News Avalanche Team Notes

Morning Flurries: Landeskog nominated for an ESPY

NHL: APR 26 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Stars at Avalanche

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Also, details of Brent Burns’ one-year contract revealed.

It's not often we get an interview with a newly signed player but Brent Burns shared some time with the media right after inking his one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

Also, the detail of Burns’ performance bonus-laden contract were revealed including a $3M bonus just for playing 10 games, which essentially makes his contract a $4M deal at minimum.


Brent Burns 1 year #GoAvsGo Deal:

Salary $1M
Potential Performance Bonuses $4M:
-$3M @ 10 GP
-$1M if plays 23+ minutes in 70 GP

Cap Hit $1M, AAV $5M

Rep'd by Ron Salcer

Correcting previous tweet https://t.co/47wM3IP7uX

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 5, 2025

Another feather in the cap for the captain as Gabe Landeskog and his return depicted in the documentary “A Clean Sheet” is recognition from the ESPY awards nominating him as best comeback athlete.


Gabe Landeskog is nominated for an ESPY!

Stream "A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog" on max to watch the journey, then head to the #ESPYS to cast your vote for his unforgettable return: https://t.co/SetbFTQUz8 pic.twitter.com/aa8tAW8we8

— Fresh Tape Media (@freshtapemedia) July 3, 2025

One more contract was finalized over the holiday weekend and it’s for a player who will most likely have a greater impact on the Colorado Eagles. Alex Barre-Boulet inked a one-year two-way deal which will reportedly pay him the $775k league minimum at the NHL level but that’s not far off from the $525k he will earn in the AHL. As a small speedy scorer Barre-Boulet fits the mold of AHL star and indicated a replacement for Eagles leading scorer Matthew Phillips, who signed a deal with San Diego.


We’ve signed Alex Barré-Boulet to a one-year, two-way deal. pic.twitter.com/2ij5WXFfop

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 4, 2025

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...ning-flurries-landeskog-nominated-for-an-espy
 
Colorado Eagles have a new head coach

Columbus Blue Jackets Headshots

Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images

Mark Letestu arrives from the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

A major transaction occurred over the holiday weekend for the Colorado Eagles and that was a hire of their new head coach. To no one’s surprise, the Colorado Avalanche organization looked to their friends over at the Columbus Blue Jackets and nabbed their AHL assistant coach Mark Letestu for the promotion to bench boss in Loveland.


Ohio ✈️ Colorado

Welcome to #EaglesCountry Mark! pic.twitter.com/aiLFW4fPJI

— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) July 5, 2025

Letestu was a center who enjoyed an 11-year NHL career in which he amassed 567 games played at the highest level with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. Though he began his pro career in the Penguins organization, Letestu put down roots with Columbus and served as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters for the last four seasons.

Colorado Avalanche v Columbus Blue Jackets
Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images

The Colorado Eagles are no stranger to change as head coach Greg Cronin departed for the NHL two years ago. Now with Aaron Schneekloth in Seattle it is time for Letestu to leave his mark on the organization. The Eagles enjoyed their best regular season to date in the AHL but are still searching for the answer to more playoff success. The Monsters has similar results with Letestu as they went as far as to the third round of the playoffs in 2023-24.

Coincidentally, or not, Letestu would be familiar with new Avalanche prospect Gavin Brindley, who played for the Monsters last season. He was underutilized and only scored 17 points in 52 games so hopefully both come up with a plan to find a bit more success in Colorado.

Welcome to Eagles Country, Mark!

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025/7/8/24462650/colorado-eagles-have-a-new-head-coach-mark-letestu
 
Morning Flurries: Dave Hakstol appointed new assistant coach

Seattle Kraken v Colorado Avalanche - Game Seven

Photo by Christopher Mast/NHLI via Getty Images

Also, just how rich is the Kroenke empire?

It’s the time of the offseason to fill out organizational vacancies and the Colorado Avalanche completed a big piece of business in filling out their vacancy at assistant coach with the hiring of Dave Hakstol.


Details ⬇️ https://t.co/rurP7OCnOK

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 8, 2025

Hakstol has a long NHL resume, most recently as the head coach of the Seattle Kraken from 2021-2024 and in 2023 he was a Jack Adams award finalist for coach of the year when Seattle ousted the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the first round. The 56-year-old was also the bench boss of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015-2018. In between head coaching gigs Hakstol was an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019-2021.

Clearly Hakstol brings a wealth of coaching experience, which might inspire some fresh ideas or a little urgency among the existing coaching staff. Haksol’s power play results haven’t been the brightest with him at the helm but Toronto’s top six finish in 2021 especially with their offensive firepower might be a source of inspiration.

There has been another change for the Avalanche as Skills Coach Toby Petersen was hired by the Texas Stars as the head coach of the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate. Petersen was part of the Avalanche organization for two seasons and helped the players with many tasks such as injury recovery as well as skill development. Good luck in Texas, Toby!


The @DallasStars have appointed Toby Petersen Head Coach of the Texas Stars. Travis Morin, Max Fortunus, Ryan Daniels, and Josh Johnson will return to the team and join Petersen's coaching staff.

Join us in welcoming Toby back to Cedar Park!

More: https://t.co/hODBUy0kik pic.twitter.com/vtgKuDJ619

— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) July 7, 2025

And finally, CNBC released a report on the most valuable sports enterprises and Kroenke Sports and Entertainment tops the list, valued at over $21 Billion.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...es-dave-hakstol-appointed-new-assistant-coach
 
Can the Eagles replicate their success from last season?

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Ashley Potts/Colorado Eagles

The Colorado Eagles success hinges on what the Avalanche decide on their fourth line.

The Colorado Avalanche’s fourth line is currently quite uninspiring. The Avalanche have $4.12 million left in cap space and do not have a legitimate fourth line at the moment. This could be a major problem for their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, if they cannot fill those gaps. As in terms of the salary cap, every player on the fourth line could be less than one million cap hit, but the talent at the NHL level will not be there. This also leads to another question: can the Eagles replicate their success from last season?

The Avalanche have yet to fill the role of the fourth line for the 2025–25 season. This could lead to opportunities for two-way contract forwards to make a statement in the NHL. T.J. Tynan could have a chance for an extended call up with the Avalanche to start the season. He will start his 14th season as a pro and has 642 points in the AHL in 693 games. He appeared in nine games for the Avalanche last season, tallying only one assist. Nikita Prishchepov played 10 games for the Avalanche last season with no points. His rookie season fared much better with the Eagles as he racked up 23 points in 51 games. Ivan Ivan saw the most time of the three here with the Avalanche, playing 40 games. They sent him down to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his form, yet he only managed 12 points in 36 games thereafter.

