Conference teams loading up with talent to compete, which is why my preference would be for them to sign him, with that being said.
What is your take on the Brent Burns signing, and how will he fit in the lineup?
Jackie: I am definitely favor inking Burns instead of whatever the contract offer to Ryan Lindgren was. It’s a sneaky, yet legal, way to pay $4M for the position but have the option to push most of his salary to next season if needed. Still, it’s a short-term solution and I’d generally prefer to see the top four defense core more solidified. But for one year Burns might bring some swagger back to the team and entertainment the in-house content team can’t deny.
Adrian: It’s all about the price tag to me, and for $1M and incentives, I say it's a quality add to the back end. The structure of the contract is such that Burns will be rewarded for staying healthy and contributing, which I appreciate. Burns has quite a ceiling as a likely HOFer and is still hunting for his first Cup, so his perspective should breathe life into the locker room as well.
Ezra: I’m a big Burns fan, and he may not be the guy he was ten years ago but if he’s the guy he was last year it’s an upgrade on Josh Manson at 2RD. He’s an excellent PK guy despite his more offense-centric reputation, and in Carolina he played a shutdown role against top competition at even strength -- his length and IQ will be a nice boost to the Avs blue line on their own, and I think this is a precursor to a move for a sturdier fit on the left side with either Manson or Malinski on the way out. Hopefully Manson because I don’t want this team getting any older.
Jess: I’m not a big Burns fan or anything personally, but I like the signing quite a bit, especially knowing what other defenseman who play a similar style, like Lindgren, got in free agency. The age and decline are a concern, sure, but similarly to Lindgren, I really think Burns will be perfectly fine in a much more sheltered role than where he was playing in the lineup in Carolina.
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