The numbers looked filthy on paper. The finish, though, was the same kind of punch to the gut Avalanche fans have seen too many times before.
In The Hockey News’ late Thursday simulation for NHL 27, Colorado rolled through the regular season with a 58-24-2 record and 116 points. That kind of year would put the Avalanche right back in the league’s elite tier, even if it still wasn’t enough to repeat as Presidents’ Trophy winners. That distinction went to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the simulation.
Then came the crash.
Colorado was bounced in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a seven-game battle with the Chicago Blackhawks, turning a dominant regular season into another early exit.
The Avalanche were stacked with individual success along the way. Nathan MacKinnon captured the Art Ross Trophy for the first time in his career and added his second straight Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, finishing with 55 goals and 61 assists for 116 points. Martin Necas kept the big production rolling after last season’s 100-point breakout, putting up 26 goals and 81 assists for 106 points.
Cale Makar added another major award to his resume, winning his third Norris Trophy after a 12-goal, 84-assist, 96-point season. Brock Nelson was a steady force as well, scoring 28 goals and adding 44 assists for 72 points, only three points off his career high of 75.
Artturi Lehkonen contributed 20 goals, and the simulation had Colorado making another familiar move at the trade deadline by adding Vladimir Tarasenko.
The roster also got a boost from some old names showing up in a big way. Nazem Kadri turned in a throwback season with 35 goals and 87 points. Gabe Landeskog scored 21 goals, and Sam Malinski continued to take steps forward with a 47-point campaign.
So yes, the Avalanche simulation was loaded with production, awards, and enough talent to make a deep run. But in the end, it still ended the same way: another disappointing postseason finish.
In Other News...
Avalanche Have A Costly Discipline Problem Fans Cant Ignore
The Avalanches edge last season came with a pricey downside. A study by Casino.org found Colorado paid $369,840 to players for time spent in the penalty box, the second-highest total in the league, after the club piled up 372.6 shorthanded minutes across 221 infractions.
What makes the bill sting even more is that the penalty kill was still one of the teams strengths, with Colorado allowing just 17 power play goals, a number that landed in the bottom third of the league. So the issue was not only the damage opponents could do on the man advantage, but the simple cost of constantly giving them the chance. [Read more 🡒]
Cale Makar Gives Avalanche Fans A Reason To Worry Before Opening Night
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There has been no official word confirming an injury, and the uncertainty has only fueled questions about whether this is a minor issue or simply a careful ramp-up after his contract extension. For a team built around Makars presence at full speed, even a brief absence is enough to make fans pay close attention. [Read more 🡒]
Ilya Nabokov Now Carries A Huge Avalanche Future Question
Colorados prospect picture is still being sorted out heading into the 2026-27 season, and Ilya Nabokov sits right at the center of it. The 23-year-old goalie was ranked No. 1 in Mile High Hockeys list of the top 25 Avalanche prospects under 25 as of Sept. 1, 2026, a nod to both his track record and the organizations belief that he can become a major piece down the line. For now, the expectation is that hell spend the season with the Colorado Eagles, giving the Avalanche a closer look at how his game translates from the KHL to North American ice.
What makes Nabokov so intriguing is also what makes his path so uncertain. Goaltenders can look promising on paper and still need time to adjust to the smaller rink, the pace, and the different demands that come with life in this part of the game. Colorado clearly sees enough there to place him at the top of its prospect rankings, but the real question is how quickly he can turn that upside into something usable for the Avalanche when the stakes get much higher. [Read more 🡒]