That was nifty Nikita Prishchepov.@ColoradoEagles | #HSKvsCOL pic.twitter.com/p1apFQ1fXK

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 12, 2025

These three players would provide a mix of grit and speed to the fourth line along with a veteran presence from Tynan. Prishchepov is a heavy body that crashes the net and stays on the puck when he gets hit himself.

Could the Eagles replicate their success from last season? It depends on how long those three stay with the Avalanche. Tynan was fourth on the Eagles in overall points last season. His 41 assists became vital to the playmaking ability of the top line and the power play. Prishchepov provided that body on the ice that you always needed to look out for when you got the puck. He was going to hit you if you touched it. His Parker Kelly style of hockey became important later in the season for the boys in blue. Ivan was always a threat at the faceoff dot and could push the play forward, leading to play outside of his zone.

This is what happens when fans do the wave. Ivan Ivan scores his first of the playoffs with help from Bryan Yoon (second of the night). #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @HockeyMtnHighCO pic.twitter.com/059zg4YU6i

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) May 19, 2025

If you couple the absence of the three for the Eagles and new head coach Mark Letestu, it could be a rough start. There is always an adjustment period for any coach taking over a new team. He will bring more of an offensive mindset to the Eagles game as a former center where Aaron Schneekloth brought a defensive mindset as a former defenseman.

TJ Tynan converts on the PP for his second of the night and his third point tonight. Innala and Megna on the assists. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/q7xRg7y2pB

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 14, 2024

So the start of the season could be a little rough for the Eagles, especially with the Avalanche set to start on LTIR…again with Logan O’Connor’s expected absence. The series of call-ups could be harmful to start the season, but ultimately benefit Prishchepov and Ivan in the long run with more NHL experience. The Eagles will suffer with the call-ups and the Letestu will learn how the Avalanche operate quickly. So do not set the bar very high at the start of the season, Eagles’ fans. The ride could be bumpy.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...ir-success-from-last-season-and-make-playoffs
 
Avalanche extend Josh Manson through 2027-28

Philadelphia Flyers v Colorado Avalanche

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Avalanche future blue line is looking clearer.

One of the Colorado Avalanche’s most recognizable defensive stalwarts is staying in Denver.

Josh Manson signed a two-year contract extension with the Avalanche Thursday, securing his services through the 2027-28 NHL season, barring a future trade that he approves. The new deal carries an average annual value of $3.95 million, which is a slight discount from his current $4.5 million price tag.


The #GoAvsGo signed 33 y/o D Josh Manson to a 2 year $3.95M Cap Hit extension

12 team NTC year 1, 10 team NTC year 2

Rep’d by Ross Gurney RWGhttps://t.co/XPIQFZSWON

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 11, 2025

However, injuries have been an issue for Manson over the past few years The 33-year-old was limited to 48 games last season due to a series of upper and lower-body ailments. But when he’s not on the sidelines, he’s been one of Colorado’s most dependable and productive blueliners outside of Cale Makar and Devon Toews. His physicality and his pivotal offensive surges has been a cornerstone of the Avalanche defense since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks more than three years ago.

“Josh has been an integral part of our blue line since joining the team during our 2022 playoff push,” said General Manager Chris MacFarland in a statement. “He’s a rugged, reliable defender who contributes offensively in key moments. Beyond that, he brings invaluable veteran leadership to our locker room. We’re thrilled to have him with us for another three seasons.”

Despite missing a substantial portion of the regular season, Manson remained unwavering in his commitment to return to the ice. His perseverance and self-belief were rewarded when he appeared in all seven games of Colorado’s first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. He recorded three points during the series, including goals in each of the final two contests—demonstrating that his trademark resilience and competitive edge remain firmly intact.


Josh Manson, extended 2x$4M by COL, is a physical veteran defence-first defenceman. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/2VTNFv7vMG

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 10, 2025

Manson’s defining moment came during Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run, where he posted career highs in goals (3), assists (5), and points (8) across 20 postseason games—cementing his value as a playoff performer.

Though now older, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound blueliner remains a physical force, registering 443 hits since joining the Avalanche—more than any other player on the roster during that span. When healthy, he continues to be a difference-maker. With his extension now in place—and the recent addition of 2016-17 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns—Colorado’s blue line projects to be tougher, deeper, and more intimidating heading into next season.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...-avalanche-extend-josh-manson-through-2027-28
 
MHH Roundtable: Summer Checklist

Los Angeles Kings v Colorado Avalanche

Photo by Ashley Potts/NHLI via Getty Images

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.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025/7/12/24461704/mhh-roundtable-colorado-avalanche-summer-checklist
 
Morning Flurries: Details in new CBA explained

NHL: OCT 31 Kraken at Maple Leafs

Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Plus, the Florida Panthers’ day with the Stanley Cup are underway.

It was a momentous day when the NHL and NHLPA announced they had come to terms on a new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement and it has since been ratified by a player vote. The full Memo of Understanding has now been released and PuckPedia gathered the important changes together in an easy to understand recap.


We summarized key changes in the new CBA, including:

-New Min Salaries & Max ELC Comp
-Qualifying Offers
-Post deadline 4-recall rule
-Roster Emergency Exceptions (leads to cap charge next season)
-Perf Bonus Eligibility
-Double Retention

Details:https://t.co/JDOnlOQRZK

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 11, 2025

The Seattle Kraken provided a nice feature on their new assistant coach, Aaron Schneekloth and his long journey to a job behind an NHL bench.


New @SeattleKraken assistant Aaron Schneekloth has finally arrived at the @NHL level after nearly a quarter century as a player and coach, including 19 seasons with the @ColoradoEagles.

: @geoffbakernhl | https://t.co/ssbhug7osH pic.twitter.com/Q510hE0T8N

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) July 13, 2025

Etched in history. pic.twitter.com/PtVuBTB2x2

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 12, 2025

With the Stanley Cup now etched with its second group of champion Florida Panthers, it’s time for the individual Cup days to begin. Former Colorado Avalanche AJ Greer brings the glistening trophy home to Quebec, as he is the only player on the team from the Canadian province.


A.J. Greer of the @FlaPanthers is using his day with the @StanleyCup and his youth summer camp to benefit charities ⤵️https://t.co/uVD9BpFCPI

— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) July 13, 2025

Unfortunately it sounds like the NHL owners have voted against a draft format that doesn’t favor the players, media or fans again.


