The Colorado Avalanche finalized their roster ahead of the 5 pm deadline on Monday. The club is fully cap-compliant and ready to hit the ground running against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
The final roster doesn’t show any earth-shattering surprises. However, some interesting moves highlight the Avalanche’s situation heading into the 2025-26 season.
So, let’s take a closer look at the three surprises in the Colorado Avalanche’s Opening Night roster.
3 surprises in Colorado Avalanche Opening Night roster
Avalanche carry three goalies
This twist has to be the most interesting one. The Avalanche will carry three goalies to start the season, as starter MacKenzie Blackwood is not fully ready to start the season. Avalanche insider Aarif Deen reported that Blackwood is making strides to return, but wasn’t a full participant at practice on Monday.
So, it looks like Scott Wedgewood will get the call with Trent Miner backing him up in LA. That’s not a bad tandem from what we saw in the preseason.
It’s worth pointing out that Blackwood remains on the active roster. So, it might be a matter of days before he’s ready to hit the ice. In the meantime, it doesn’t seem like the Avs will place their starting goalie on IR.
But we shall see.
Brindley, Ahcan make team
Top prospect Gavin Brindley made the final cut on Monday. Brindley, who came over from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Charlie Coyle trade, isn’t expected to suit up on Tuesday night. However, it might be a matter of time before he gets into the lineup.
Brindley impressed enough in camp to stave off being sent down to the Colorado Eagles. However, it might be challenging for him to get into the lineup if everyone plays well. We could see Brindley in the lineup as other players need days off.
As for Jack Ahcan, he got the seventh-defenseman role. This move was perhaps the biggest surprise, as other blueliners like waiver claim Ilya Solovyov could have made the team. Solovyov was placed on IR and is listed day-to-day due to a personal matter.
Ahcan also beat out Keaton Middleton. Ahcan offers more of an all-around game compared to Middleton’s more one-dimensional approach.
It’s worth pointing out that other defensemen like Sean Behrens, Ronald Attard, and Jacob MacDonald were all designated as non-roster players due to injuries. The three aforementioned blueliners could have earned the seventh defenseman role, but injuries have them currently out of the running.
Ivan, Gushchin don’t make cut
Wingers Ivan Ivan and Danil Gushchin had a solid shot at making the team. In particular, Gushchin was initially projected as making the club, specifically on the fourth line.
Instead, Gushchin will start the season with the Eagles. While the move isn’t exactly shocking, he was expected to make a stronger case to start the season with the main club.
As for Ivan, he made the club last season, albeit due to significant injury concerns. This season, he didn’t even land the 13th forward gig. Perhaps the club feels it’s better for him to have regular playing time with the Eagles as opposed to sitting in the press box.
Be that as it may, Ivan and Gushchin could be in the running for first-man-up roles if injuries strike.