Adam Beckman has turned an injury opening into a real opportunity for the Colorado Eagles.
With captain Jayson Megna out recovering from facial surgery, Beckman has stepped into a bigger role and hasn’t looked out of place. The winger has even been used at center on the top line, skating between Tristen Nielsen, Taylor Makar and Vinnie Hinostroza. For a player who started the season as more of a depth name, that is a pretty strong sign of trust.
The Eagles and Avalanche were looking to fill the void left by Alex Barre-Boulet, who put up 70 points for Colorado last season but could have been a call-up candidate if not for a slow start. Beckman was brought in on July 1st on a two-year, two-way deal after posting 51 points for the Bridgeport Islanders, and the Avalanche had already seen the San Jose Sharks sign Barre-Boulet.
Through six games, Beckman has answered the call with three goals, which ties him with Makar for the team lead. But the bigger eye-opener has been his shot volume.
He has 24 shots on goal, while Nielsen is next on the team with 16. The Saskatoon native has found space quickly and released the puck before defenders can close.
He’s also doing that work low in the zone, where the Eagles need a steady threat while Megna is sidelined.
Beckman is still only 25 and has just 23 NHL games on his résumé, all with the Minnesota Wild. He has three assists at the NHL level, but his start in Colorado could put him back in the conversation for another shot.
If he keeps scoring and keeps handling the center role, the Avalanche may not have much choice. Injuries happen, and with this team, that reality is impossible to ignore, which means Beckman could very well be in Denver later this year.
In Other News...
Avalanche Fans Have A New Reason To Watch Toronto Closely
The trade market is starting to heat up around one of Colorados future assets, and the Maple Leafs are right in the middle of it. Toronto is reportedly willing to pay a premium price to land an impact defenseman, with the conversation centered on pieces that could include the Avalanches 2027 first-round pick or top prospects. For a Colorado team that has already seen its draft capital become part of bigger league-wide discussions, that kind of buzz is worth monitoring closely.
One name being floated in those talks is Easton Cowan, the kind of prospect Toronto would have to consider moving if it wants to swing big. At the same time, Nashville has also been involved in conversations about defenseman Brady Skjei, whose contract and lack of trade protection make him a player to watch as teams search for help on the blue line. For Avalanche fans, the intrigue is less about Torontos shopping list than about how far the market could stretch and what it might mean for Colorados future assets. [Read more 🡒]
Megnas Return Gives Colorado A Boost Fans Will Notice
Jayson Megna gave the Colorado Eagles exactly the kind of lift that tends to matter in the middle of a season grind, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over the Bakersfield Condors and finishing it off with the game-winner. The veteran forwards return was one of the cleaner storylines of the night, and it came with Colorado getting contributions in the other key areas too, as the Eagles cashed in on special teams and kept the pressure on from start to finish.
Ilya Nabokov backed it up in net with 34 saves on 35 shots to move to 4-1-0, giving Colorado the kind of steadiness that can make a lineup feel deeper than it looks on paper. Bakersfield tried to reset its crease by turning from Connor Ungar to Nathan Day during the game, but the Eagles never let the shift change the rhythm, and Megnas presence was the kind of boost fans will notice again if it carries over. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Top Line Finally Looked Like A Problem Again
For much of the night at Ball Arena, the Avalanches top line looked like the version that can tilt a game by itself. Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Artturi Lehkonen combined for nine points in a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, with MacKinnon finishing with a goal and three assists as Colorados offense found a familiar rhythm. The power play also chipped in once, and MacKenzie Blackwood backed it up with 31 saves to help the Avalanche keep control.
There were still a few rough edges, though, which is where this one gets more interesting for Colorado. The penalty kill had its issues, and a controversial late sequence added some noise to a night that otherwise felt like a step toward getting the teams most dangerous trio rolling again. If the Avalanche are going to lean into that kind of top-end firepower, theyll still want the rest of the details cleaned up behind it. [Read more 🡒]