Reporting on this only because I’m a bit surprised by the outcome. Expect the NHL to give the Decentralized Draft model another try next year. Strong majority of GM’s voted in favour of the new status quo with some potential production tweaks to move the 1st round along.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 12, 2025

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...morning-flurries-details-in-new-cba-explained
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #8 Danil Gushchin

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Danil Gushchin

Age: 23

Position: LW/RW

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 173 lbs.

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles

2024 Rank: N/A

Final Rank: #8 (swap with Oskar Olausson)

High Rank: #6 (Adrian)

Low Rank: #10 (Ezra)

2024-25 Statistics:

San Jose Sharks – 12 GP: 0G, 1A, 1P

San Jose Barracuda – 56 GP: 28G, 23A, 51P (Playoffs – 4GP: 1G, 0A, 1P)

Danil Gushchin, was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche just a month ago in a flip of young wingers with the San Jose Sharks. He was a former 2020 third round pick by the Sharks who played who played out his three-year Entry Level Contract with the organization before getting moved. Gushchin slips into the eighth spot on our list by default to replace outgoing Oskar Olausson. Given Olausson’s struggles at the AHL level (26 points in 61 games last season), Gushchin may actually have ended up higher on the list had our panel been voting on him instead.

That said, Gushchin definitely has a lower ceiling than the former first round pick he is replacing. Due to his large frame and deadly shot, Olausson intrigued as a possible top six option whose offense could paper over the holes in his defensive game and a lack of intensity in his overall play. Gushchin is essentially the opposite player: A speedy, small playmaking forward who backchecks and defends with a grit that could earn him a look as a penalty kill/fourth line option in the NHL like most AHL veterans.

The size is a big drawback, as he simply doesn’t have the length or strength that are the hallmark of typical defensive forwards, but he makes up for it with a consistent motor and strong positioning. On top of that, Gushchin has found a way to contribute offense consistently at the AHL level, posting nearly a point per game over the last two seasons after scoring 45 points in 67 games in his first full season with the Barracuda. A large role on the power play certainly bolstered this production, though, with 28 of his 51 points in 2024-25 coming on the man advantage, contrast that with Olausson’s four power play points in the same season.

Unfortunately, that offense did not translate to the NHL for the 23-year-old Russian with the Sharks, who gave him only 18 games over three seasons in which he accumulated just five points. With a better Colorado team that features more capable bottom six forwards than those bottom-feeding Sharks team there is a chance Gushchin could find more offense if he earns a roster spot with his defense, but he most likely fits best on the Eagles as a replacement for the offense Matthew Phillips took with him to the San Diego Gulls. But, Gushchin will have to clear waivers to get to Loveland first.

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...do-avalanche-top-25-under-25-8-danil-gushchin
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #6 Trent Miner

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Trent Miner

Age: 24

Position: Goalie

Height: 6’ 1”

Weight: 185 lbs

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles

2024 Rank: #15

Final Rank: #6

High Rank: #4 (Ryan)

Low Rank: #8 (Ezra & Adrian)

2024-25 Statistics:

  • Colorado Eagles (38 GP, 2.12 GAA, .918 SV%, 3 SO)
  • Colorado Avalanche (2 GP, 2.62 GAA, .879 SV%, 0 SO)

Trent Miner has continued to grow and develop within the Colorado Avalanche system since he was drafted in 2019, in the 7th round. Since being drafted, Miner has spent most of his time playing with the Colorado Eagles and the Utah Grizzlies before finally earning his first NHL games including a start with the Avs this past season. Miner has continued to consistently grow and build upon his skill set, which has earned him a one-year contract extension and the third goaltender position in the organization. And as a result Miner has moved up our rankings this year from #15 to almost cracking the top five.

TRENT MINER! pic.twitter.com/W5BY8WZljO

— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) May 8, 2025

This upcoming season, Miner will probably be the first call-up option as a goaltender for the Avs when they’re in a pinch, just like he was for them this past season. Colorado’s goaltending duo is already set for this upcoming season with Makenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, which means that Miner will probably get very limited time with the Avs, if the NHL tandem stays healthy.

Miner played fine in his time with the Avs this past year, but it was also pretty clear that he isn’t NHL-ready quite yet with a save percentage under .900; that’s not meant as a dig a him whatsoever; that’s just the case. Even if he was NHL-ready, as previously mentioned, Colorado has their tandem for the upcoming season. However, that does mean that Miner has plenty more opportunities this upcoming season to continue to develop with the Eagles as their starter and build upon his performance from last season. Hopefully, Miner is able to do just that, and continues to develop into a solid goalie option for the Avs.

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

#8 Danil Gushchin

#7 Nikita Prishchepov

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...orado-avalanche-top-25-under-25-6-trent-miner
 
Cale Makar and the Burden of Brilliance

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In an era overflowing with elite talent, Cale Makar stands apart as a generational defenseman—already shaping his legacy as one of the greatest to ever redefine what’s possible from the blue line, and one whose presence Avalanche fans can consider a rare and cherished privilege.

At this juncture, anyone still requiring a reminder of Makar’s greatness is either willfully in denial or beyond the reach of persuasion. He is such an incredible talent that it seems as if he shatters a record with every passing season—perhaps because he truly does. In 2022, Makar became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to amass 200 career points, achieving the milestone in just 195 games and surpassing the previous record of 207 held by Sergei Zubov.

And he did not stop there—Makar proceeded to achieve yet another remarkable milestone, reaching 250 career points in just 241 games and surpassing the legendary Bobby Orr’s previous mark of 247. Less than a year after eclipsing Zubov’s record, he had done the same to Orr’s, further cementing his place among the all-time greats.

What is even more remarkable is that Makar stands alone as the only defenseman in the NHL since 2000 to record three seasons of 85 or more points.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the Hall of Fame blueliners who have graced the ice over the past quarter-century—and yet, it is only Makar who has achieved this feat. Nicklas Lidström, a seven-time Norris Trophy winner, never reached that plateau. Scott Niedermayer, a four-time Stanley Cup champion with two different teams, fell short. Erik Karlsson, despite three Norris Trophies, has not accomplished it either. Not even Quinn Hughes—though Vancouver fans may fervently hope otherwise—can claim this distinction, though Hughes posted 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) during the 2023–24 season, suggesting he may one day join this exclusive company. Hughes is, undeniably, an exceptional talent, yet the record remains Makar’s alone.

Of course, such comparisons may not be entirely equitable, for not every defenseman is a true dual threat. Moreover, those blueliners who excel in one dimension but lack all-around prowess are often overlooked for accolades—a slight that may be unjust, though, regrettably, the world is rarely fair.

