The Colorado Avalanche are tearing through the NHL with a league-leading 33-5-8 record, but if you’ve been watching closely-not just checking scores-you know there’s more beneath the surface. This team is powered by elite top-line talent, but the foundation is showing some cracks.
Injuries have thinned out the depth chart, and it’s clear that General Manager Chris MacFarland isn’t just looking to tweak the edges. He’s hunting for real reinforcements.
Let’s break down what the Avalanche need, who’s on their radar, and what it’ll cost to turn this regular-season juggernaut into a playoff-proof powerhouse.
The Third-Line Center Problem
Let’s start with the biggest hole: the third-line center spot. Jack Drury has filled in admirably, but if Colorado wants to go deep, they need more than just a stopgap. Ross Colton’s struggled when forced into the middle, and it’s clear the Avs need a natural center who can hold his own in tough minutes and drive play from the bottom six.
Ryan O’Reilly - Nashville Predators
This is the dream scenario. O’Reilly is everything the Avs could want: a faceoff ace, defensively sound, and battle-tested in the postseason. He fits Colorado’s system like he never left.
The Catch: He’s signed through 2027 with a $4.5 million cap hit, and Nashville knows exactly what they’ve got. It would take a serious package of assets to pry him loose-assuming he’s even open to a move. This is the kind of swing you take if you’re going all-in.
Boone Jenner - Columbus Blue Jackets
Now here’s the pragmatic play. Jenner is a physical, two-way center with leadership chops and a pending UFA status. His $3.75 million cap hit is manageable, and he brings the kind of edge that translates in the postseason.
The Cost: Likely draft picks or prospects, which fits Columbus’ rebuild timeline. If the O’Reilly reunion doesn’t materialize, Jenner is a strong Plan B.
Winger Help: Energy and Upside
With Logan O’Connor battling hip issues and Ross Colton nursing an upper-body injury, the Avalanche have lost some of their forechecking punch. They need wingers who can retrieve pucks, finish checks, and bring some bite to the bottom six.
Kiefer Sherwood - Vancouver Canucks
Sherwood has found a new gear in Vancouver, evolving into a physical, fast, and effective power forward. He’s familiar with the Avalanche system, which makes him an attractive target.
The Issue: The asking price is reportedly sky-high. A first-round pick or top prospect for a bottom-six rental?
That’s a tough sell. Unless the price drops, this one’s likely a non-starter.
Blake Coleman - Calgary Flames
Two Stanley Cups and the versatility to play wing or center? On paper, Coleman checks a lot of boxes.
The Complication: He’s under contract through 2027 at $4.9 million per year. With half the league reportedly calling Calgary, the cost to acquire him-especially with salary retention-would be steep. Colorado would probably have to move a roster player like Colton or pay a premium to make the money work.
Artemi Panarin - New York Rangers
Yes, the rumor mill keeps churning out links between Panarin and Colorado. The idea of him feeding Nathan MacKinnon on the power play is tantalizing.
The Reality Check: Panarin carries an $11.6 million cap hit. Unless the Rangers retain half and take back bad contracts, the math just doesn’t work. It’s a fun fantasy, but don’t expect it to become reality.
Blue Line Reinforcements: Adding Size
Colorado’s defense is built for speed and puck movement, but they can get pushed around in front of the net. MacFarland is reportedly eyeing a big-bodied blueliner to add some physicality to the mix.
Jamie Oleksiak - Seattle Kraken
At 6-foot-7, Oleksiak brings both size and skill. He can move the puck, throw big hits, and handle playoff-style hockey.
The Hurdle: His $4.6 million cap hit is a lot for a third-pairing upgrade. It would solidify the blue line, no doubt, but it would also complicate the cap situation.
Logan Stanley - Winnipeg Jets
Stanley is the budget option. He’s massive (also 6-foot-7), cheap at $1.25 million, and while limited offensively, he brings the kind of crease-clearing presence that could help in a grind-it-out playoff series.
The Upside: Low risk, low cost. He won’t change the game, but he might help tilt a series.
Cap Space and Asset Management
So, how does Colorado pull this off? MacFarland has been working the margins, making strategic AHL assignments with players like Zakhar Bardakov and Trent Miner to bank daily cap space. Depending on how aggressive they want to get, the Avs could have anywhere from $3 million to $9 million in deadline space.
The cap is manageable. The real challenge?
Assets. Colorado’s prospect pool isn’t overflowing, and they’re already short on draft picks.
MacFarland has shown creativity in the past, but this will be his toughest balancing act yet-upgrading a 33-win team without emptying the future.
Final Word
The Avalanche are winning now, but they know better than most that regular-season dominance doesn’t guarantee playoff success. With injuries testing their depth and the postseason grind looming, Colorado is gearing up for a critical stretch. Whether it’s a blockbuster move for a name like O’Reilly or a savvy depth add like Stanley, the front office has a clear mission: patch the holes, reinforce the core, and give this team its best shot at another deep run.
The Avs are already elite. Now it’s about making sure they’re built to last when the games matter most.