The Colorado Avalanche will be getting set to kick off training camp in a couple of weeks. That’s a great sign because we’ve all missed hockey. And the sooner the Avs get back on the ice, the better.
The beginning of training camp also means the organization will be looking at how the lineup will take shape for next season.
On the whole, there won’t be many surprises for the Avalanche’s top six and defense corps. But there will be some interesting roster battles, mainly in the bottom six forward group and depth roles.
That’s why it’s worth taking a look at three players who could be on the bubble this upcoming season.
3 Avalanche players who could be on the bubble in 2026-27
Fedor Svechkov
Svechkov is a newcomer to the team. He arrived from Nashville in the Jack Drury deal and looks to find a foothold on the Avs’ fourth line.
On paper, the Russian forward should provide punch, physicality, and potentially depth scoring. That’s all good, particularly for a guy who’s going to play about 10 minutes a night.
But there might be a chance that Svechkov won’t factor much into the Avalanche’s plans. Specifically, a prospect like TJ Hughes could unseat him for that 4C role.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that Hughes is too good to take over the 4C role. If anything, it’s likely we'll see Hughes a third-line winger, should he make the team.
There is the risk, nonetheless, that Svechkov may find himself on the outs if he proves to be a one-dimensional player with little offensive upside. And if someone like Hughes can really impress in camp and early in the season, even if it’s in the AHL, Svechkov could be on the outside looking in.
Zachary L’Heureux
Another part of the return for Drury, Zachary L’Heureux, isn’t guaranteed a lineup spot. The 23-year-old does come with snarl and grit. Those are highly valuable traits, especially for a team that isn’t known for being a roughhousing bunch.
But if he can’t produce much beyond that, it will be tough to see him crack the lineup regularly. Other forwards could push him out of a lineup spot.
The most immediate name is Gavin Brindley. The former second-rounder won’t be on the fourth line. But he could drop someone like Logan O’Connor to that 4C role, meaning that L’Heureux may find it tough to stay in the lineup.
There could be a role for L’Heureux as the 13th forward. So, that’s another race to keep an eye on.
Noah Juulsen
Juulsen is another newcomer to the Avalanche. He signed a two-year deal worth $2.2 million to round out the team’s defensive core. He’s likely destined for the seventh defenseman role, occasionally getting action when someone needs a break, gets hurt, or when Jared Bednar decides to roll with seven D.
That said, Juulsen could see some pushback from others coming up through the system. Colorado could still bring back Nick Blankenburg on a PTO, or something, while potentially seeing other guys like Gustav Stjernberg or veteran Christian Wolanin push for that seventh blueline spot.
Ultimately, there shouldn’t be any surprises this upcoming season. But there might just be a couple of roster battles to watch, as the Avalanche’s 2026-27 roster begins to take shape.
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