Viewed through this lens, Avalanche fans should feel fortunate to have witnessed Makar’s brilliance over the past seven years (just not on TV), beginning with his highly anticipated debut in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. We are all guilty of losing sight of this at times. The pursuit of another Stanley Cup is always foremost in our minds, yet the dream can sometimes obscure the simple joy of observing—and the deep respect due to—these athletes each time they lace up their skates.

Makar Will Come Out Firing This Season

Consider, for a moment, what it would mean to inhabit Makar’s position. You are the cornerstone of a franchise, a player so integral to its identity that your departure is all but unimaginable. Over the past five seasons, you have twice claimed the Norris Trophy, for the league’s most outstanding defenseman, standing as a finalist in each of those years. You have captured a Stanley Cup, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most outstanding performer in the postseason. You have set franchise records for goals and assists as a defenseman. And yet now, amid this record of achievement, a subtle dissonance emerges. Your most recent postseason performance fell short of expectations, and murmurs of doubt have begun to circulate even among your own supporters. The fake missing-person posters that circulated during the playoffs were amusing from an outside perspective, yet for a player who has invested everything in the organization, such public mockery could reasonably provoke irritation.

History underscores that even the most prodigious athletes are not impervious to the fluctuations of performance. Wayne Gretzky, widely celebrated as the preeminent postseason performer in NHL history, was no exception. Over the course of 20 playoff campaigns, he accumulated 382 points, averaging roughly nineteen points per postseason. Yet during the 1992 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he managed a mere seven points—a striking deviation from seasons in which he routinely tallied thirty or more. Admittedly, the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated early that year, but even by Gretzky’s exceptional standards, there was a bit of regression. Were social media to have existed in that era, the ensuing deluge of commentary and criticism would have been both instantaneous and inescapable. One can only conjecture how Gretzky might have navigated such relentless scrutiny.

For Makar, as for Gretzky, the challenge lies not in avoiding criticism—an impossible task—but in transforming it into motivation. The capacity to internalize disappointment, to channel external noise into renewed focus and performance, is a hallmark of enduring greatness. It is a reminder that even the most celebrated athletes are human, and that resilience in the face of scrutiny often defines the trajectory of a career more than any single performance.

The criticism aimed at Makar by a vocal minority of fans recalls the treatment once endured by former boxing world champion Sergio Martínez. A late bloomer who rose to prominence in his thirties, Martínez established himself as one of the finest fighters of his generation. Yet, as age and injury inevitably eroded his edge, the veneer of invincibility faded. His knockout defeat to Miguel Cotto served as the moment when reality—long deferred—finally arrived.

Martínez himself articulated the isolation that followed. After victories, he was accustomed to hundreds of congratulatory texts and calls, his phone buzzing with the affirmation of friends, admirers, and distant acquaintances alike. But in defeat, the silence was deafening. Only a handful reached out, a reminder of how quickly the crowd disperses when the glow of success dims.

“When I lost my last fight against Miguel Cotto I had four missed calls. One was from an unknown number and the other three were from my mother. That put everything in its place.”

It is this fickleness—of fandom, of reputation, of public sentiment—that Makar now confronts, although it’s nowhere close to the brutality that boxers particularly face. Unlike one bad game, one rough night in the ring could ruin the entire trajectory of your life. The parallel is instructive: greatness can command awe, but it also attracts scrutiny, and when the slightest falter appears, some reveal themselves less as supporters than opportunists.

That said, Makar remains, fundamentally, a human being. It is almost certain that he witnessed the jokes, the memes, and the subtle (or not-so-subtle) questioning of his abilities. History has shown that extraordinary athletes confront such noise in one of two ways: some succumb to it, while others harness it, rising above the scrutiny and silencing the skeptics. Makar does not necessarily need to produce a transcendent season to affirm his greatness—his spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame is already secured. But he’s far from done. If one thought last year’s performance was remarkable, the 2025–26 season promises to offer an entirely new demonstration of his extraordinary talent and resolve.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/colo...57315/cale-makar-and-the-burden-of-brilliance
 
Why your favorite NHL team won’t win the Stanley Cup – Part Two

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After examining the impending failures for the Eastern Conference last week, let’s tee up the Western Conference’s trail of tears. Your team won’t win the Stanley Cup. You know how I know?

17. Anaheim Ducks

So when I said that the Flyers have the ugliest jerseys in the world, I hadn’t even thought of the orange eye soar out in Anaheim. You have some talent, but none of that talent wants to stick around. You’re not even the second-best hockey club in your state, but man, you’ve cashed in on the Mighty Ducks play from the ’90s. Unlike Charlie Conway and the gang, you don’t win, and your squad currently offers a quality vacation opportunity with a bit of hockey mixed in for visiting clubs. Where’s Gordon Bombay when you need him?

18. Calgary Flames

Calgary could have and didn’t draft Cale Makar, and that is why they won’t win a Stanley Cup. The Kid from Calgary was sitting right there in front of the Flames, but I guess they didn’t see enough. I bet they saw plenty when he joined the Avalanche in the 2019 playoffs and scored in his first pro appearance against Calgary in a series that Colorado would eventually win handily. Mistakes were made.

19. Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks landed the next Sidney Crosby when they drafted Connor Bedard. Except not really, as his stock drops faster than the value of his one-of-a-kind hockey card. Is he talented? No doubt. He and the Blackhawks won’t win the Stanley Cup because cup runs come from a balance of young, affordable talent and savvy veteran leadership. Instead of opting for an affordable and savvy approach, the Blackhawks continue to attract slow and steady spectators around Bedard. This team somehow feels further from another winning era despite drafting “the next generational talent” in Bedard.

20. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup because, despite what Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic think, they aren’t close enough to have traded away all of their worth while assets and young promising prospects. Based on what’s been dealt since 2022, the Avalanche should have won again already, and the fact that they haven’t points to some mismanagement. Currently, the Avalanche are missing a whole line’s worth of NHL-caliber players, and they don’t have much to leverage to bring in more. Right now, the Avalanche feel like the buddy you went with to the casino who won’t stop going to the ATM for more cash despite losing an ungodly amount on roulette (a.k.a the Dallas Stars). I guess we pop in another Zyn and watch the money burn.

This is the Colorado Avalanche. They have an elite 1st line, a strong top 6, a top 5 defense, a top 10 goalie duo, and a very good 4th line. Their defect is that they can't get past Dallas https://t.co/PUrjhrtUTH pic.twitter.com/5LyHZ6eMG4

— bamboozle (@ibamboozIe) August 15, 2025

21. Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars and their fans want to be the Colorado Avalanche so bad that they decided to take on the burden of paying Mikko Rantanen $12 million to go ghost when it matters. Beating the Avalanche in the playoffs will prove the most glorious achievement in Dallas Stars history. I’ll put it down like Uncle Junior. They don’t have the makings of a varsity athlete. But hey, at least they beat their dad that one time! Maybe Matt Duchene can sing you a little ditty while your team rides off into obscurity.

