Summer Coolers – Colorado Avalanche

Summer Coolers – Colorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche were arguably the NHL’s most dominant regular-season team, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy while leading the league in offense, defense, save percentage, and penalty killing. But their pursuit of another Stanley Cup ended abruptly when the Vegas Golden Knights swept them in the Western Conference Final, with an injured Cale Makar unable to make his usual impact. Now Colorado enters 2026-27 with significant roster turnover, Joe Sakic temporarily back in the GM chair, questions about lost depth, and one enormous piece of business looming: Makar’s next contract. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Avalanche remain the powerhouse they were a year ago.

IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Colorado comes off a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, capturing the award for the fourth time in franchise history while reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a ninth consecutive year.

[00:00:25] The Avalanche race through the first two rounds, sweeping Los Angeles before eliminating Minnesota in five games and reaching the Western Conference Final in only nine playoff games.

[00:00:45] Their postseason ends dramatically against Vegas. The Golden Knights sweep Colorado in the conference final, with Cale Makar missing the opening two games before returning for the final two while clearly not at full strength.

[00:01:10] The result becomes another reminder that regular-season dominance guarantees nothing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Recent Presidents’ Trophy winners have experienced dramatically different outcomes once the postseason begins.

[00:01:35] Neil points back to Boston’s record-setting 2022-23 season as perhaps the ultimate example. The Bruins dominated the regular season before being eliminated by Florida in the opening round.

[00:02:00] Winning the Presidents’ Trophy requires tremendous consistency over a full season, but Neil explains that the grind can also take a physical toll before the playoffs even begin.

[00:02:20] Makar’s health becomes especially significant because Neil considers him, along with Nathan MacKinnon, one of the two most important players on the Avalanche roster.

[00:02:40] Colorado’s regular-season numbers demonstrate just how dominant the team was. The Avalanche lead the NHL offensively at 3.63 goals per game.

[00:03:00] Colorado also finishes first defensively at 2.37 goals allowed per game, while Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood combine to help produce an NHL-best .908 save percentage.

[00:03:20] The penalty kill ranks first at 84.6 percent, giving the Avalanche elite performance in almost every major statistical category.

[00:03:40] Then comes one of the NHL season’s biggest statistical mysteries: despite possessing an incredible collection of offensive talent, Colorado’s power play finishes only 27th.