In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Colorado Avalanche, a franchise that continues to contend—but still hasn’t returned to the Stanley Cup Final since hoisting the trophy in 2022.

The Avalanche finished the 2024–25 season with 102 points and their eighth straight playoff appearance, but fell in Game 7 to the Dallas Stars in the second round. The hosts dive into what’s holding the Avs back from reclaiming the Cup, despite the presence of two of the league’s most electrifying stars: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

They also break down a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the signing of Brent Burns, the addition of Victor Olofsson, and the trade that brought in Gavin Brindley while shipping out Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. The Avalanche also re-signed key contributors like Brock Nelson, Parker Kelly, and Josh Manson, while losing depth pieces like Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren.

As the Avs prepare for another run, the big questions remain: Is this still a Cup-caliber team? Or have they become more sizzle than substance?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Avalanche recap: Consistency without deep playoff success

[00:36] Game 7 vs. Dallas: A haunting finish to a promising year

[01:00] Star power vs. depth: Are MacKinnon & Makar enough?

[02:00] Offseason review: Brent Burns signs, Coyle/Wood traded

[03:00] Gavin Brindley’s upside and forward depth

[04:00] UFA/RFA re-signings: Nelson, Manson, Vejdemo, Kelly

[05:00] Defensive pairings: Makar, Toews, Manson, Burns

[06:00] Goaltending: Blackwood and Wedgewood tandem

[07:00] Full-strength roster? Landeskog returns to open season

[08:00] A stacked Central Division: Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado

[09:00] Why playoff format hurts deep divisions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Colorado’s core remains elite, with MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, and Landeskog leading the way, but playoff progress has stalled.

The addition of Brent Burns offers leadership and power-play presence, but the team needs more from its second-tier stars.

Gabriel Landeskog’s full-season return could be a game-changer, giving Colorado much-needed leadership and physicality.

Goaltending remains a question: Blackwood and Wedgewood must prove they can deliver postseason-caliber performances.

The Central Division is brutal—with Dallas and Winnipeg also strong, one top-tier team will inevitably exit early due to the current playoff format.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

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