22. Edmonton Oilers

Conor McDavid has essentially been deemed the “best player in the world,” but still has nothing to show for it. Unless you count that pitiful Conn Smythe in a losing effort as an achievement. I’m honestly shocked the league didn’t give him another participation trophy for getting back to the finals. Makes sense, though, considering he was a no-show after guaranteeing a win against the Florida Panthers in game five of this year’s cup series. The Oilers won’t end Canada’s cupless era because good goaltending matters. Shocker.

Yes, we are THAT deep in the offseason. pic.twitter.com/S94WV86Fqa

— BarDown (@BarDown) August 18, 2025

23. Los Angeles Kings

Okay, you might be the best team in your state, but your state offers the worst hockey in North America. You won’t win the cup because Will Ferrell shall not watch his team win another championship until he puts out another classic comedy. LA’s hockey team is just like their city, a perfectly fake smile. They look like a good team, play like a good team, but ultimately, there’s no real substance behind the look.

24. Minnesota Wild

The Wild are living up to my least favorite backhanded nickname, “the mild.” They have Karill Kaprisov, and he’s legit, but he misses games like Joel Embiid and can’t carry the team. The State of Hockey has officially moved to Colorado, and the Wild doesn’t seem to be putting up much of a fight. Rugged look for a team that at one point knee-to-kneed their way past a young Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche and ended Patrick Roy’s career. Much like Dallas, Minnesota’s claim to fame comes from beating the real studs of the Central Division but not from actualizing any true championship pedigree.

25. Nashville Predators

Money can’t buy you happiness, and it also can’t buy you a winning hockey team. Nashville won’t hoist this season because management went full Daddy’s credit card but threw money at the wrong things. Superteams don’t work, but I don’t even think Nashville is all that super. Super old, maybe. I hear Milan Lucic is looking for a gig. Or maybe Jagr will come out of retirement.

26. San Jose Sharks

LOL

27. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken crushed their brand, but the hockey has played out a lot like Marshawn Lynch’s pronunciation of their expansion picks. Lack of preparation and identity still grip the team that isn’t even the NHL’s baby anymore. Kraken won’t win the cup because they overpaid for Phillip Grubauer, expecting him to be a top performer, but instead got just okay. We could have told you that. If only the other teams hadn’t learned from the monster they created in Vegas, or Seattle had made an effort to replicate that. Instead, they decided to start as a modest and unimpressive hockey club.

Marshawn Lynch announcing the Seattle Kraken’s draft pick is amazing 😂 pic.twitter.com/Nd8eQfY9P7

— Athlete Swag (@AthleteSwag) July 22, 2021

28. St. Louis Blues

The Blues won’t win a Stanley Cup because they are more interested in bottles. Jordan Binnington is one outburst away from having 1,000 too many and will likely retire a one-hit-wonder who played well in the world championship for Team Canada. The rest of the roster is a who’s who of nobodies in the NHL. Funny thing is, Greg Wyshynski called the Avalanche bland in 2022, but the Blues in 2025 eat like a potato pancake.

29. Utah Mammoth

Speaking of modest and unimpressive, the Mammoth squandered their brand and looks like an NHL 26 World of Chel squad that some 14-year-old conceptualized in 20 minutes between his second and third Mountain Dew. The colors are bland and meaningless; the Mammoth name comes a year too late and isn’t an improvement on Utah Hockey Club. They might not be called the Arizona Coyotes anymore, but that’s still who they are at their core, and so, they will win nothing!

First look at the Utah Mammoth in NHL26 🦣👀 pic.twitter.com/NbNFenJCEe

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 6, 2025

30. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are more likely to be relocated than to win hockey’s most coveted prize. They may have the game’s second-best defender, but beyond that, all I see is turmoil. Elias Petterson and his feelings don’t win hockey games, but then again, neither do the Vancouver Canucks, so I guess that’s a match made in heaven?

31. Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas won’t win the Stanley Cup because they can’t hide their most expensive contracts in LTIR, and the hockey gods never forget. What they did to Marc Andre Fluery, one of the league’s most prized personalities and players, should go down in history as one of the most classless moves in sports history. To cast aside a legend in such a manner has them in the red as far as I’m concerned. Just like the city they play in, this squad is all smoke, mirrors, and pretend big numbers.

Three-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is headed to the Chicago Blackhawks after agreeing to a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, sources told @emilymkaplan on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/3LLYgRzLD5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 27, 2021

32. Winnipeg Jets

The NHL’s pretenders. You had the best season in franchise history last year, and wouldn’t you know it, Connor Hellebuyck turned back into Swiss cheese when the playoff lights came back on. They won’t win the cup because I can’t imagine them icing a better team than the one they did last season, and that still wasn’t enough. The team, at least, isn’t as cold and lifeless as the city they play in!

There you have it, folks, that’s why your team won’t win. Doctors recommend you take this article with a grain of salt and a dose of humor, as it is meant to be lighthearted and fun. If you are triggered and choose to screenshot or share my comments, please tag me and call me out appropriately!

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/nhl-...te-nhl-team-wont-win-the-stanley-cup-part-two
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #5 Sean Behrens

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Sean Behrens

Age: 22

Position: Defense (L)

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 176 lbs.

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles

2024 Rank: #5

Final Rank: #5

High Rank: #2 (Brennan)

Low Rank: #8 (Jackie, Ryan)

2024-25 Statistics:

Did Not Play Due to Injury

Coming in at number five on our Top 25 Under 25, holding steady despite an entire missed year, is defenseman Sean Behrens. One of this organization’s most lauded youthful defenders, he finally received an opportunity during the prior season…almost.

Sean Behrens with the assist on the OT winner for DU! #GoAvsGo #GoPios pic.twitter.com/z6uwvXHz8f

— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) April 12, 2024

Behrens is an offensive defenseman who is great at moving the puck. Prior to the unfortunate last season (which we will discuss in a moment), he spent three seasons at the University of Denver. There he would help the Pioneers win two championships in three seasons. Behrens would win several awards while attending DU, which included the NCHC All-Rookie Team and NCHC Defenseman of the Year. All this was after the Colorado Avalanche had drafted Behrens in the second round of the 2021 draft.

AND THE PIOS CONNECT!

