The Colorado Avalanche have struggled since the calendar turned to 2026, which means that the problem of the power play has become even more magnified. Drastic times call for drastic measures and the drastic measure that the Avs need to take to improve the power play is to demote Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar to the second unit.
Their net PP% is 10.3. In the last 10 years that ranks 332nd out of 344.
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 3, 2026
Out of balance
The Colorado Avalanche only have one power play unit as it is currently deployed. The second unit rarely sees the ice except for a few seconds of clean up duty before the man-advantage expires. Even when there is a change, it is not much of one because MacKinnon stays out on the ice for it. This whole season has seen a power play out of balance and the way to force balance back into it is to take MacKinnon off of the ice at the start of it. Make him stew and fidget on the bench for the first minute so that, if the first unit does not score, he can come onto the ice like he has been shot out of a cannon and can run rough shod over a tired penalty kill or their backup unit.
As for Cale Makar, it feels more like he needs balance via recalibration because the sights on his scope are off. Giving him the chance to take in the power play first from the bench would provide an opportunity for him to better survey the landscape and then be able to come in with a plan of attack that allows him to regain confidence in his passing and, especially, in his shooting.
Building a strong top unit
In a standard power play, the five traditional roles are quarterback/point, right and left flankers along the half-walls, the bumper spot and the net-front presence. It is also important to have players who are good at faceoffs, zone entries, and board battles.
Without MacKinnon nor Makar, a well-balanced first unit would have Martin Necas taking charge of the top unit. He has all the tools minus faceoff acumen with zone entries with speed, good vision and passing, and an elite one-timer from the left circle.
For faceoffs and a quick shot, Brock Nelson should be in the bumper spot while Valeri Nichushkin can set up shop in front of the goaltender. Give the right faceoff circle to Ross Colton where he can let loose with his hard shot. All three of those players would be hard along the boards to dig out pucks and get them back to the point or to Necas where they can continue to create chances.
At the point, the best choice would be Sam Malinski as he is more offensively dynamic than Devon Toews and has more foot speed than Brent Burns if a shorthanded rush goes in the other direction. Malinski taking those minutes would also reduce the wear-and-tear on those two veteran defenders. He has also shown a lot of growth in his game, which could flourish further if given some substantial time on the power play.
Overall, a top unit of Necas, Nelson, Nichushkin, Colton, and Malinski would have an excellent combination of skill and heaviness to create a lot of quality scoring chances, and hopefully goals, for the Colorado Avalanche.
Crafting a lethal second unit
If, after a minute or so, the top unit is unable to score on their chances, there will be a murders’ row of a second unit ready to jump over the boards and strike.
MacKinnon would obviously take up his traditional role for zone entries and in the left faceoff circle, although he will prowl wherever his instincts lead him to go hunt. After having warmed the bench for the start of the man advantage, he will be chomping at the bit to go and attack.
Makar would, of course, man his point position, but with the freedom to attack and play with a little more of a downhill mentality. Limiting himself to walking the blue line will not help to bring back his confidence. By driving the zone, he will open up space in which to create not only for himself but also for his teammates.
Once returned from injury, Gabriel Landeskog would also be on this unit alongside Artturi Lehkonen. These two would be able to rotate between the net-front and the right half-wall. They would also give MacKinnon and Makar familiar targets to work with as well as be able to win board battles to maintain puck possession.
That leaves the bumper spot, for which Jack Drury would be suited. If Makar decides to drive low, he knows how to sag back and cover defensively. Plus, he adds another strong faceoff presence to help with puck possession. He is also good at getting lost in the play and becoming overlooked by the defense. His shot is not elite, but he is good at putting it in dangerous areas.
The key to the Colorado Avalanche developing a dangerous and effective power play is having two balanced units that can wear the opposing penalty kill down with a combination of speed, skill, and hard work. As it stands, such balance cannot be achieved with Nathan MacKinnon’s domineering presence on the top unit nor Cale Makar’s tentative play from the blue line. It would be in the team’s best interest to move both of them to the second unit to create a truly special one-two punch on the man advantage and bring the power play in line with the rest of the dominating play that the Avs have been showcasing all season long.