Colorado Avalanche prepare for 2026-27 season with roster adjustments

Following a 2025-26 season that ended in a Western Conference Final sweep by the Vegas Golden Knights, the Colorado Avalanche enter the 2026-27 campaign with a restructured front office and roster. Joe Sakic has reassumed duties as general manager after Chris MacFarland moved to the Nashville Predators. The team secured defenseman Cale Makar to a long-term contract extension, while veteran Brent Burns joined on a one-year deal. Offseason departures included the trade of Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets to address salary cap requirements. The team remains focused on maintaining top-line production from Nathan MacKinnon, who returns alongside Gabriel Landeskog and newcomers such as Jaden Schwartz. The coaching staff faces the challenge of generating consistent secondary scoring from the bottom six forward groups as the regular season approaches.

• 11:55 AMYahoo Sports — Puck Drop Preview: 2026-27 Colorado Avalanche