Tic-Tac-Goal by Sean Behrens to give DU a 3-0 advantage.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/HWdc7Lj8qN

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 3, 2024

Behrens, despite being small in stature, did not let that stop him during his collegiate career. He was recognized equally for delivering blows as for enduring them. In 112 contests with the Pioneers, Behrens finished with 10 goals and 71 assists. The eye-popping stat for him was his plus-45 before deciding to turn pro.

Sean Behrens (#GoAvsGo) with a thunderous open-ice hit on Macklin Celebrini pic.twitter.com/8MMFekaXQG

— J.D. Burke (on bsky) (@JDylanBurke) April 11, 2024

After his junior year with DU, Behrens decided it was time to turn pro and signed his entry-level contract with the Avalanche. Colorado immediately assigned him to the AHL Colorado Eagles on an amateur tryout agreement. It did not take long for Behrens to get comfortable at the professional level during his pro debut on April 20, 2024. He would help on a Peter Holland goal to tally his first point.

During training camp last fall, Behrens was fighting for a puck in the corner during a scrimmage and tore his ACL. It forced him to miss the entire season for the Eagles (72 regular season and nine playoff games). He stayed with the Eagles and rehab his knee and began skating right before the playoffs ended.

The Barrington, Illinois, native will be a key part of the Eagles’ defensive core this upcoming season. He unfortunately has not played in any games since April 26, 2024, so there may be an adjustment period for the American. If the Avalanche’s blue line suffers injuries, Behrens might finally debut in the NHL this season.

"I just can’t wait to get back and play hockey again, just get back to doing what I love.” Sean Behrens#Avs #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/wfERpxhBIU

— Hockey Mountain High (@HockeyMtnHighCO) August 25, 2025

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

#8 Danil Gushchin

#7 Nikita Prishchepov

#6 Trent Miner

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...rado-avalanche-top-25-under-25-5-sean-behrens
 
NHL 26: The Sequel to the Sequel to the Patch That Never Came

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NHL 26 is coming out in about two weeks, but don’t get too excited just yet.

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EA is basically that Tinder date whose entire bio is just humblebrags wrapped in gym selfies. Yes, they’ve got a body sculpted by algorithms, eyes like that viral mugshot guy who accidentally became a Calvin Klein fantasy, and a wellness routine so optimized it makes them look like a prime Zac Efron.

But here’s what EA doesn’t put in the glossy trailer: underneath the swagger and the six-pack, there’s some unresolved trauma — and more than a few performance issues when it counts.

At the core of EA Sports’ identity crisis is its engine: Frostbite. This thing was never built for sports games. It was engineered for first-person shooters. like Battlefield — games where blowing up a wall is a feature, not a glitch. Frostbite was made for environmental destruction, not precision passing or footwork algorithms.

The Gameplay Engine Is Not Built to Handle Sports Games

The result? No sports-specific tools, no optimized pipelines — just brute-force adaptation. Former EA developers have gone on record saying they had to build everything from scratch. And while that sounds innovative on paper, it’s more like trying to bake a cake with a grenade launcher.

Picture this: you’re a surgeon, and a patient is wheeled in for brain surgery. You open the toolkit and realize something’s very wrong.

“Doctor, those aren’t neurosurgical tools.”
“No, they’re not,” you reply grimly. “They’re… for foot surgery.”

But EA MediPrime shrugs:
“Sorry, that’s the kit. And you’ve got an exclusive contract with us until 2028. Best of luck.”

Our Top 10 players in NHL 26 🎮 pic.twitter.com/QzI3ESIIUc

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 27, 2025

So, yes. The gameplay, if you watch the trailers and the deep dives very closely, are very much the same. However, the puck movement is more realistic. Wow. That would be like Madden, in their next game, touting improved ball trajectory as a feature. That is quite literally the bare minimum. Star players are going to skate like themselves. Incredible. It’s like a billion dollar company should be expected to use their resources and budget to make the game more realistic. After all, they do have the simulation license.

EA appears to be reintroducing pre-game presentation elements to Be A Pro mode — and one can reasonably assume they’ll appear in quick play as well. These atmospheric flourishes aim to give each arena a sense of personality.

For instance, if you’re playing for the San Jose Sharks, players now skate onto the ice through the gaping, fog-belching jaws of a massive shark head — because subtlety is for expansion teams without branding.

The Washington Capitals get their own brand of theatrics, entering the rink with crimson lighting, dense fog, and a towering digital eagle flexing on the scoreboard like it’s auditioning for a Marvel reboot.

And then there are the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose pre-game sequence bathes Scotiabank Arena in soft blue lighting while grainy nostalgia reels from 1967 play across the jumbotron — a gentle reminder that the franchise’s last meaningful moment is now eligible for a senior discount at Taco Bell. Okay, that last sentence was a joke — but alas, so are EA’s attempts to resell you old features.

NHL 26 also pushes an improved media feature where you answer questions from reporters that may or may not impact your future progression or your relationship with your teammates, only this system was actually ported over from UFC 5. If you look at it closely enough, you will see it’s the same thing for the most part. That’s not a problem, though. It’s smart to work with other developers on your team to make a better game. The issue arises when such a modest adaptation is marketed as a groundbreaking leap forward. For veterans like myself, who have followed the NHL series since the late ’90s, this kind of rebranding rings hollow — particularly when it’s used to justify spending an additional $70 for a slightly polished roster update.

Take NHL 23, which proudly touted the return of improved pre-game presentation by bringing back the national anthem — a feature that quietly vanished about 24 years ago and then re-emerged like a long-lost uncle at Thanksgiving, now rebranded as “new.” Except this time, it was limited in scope, inconsistent across teams, and often just didn’t show up at all. It’s not an isolated case. Madden 26 reintroduced the beloved weekly recap show, which hadn’t appeared since 2011. Sounds promising — until you realize it only recaps three games. Not the week. Not the full slate. Just… three.

This is the EA playbook: take a feature that fans loved, strip it for parts, then reintroduce it years later with great fanfare — but somehow, less functionality than before. It’s like getting back together with an ex, only to realize they’ve forgotten your birthday and now charge microtransactions for therapy So if these latest “improvements” to pre-game presentation turn out to be underwhelming, well — act surprised if you must, but don’t pretend you weren’t warned.

But hey, pricey pond hockey is finally gone after five years.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/gene...el-to-the-sequel-to-the-patch-that-never-came
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25 #4 Gavin Brindley

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Gavin Brindley

Age: 20

Position: Right Wing

Height: 5’8

Weight: 173 lbs.

