The Colorado Avalanche head into that time of the offseason where speculation regarding the new season is rampant. The Avs are a deeply talented team with a decent chance at winning the Stanley Cup.
While the Avalanche may not be most pundits’ first pick, they rank among the top clubs in NHL forecasts. Among those forecasts and predictions, three bold ones stand out as ones that could make the 2025-26 season an unforgettable one.
So, let’s take a look at three bold predictions for the Colorado Avalanche in 2025-26.
3 bold predictions for Colorado Avalanche in 2025-26
MacKinnon, Makar to win major awards
Let’s start with Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon is consistently ranked behind Connor McDavid as the second-best player in the NHL. But that will change this season. McDavid is mired in an apparent contract spectacle with the Edmonton Oilers.
That situation could cast a shadow on McDavid and the team, potentially hampering his usually otherworldly numbers. Meanwhile, MacKinnon should continue chugging along, barring injuries. That could be enough leeway to give MacKinnon a solid shot at the Art Ross and Hart Trophies.
Of course, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning will have a say in the matter. But MacKinnon will be looking to be in tip-top shape ahead of the Olympics, and that’s no bueno for the rest of the NHL.
As for Cale Makar, he’ll be equally motivated to be in peak form heading into the Olympics. He also has a fair chance to break the 100-point mark this season. If there’s anyone who could do it, it’s Makar.
If he does, it will be an impressive feat considering he’ll be doing it for a Cup contender. Even if he doesn’t make it to 100 points, Makar should be the presumptive winner of the 2026 Norris Trophy.
Blackwood to have Vezina-caliber season
2025-26 is the season MacKenzie Blackwood breaks out for good. Playing with a top-notch club in front of him will allow Blackwood to truly flex his muscles. He’ll get the lion’s share of the starts with Scott Wedgewood spelling him during back-to-back sets and so on.
The solid D in front of Blackwood and the confidence boost in having all-world players roaming about the ice should translate into a Vezina-caliber season for Blackwood. While he may not win, any regression from incumbent Connor Hellebuyck could open the door for Blackwood to stun the NHL.
There’s one other reason why Blackwood could take the Vezina conversation by storm. He was somewhat of a snub for Team Canada’s Olympic roster. Now, Canada’s goaltending trio isn’t exactly set in stone. GM Doug Armstrong has said that performance on the ice will ultimately determine who gets roster spots for Milano-Cortina.
So, the desire to land a roster spot on Team Canada could fuel Blackwood to stand on his head. That drive could bode extremely well for the Avalanche throughout the season.
Colorado Avalanche will win division, make it to Western Conference Final
This bold prediction assumes two things. First, the Winnipeg Jets, last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners, will not reprise their franchise-record season. It also assumes the Dallas Stars won’t be as good a regular-season team as some might believe. It could take the Stars some time to fully adjust to their new coach’s system. That situation could give the Avalanche a chance to take over the division lead early in the season.
Second, this prediction also assumes there won’t be an 0-4 start to the Colorado Avalanche’s season. So, a hot start from the Avalanche and a slower-than-expected start from the Jets and Stars could be enough for the Avalanche to grab a foothold on the division lead.
Once the playoffs roll around, the Avalanche will avoid meeting the Stars in the first round. They’ll likely meet in the second round, but things could be radically different this time around. The Avalanche could face a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final.
A couple of lucky breaks here and there could put the Avalanche on a trajectory for the Stanley Cup Final. As I’ve alluded to in other pieces, a Colorado Avalanche-Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final promises to end differently.
The Avalanche could be the club to bring the Panthers’ dynasty to a screeching halt.