As the NHL Draft approaches, all eyes are on Colorado Avalanche's general manager, Joe Sakic, who is making strategic moves to bolster his team's lineup through free agency. With an eye on adding depth, Sakic has openly stated his intention to bring in one or two forwards and a defenseman. This move could be a game-changer for the Avs as they look to strengthen their roster.
Sakic, known for his strategic discretion, hasn't revealed all his cards just yet. While he hasn't explicitly confirmed whether the Avalanche will utilize their newly acquired draft picks, it seems they're leaning toward doing so. With the No. 43 pick in the second round and No. 74 in the third, these selections came from trades involving Ross Colton and Valeri Nichushkin, adding a layer of intrigue to the Avs' draft strategy.
In addition to eyeing free agency, Sakic is also counting on the young guns within the Avalanche's system to step up. Names like Gavin Brindley, T.J.
Hughes, Zachary L’Heureux, and Fedor Svechkov are likely candidates to infuse the team with youthful energy and enthusiasm. As Sakic put it, "They bring their youth, and they give the older guys a boost.
They see them playing and bring that energy, and it just brings everybody’s level up a little bit."
The Avalanche have already made some key moves by signing Brett Kulak and Brent Burns, effectively securing their six-man defense core from the previous season. This continuity could be crucial as the team looks to build on past successes and push further in the upcoming season.
As the draft unfolds and free agency looms, the Avalanche are poised to make significant strides. With Sakic at the helm, the team is navigating this crucial period with a blend of strategic foresight and a commitment to nurturing young talent. Keep an eye on the Avs, as they continue to make waves in the NHL landscape.
In Other News...
Joe Sakic Just Sent Another Jolt Through The Avalanche Roster
The Avalanche kept the offseason moving in a big way around the 2026 NHL Draft, adding nine players while Joe Sakic continued to reshape the roster through a string of moves. Colorado also dealt Ivan Ivan to the Boston Bruins for Fabian Lysell, another sign the front office is still trying to balance short-term roster stability with longer-term upside.
Brent Burns coming back for another season added a familiar veteran layer to the mix, but the larger picture is still very much in motion. With Sakic active in the market and the Avalanche making multiple deals, the roster looks far from finished, and the next move could say a lot about how Colorado sees its window right now. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Just Made A Makar Move Fans Will Want To See
The Avalanche kept a familiar name in the fold by signing forward Taylor Makar to a two-year contract that runs through the 2027-28 season. It is the latest step in a first full professional year that saw him move between Colorado and the Colorado Eagles, with the 2025-26 season giving him a taste of both NHL and AHL duty as he worked his way into the organizations plans.
Makars background already gives the deal extra interest around the team. The younger brother of defenseman Cale Makar came to pro hockey after college stops at the University of Maine and UMass-Amherst, and his development has been watched closely ever since he entered the Avalanche system. His first year also carried him into a meaningful spring run with the Eagles, which only adds to the sense that Colorado sees a player worth keeping close as his next chapter begins. [Read more 🡒]
Another Avalanche Linked Pick Just Took An Unexpected New Turn
A pick tied to Colorados draft future has already taken on a different look after a fresh move in Vancouver. Nashville added winger Nils Hglander from the Canucks for a third-round pick in 2029, giving the Predators another young piece to sort into their lineup while Vancouver picked up draft capital and some cap relief.
For Avalanche fans, the wrinkle is less about where Hglander landed than how a previously connected asset keeps changing hands. Hglander is under contract through the 2027-28 season, and the move gives Nashville a player whose recent season was shaped by an ankle injury and a steep dip in production after a more productive year before that, making this one of those deals that could still look very different down the road. [Read more 🡒]