When the Colorado Avalanche raced out to a 4-0 start to the preseason, I started thinking silly thoughts. I won't lie, I was suddenly very invested in games that we as hockey fans know don't actually count. Doubtless it was partly due to the end of an offseason that once felt like an eternity in puck-less purgatory.
More than that though, I was enjoying the idea that the supposed worst prospect pool in hockey might go undefeated in the preseason. Avalanche fans don't often feel that particular underdog rush, at least in the current era. Perhaps it's for the best that Colorado dropped the last two games. Oftentimes a humble hockey club is a hungry hockey club.
Also, it keeps a writer like me in check, and not making asinine hot-take arguments about how the preseason is actually super important now. As I've reiterated in every preseason or Rookie Showcase piece I've ever written, these games are a learning exercise.
The six-game tune-up might be glorified conditioning for regular roster players, but it's also the final audition for prospects hoping to fill those last few spots in the lineup. By that metric, I think this preseason was about as productive as anyone could hope.
Gavin Brindley was the feel-good story of preseason
The Avalanche are largely set as far as their forward core goes. Thus, there was only one spot realistically up for grabs. Gavin Brindley seems to have secured that last spot, at least on Tuesday's opening night roster. Our own Conor Lively wrote about Brindley's emergence this week.
Even in that pretty glowing review of Brindley's potential, it was suggested that making the NHL roster would be a surprise. But again and again, Brindley was noticeable to the Avalanche coaching staff. In five preseason appearances, Brindley contributed three goals and one assist. He also lit the lamp in the single game he played in the Rookie Showcase.
It's worth noting that in the 4-2 win over Vegas, where Brindley did not register an official point, he was still on the ice for two goals where his linemates Jack Drury and Ross Colton connected for tallies. Brindley was still a factor in helping those plays workâespecially the tie-breaking goal where his hustle was crucial. Coaches love to see smart positional work with or without the puck on a player's stick.
Brindley was able to impact play consistently and his example is one every prospect should be looking to emulate in the future. It could be that this opportunity with the big club is just a blip, but whatever the case, it is evidence of coaches rewarding a standout effort with some tangible opportunity.
With Logan O'Connor still recovering from his second hip surgery in as many seasons, Colorado's forward depth is all the more important. I'm not willing to say that a Brindley breakout makes anyone else expendable at this time, but it would certainly give the club something to think about.
Personally, Brindley's success means just a little more to me. After the draft this summer, I wrote about Colorado's 7th round selection Nolan Roed as a sentimental pick because he played his USHL hockey in my own back yard for the Tri-City Storm. The same roots are true for Brindley as I noted in that article. Even so, I did not dare expect his Avalanche debut would come so soon.
The forward group is frequently the most in flux part of a pro roster. But for now, the Colorado Avalanche look pretty well prepared for puck drop.
Thank goodness for Scott Wedgewood
The most pressing concern that arose out of camp has to be questions regarding the health of starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. After last season's roller coaster in net, the Avalanche were psyched to begin the 2025-26 campaign confident at goalkeeper. Blackwood's subsequent injury-scare almost caused me health problems.
The organization hasn't panicked, however. The preseason tandem of Scott Wedgewood and Trent Miner were nice and steady. The mere fact that Colorado has chosen not to sign another netminder speaks to the front office feeling comfortable. It certainly wouldn't have been out of the question for the club to sign someone off of waivers in the past few weeks if they were worried about a lingering issue.
Luckily, Wedgewood is one of the best backups around. His veteran presence is precisely what the Avalanche need in this moment. As it stands, Colorado does not have a back-to-back until late October. This would be the normal guaranteed start for a number 2. Blackwood will be back well before then.
I sometimes feel as though I'm a professional worrier in my own life. But as of now, even I'm not sweating the goalie question. Every indication the club has given to this point suggests they are ready to start with Wedgewood in net, and for Blackwood to return soon.
The preseason has not just assured me of Wedgewood's prefect fit, but it has also given me more reason to believe Trent Miner is serviceable in what would admittedly be some unforeseen nightmare scenario. Miner is a solid American Hockey League goalie for the Colorado Eagles right now. If disaster struck and Wedgewood got hurt, he could at least hold the net until Chris MacFarland puts in an emergency call to Russia for 2025 top pick Ilya Nabokov.
What about the defense?
Finally, we come to the defensive core. Headlined by what is widely regarded as the top pair in hockey, and recently bolstered by surly vet Brent Burns, the Avalanche are deep as a unit. But with that acquisition and the extension of Sam Malinski, there is a question of the squad being heavy on right shot defensemen.
This contrast was only drawn into starker focus during a preseason where Samuel Girard was unavailable until the final matchup with Dallas on Saturday. Thankfully Girard looks good to go for Tuesday.
Head Coach Jared Bednar used the preseason to test Malinski, working his non-traditional side. The results weren't great. Even so, it seems the experiment was productive in a way. It led the Avalanche to claim Ilya Solovyov off the waiver wire from Calgary. Interestingly, Solvyov, and not Keaton Middelton, looks like he will slot in as Colorado's seventh defenseman to start the season.
As always, early season moves like this aren't necessarily final decisions on roster construction. I think the team knows what they have in Middelton, but they are certainly willing to tinker with the type of depth they would like to see on the backend. Defensive playstyle is a Colorado Avalanche signature and you don't get there by being inflexible or predictable.
The two close losses to finish the preseason don't bother me. But the one sour note from this weekend's finale was that Sean Behrens appeared to be hurt early in the game. He left and did not return to the bench. For now, the Denver University standout was only said to be taken out as a precaution.
Avalanche fans know that the highly-touted defensive prospect missed all of last season with a knee injury. His health is obviously paramount to his continued development with the Colorado Eagles, where he is expected to play this year.
If you don't love preseason simply by virtue of it being some form of Colorado Avalanche hockey, you'll be happy to hear that next season they are shortening it by 2 games. The regular season calendar will gain two games as a result.
At long last Avs Faithful, we have made it to the other side of the offeseason. The puck drops on another season tomorrow night in Los Angeles when the Avalanche will face the LA Kings.