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles

2024 Rank: #N/A

Final Rank: #4

High Rank: #4 (Multiple)

Low Rank: #6 (Jess)

2024-25 Statistics:

Cleveland Monsters – 52 GP: 6G, 11A, 17P

Lost in The Athletic ranking the Colorado Avalanche’s prospect pool at 32nd and dead last in the NHL was the fact that the media outlet placed Gavin Brindley as the organization’s top prospect. As basically the only remaining asset from the Bowen Byram trade through the move of Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus, it is impetitive that the organization views the soon-to-be 21-year-old highly if they want to add talent and value back to their roster. As such, we have generously ranked Brindley at fourth as a prospect who should have impact to the organization but we aren’t quite ready to declare him our top player under 25 just yet.

Brindley was the 34th overall selection for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round of the 2023 draft out of Michigan. There he has a successful freshman year in which he put up 38 points in 41 games, which certainly helped his draft stock. It was his season following the draft which gave Brindley a considerable amount of hype as he led Michigan in scoring with 53 points and 25 goals in 40 games. He was named Big 10 Player of the Year and Big Ten Scoring Champion for putting up 29 points in 23 conference games. At the conclusion of his sophomore season in college Columbus signed Brindley and burned a year of his Entry Level Contract to give him one NHL game at the end of that 2023-24 season.

The international stage is where Brindley shined as well. He won bronze with team USA at the World Junior Championship in 2023 prior to the NHL draft and then was a star on the 2024 gold medal winning team. With six goals and ten points in seven games Brindley was tied for fourth in tournament scoring and named one of the top three players on team USA. The winger was even invited to the join the men’s team for the World Championship that spring where he scored a goal in five games.

Considering all this set up Brindley to hit the ground running when his pro career began last season, to then score only 17 points in the AHL and receive zero NHL games was a massive disappointment to say the least. A training camp injury didn’t help but he was back in the Cleveland Monsters lineup by Thanksgiving and still played in 52 AHL contests. A tally of only five power play points shows he wasn’t given a large role on the man advantage and it is difficult for players to score in that league without a significant offensive role. Still, it surely wasn’t the season either party wanted to see and probably why Brindley was given a fresh start with a new organization before it was too late.

Where does Brindley go from here? Was he just an undersized and overhyped prospect coming out of a dream college season who was exposed playing the pro game? Or is he a top talent who was marginalized into a lesser role and never given a chance to shine, particularly at the highest level? The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle but the Avalanche will have to be proactive if they want to change the storyline of Brindley’s career. If they expect miracles in the AHL in a similar role, it’s a quick year to the end of Brindley’s ELC next summer.

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

#8 Danil Gushchin

#7 Nikita Prishchepov

#6 Trent Miner

#5 Sean Behrens

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...do-avalanche-top-25-under-25-4-gavin-brindley
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #3 Ivan Ivan

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Ivan Ivan

Age: 23

Position: Center

Height: 6’0

Weight: 190 lbs.

Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles/Avalanche

2024 Rank: #11

Final Rank: #3

High Rank: #2 (Adrian)

Low Rank: #6 (Brennan)

2024-25 Statistics:

Colorado Avalanche – 40 GP: 5G, 3A, 8P

Colorado Eagles – 36 GP: 2G, 10A, 12P

One of the biggest surprises in the 2024-25 season was Ivan Ivan not only making the Colorado Avalanche opening night roster but playing in 40 NHL games in the first half of the season, and that is reflected in our ranking of the 23-year-old center at the third spot on our list. Due to the number of injuries on the Avalanche roster he was even entrusted with third line duty and didn’t look out of place especially with eight points of production and a little pop of offense on the second power play unit. At one point Jared Bednar declared Ivan was a “NHL player” and strong analytics backed that up.

Then the Avalanche decided to remake their roster and paired Ivan with the literal worst player in the NHL by expected goals (22.68%) in Givani Smith. A minor injury gave the Avalanche the excuse to send Ivan to the Colorado Eagles even as he still had a 51.49% expected goals after his run on the fourth line with sub-replacement level players. Ivan wasn’t as productive as one would have hoped in Loveland with just 12 points in 36 games. Part of it was getting used to the lack of structure in the AHL, surely some loss of confidence but also a diminished offensive role on the Eagles with minimal power play opportunity played a part as well.

So to say this upcoming season is pivotal for Ivan is an understatement. He will be in the final year of his Entry Level Contract after three years in the organization. Considering the amount of NHL experience Ivan already has and the level of versatility and defensive acumen he can provide in a bottom six role, he should be a strong candidate to graduate to the NHL by the end of the season. If Colorado’s goal is to remake the bottom lines with rentals and trades in the second half of the year again that opportunity might not be there for Ivan, which is the greatest concern and question for him heading into the 2025-26 season.

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

#8 Danil Gushchin

#7 Nikita Prishchepov

#6 Trent Miner

#5 Sean Behrens

#4 Gavin Brindley

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...olorado-avalanche-top-25-under-25-3-ivan-ivan
 
Avalanche Rookie Camp Roster Revealed

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With just over a week until the Colorado Avalanche rookies convene at Family Sports Center, the roster for the one-day camp practice and two rookie showcase games has been revealed.

The roster for Rookie Tournament is set ✅ pic.twitter.com/RP0sIMJz7m

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 2, 2025

It is a small group of 14 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies scheduled to be part of the group, just enough to field a team for those two tournament games. Power forward Taylor Makar has been skating in a non-contact jersey and is unavailable to participate on ice. Defenseman Sean Behrens seems ready to go after missing all last year with injury. It’s interesting two forwards who played pro with the Colorado Eagles all season in Chase Bradley and Nikita Prishchepov are expected to attend but the newly signed Zakhar Bardakov is not.

The brief rookie camp practice will be held at Family Sports Center at 10:30am on Thursday, September 11th in preparation for the two-game rookie tournament slate. Both games will be hosted by the South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch. The Avalanche rookies play Utah on Friday, September 12th at 6 p.m. and then face Vegas on Sunday, September 14th at 1 p.m. Main camp kicks off back at Family Sports Center on Thursday, September 18th at 9 a.m. See you there!

