Avalanche Stumble in Ottawa, Panarin Sits Amid Trade Buzz, Chiarot Gets New Deal in Detroit
It’s been a rough stretch for the Colorado Avalanche, and Wednesday night in Ottawa might’ve been the low point. With just four games left before the Olympic break, the Avs looked flat, frustrated, and frankly, out of sync in a game that exposed some glaring issues.
Let’s break it down.
Avalanche Fall Flat in Ottawa
Seventeen shots on goal. Zero power plays.
No lead at any point in the game. That’s the stat line for a team that looked like it had run out of gas long before the final whistle.
After tying the game at 1-1, Colorado gave up the go-ahead goal just 17 seconds later-a gut punch that summed up the night. This wasn’t just a bad game; it was a performance that raised real questions about where this team stands heading into the break.
The Avalanche are clearly feeling the grind of the season. Whether it’s fatigue, injuries, or just a lack of execution, this team isn’t playing at the level we’ve come to expect.
The Olympic break can’t come soon enough, but with four games still on the schedule, there’s no time to coast. They need to find a spark-and fast.
Panarin Done in New York?
Over in New York, one of the league’s most dynamic wingers is on the move-or at least on the shelf for now.
Artemi Panarin has played his final game for the Rangers, at least for the time being. He’ll be held out through the Olympic break, and if a deal isn’t done by then, he’ll stay out until the trade deadline. With a league-wide trade freeze set to kick in on February 4, the clock is ticking.
Panarin reportedly wants a contract extension with his next team, which could complicate things for cap-strapped contenders. There’s been chatter about Colorado being in the mix, but it’s hard to see how the numbers work.
A team like Anaheim could make more sense, especially with Joel Quenneville behind the bench-a coach Panarin knows well. Detroit could also be a landing spot, with Patrick Kane already in the fold.
And don’t count out Dallas, though fitting an extension into their cap structure would be a challenge.
Wherever he lands, Panarin’s availability changes the landscape. He’s not just a rental-he’s a game-changer. And with the deadline drama heating up, this story’s just getting started.
Chiarot Stays in Detroit
In Detroit, Ben Chiarot is sticking around.
After a few seasons where he was often playing out of position and logging more minutes than he probably should have, Chiarot has found a better fit under coach Todd McLellan. The veteran defenseman, now in the final year of his deal, has carved out a more defined role-and the Red Wings clearly like what they see. He’s signed an extension to stay in Detroit.
It’s a move that reflects the Wings’ evolving blue line. Chiarot may not be the top-pairing guy he was once asked to be, but in the right role, he brings toughness, experience, and a reliable presence. This extension signals that Detroit sees value in that as they continue to build toward contention.
Quick Hits
- In Montreal, the Canadiens made a change behind the scenes, firing their goalie coach on Wednesday. It’s a move that could shake things up for a team still searching for stability in net.
As we head into the final stretch before the Olympic pause, storylines are heating up across the league. The Avalanche are trying to stop the bleeding, Panarin’s trade saga is unfolding in real time, and teams like Detroit are quietly locking in pieces for the future.
Stay tuned-this next week could get wild.