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/prospects-in-the-pipeline/57619/avalanche-rookie-camp-roster-revealed
 
Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #2 Mikhail Gulyayev

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The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Name: Mikhail Gulyayev

Age: 20

Position: Defenseman (L)

Height: 5’ 11”

Weight: 183 lbs

Likely 2025-26 Team: Avangard Omsk

2024 Rank: #2

Final Rank: #2

High Rank: #2 (Jackie, Jess, Ezra, & Ryan)

Low Rank: #3 (Adrian & Brennan)

2024-25 Statistics:

  • Avangard Omsk (67 GP, 7 G, 8 A)
    • Playoffs (13 GP, 1 G, 2 A)
  • Omskie Yastreby (0 GP, 0 G, 0 A)
    • Playoffs (4 GP, 0 G, 3 A)

Mikhail Gulyayev has been the unanimous top defenseman prospect for the Colorado Avalanche since he was drafted at 31st overall back in 2023, and for good reason. Gulyayev is very much an offensive-minded defenseman, similar to a lot of the guys in Colorado’s defensive core. Knowing that he’s an extremely skilled skater on top of that, it’s not hard to see why Colorado’s front office likes him a lot, and why the Avalanche fan base also thinks very highly of him. It is also why the 20-year-old has held steady on our ranking at the second position.

While it’s very premature to call Gulyayev a “mini Makar”, that’s probably the best and simplest way to describe his play style. As previously mentioned, Gulyayev is very much an offensive-minded defenseman who loves to use his speed to attack off the rush and through the neutral zone, similarly to Makar. He’s also got a pretty wicked shot for a defenseman as evidenced by his seven goals last season in the KHL, which is also Makar-esque.

There’s plenty of reason to be excited about Gulyayev and what he could turn into for the Avalanche later down the line. He is getting closer to coming over to North America and joining the Avs’ pipeline, but the exact timeline is still unknown. The defenseman has the skill that he has shown at this point is incredibly promising but how eager the Avalanche are to put him in the lineup remains to be seen. Gulyayev looks to be a perfect fit for the Colorado Avalanche, and hopefully, he can continue to grow as a player over the next few years and earn an NHL spot later down the road.

2025 Top 25 Under 25​


#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner

#12 Taylor Makar

#11 Zakhar Bardakov

#10 Chase Bradley

#9 Matt Stienburg

#8 Danil Gushchin

#7 Nikita Prishchepov

#6 Trent Miner

#5 Sean Behrens

#4 Gavin Brindley

#3 Ivan Ivan

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/2025...-avalanche-top-25-under-25-2-mikhail-gulyayev
 
Jack Drury Primed for Career-Best Campaign

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Jack Drury has been a man possessed this offseason.

And he has every reason to be. The 25-year-old Drury enters the final year of a contract that pays him $1.725 million. With a pay raise as a Restricted Free Agent looming at season’s end, every shift, every touch of the puck becomes an audition for greater compensation. Based on his performance during Tuesday morning’s optional skate at Family Sports Center, Drury left little doubt about his value. On the ice, he demonstrated the skill, poise, and competitiveness that suggest he is more than ready to play a pivotal role for the Avalanche this upcoming season.

Drury Was On Fire

From the moment he stepped onto the ice, Drury played with the force and inevitability of a locomotive. Newly-acquired forward Victor Olofsson wasted little time making an impression of his own, threading a perfectly timed pass that Drury converted with a blistering one-timer, the puck snapping into the back of the net with authority.

If that opening strike set the tone, his next opportunity cemented it. This time it was Nikita Prishchepov—who logged 10 games with the Avalanche last season—providing the setup from behind the net. Drury read the play seamlessly, drifting into the right slot and releasing another decisive shot, and it was a scintillating one indeed.

And he wasn’t just scoring goals, either. Drury was penetrating the defensive zone setting up beautiful passes for his teammates, including Prishchepov, and while this particular play didn’t result in a goal, it exhibited Drury’s offensive creativity and puck control.

Drury would strike again in a masterful sequence, snapping a shot from the left circle into the net and punctuating the moment with an exuberant, “Woooo!”

Naturally, there will be those who dismiss Drury’s effort in this skate. It’s just practice, they’ll say, reducing the significance of the moment to something fleeting, inconsequential. And yes, on paper, it is just practice. No score will be recorded, no standings altered. Yet for Drury, it carries weight.

The value lies not in the official tally but in the lived experience. For a young athlete, practice is less rehearsal than crucible. Consider a boxing prospect, deep in training camp, sparring a former world champion. The bout doesn’t appear on their professional records, but the lessons absorbed in those moments prove transformative. The same principle applies here: the hidden work, the repetitions, the private battles against higher competition—these are the quiet accelerants of development.

It is in practices, in offseason labor, in the sweat that never meets the spotlight, where much of an athlete’s true growth occurs. These are the chapters of the story the public rarely sees, but without them, the triumphs on the biggest stages would never be possible.

Jack Drury one-times a shot from Victor Olofsson and it’s a goal. @MileHighHockey #goavsgo pic.twitter.com/zNV7EOfgjn

— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) September 2, 2025

Drury Wants to Honor His Family’s Legacy

Equally important is understanding who Jack Drury is and the legacy that precedes him. His father, Ted Drury, enjoyed eight seasons in the NHL, while his uncle, Chris Drury, not only captured a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche but now serves as the general manager of the New York Rangers. Jack has chosen to wear the same number—#18—that his uncle donned during Colorado’s 2001–02 season, signaling both homage and ambition.

For a player with such lineage, stepping onto the ice in an Avalanche uniform carries stakes far beyond personal statistics or contractual ambitions. This is a young athlete asserting his own identity while honoring a family legacy, motivated not merely by professional advancement but by a desire to sustain and elevate his family’s honor within the sport of hockey. Jack Drury is, in every sense, a fighter: measured, disciplined, and resolutely determined to leave his own mark on hockey’s storied narrative.

Last season, Drury tallied 18 points—eight goals and 10 assists—across 72 games split between two teams, including the Hurricanes, who traded him to Colorado as part of the Mikko Rantanen deal. His most productive NHL campaign came in 2023–24 with Carolina, when he posted 27 points, comprised of eight goals and 19 assists, over 74 games. In 31 career playoff appearances, Drury has added 10 points, including two goals and eight assists.

Upon his arrival in Colorado, Drury initially assumed the role of third-line center, albeit briefly, before the Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson and moved Casey Mittelstadt to the Bruins in exchange for Charlie Coyle. Despite this shift, Drury distinguished himself as a fourth-line center, demonstrating skill and adaptability for the position. With Coyle now a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Drury has been afforded the most significant opportunity of his professional career: the potential to anchor Colorado’s third line permanently—contingent, of course, upon his continued presence with the team.

The trade involving Rantanen ignited a spectrum of reactions among both the roster and the fanbase. Any animosity that may or may not have been directed at Drury in the aftermath has, presumably, been tempered by the offseason’s passage. Should he approach the forthcoming season with the same vigor and enthusiasm displayed in recent skates, there is every reason to anticipate that this campaign could be his best yet.

Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/colo...30/jack-drury-primed-for-career-best-campaign
 
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