The Colorado Avalanche pulled off something unbelievably hard to do last season. They retooled the team on the fly, during the regular season.
The retool began with the Avalanche overhauling their goaltending situation. In two separate trades, the Avs brought in MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Then, Colorado GM Chris MacFarland blew the NHL trade market out of the water in the Mikko Rantanen-Martin Necas trade.
MacFarland made two major trades at the deadline, bringing in Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle. Coyle, along with defenseman Ryan Lindgren, is no longer with the club this season. Be that as it may, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill praised MacFarland for the job he did in revamping the Avalanche in-season.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun quoted Nill on November 24, stating:
“C-Mac (MacFarland) and Joe Sakic have done a heck of a job. They retooled their team last year — not easy to do during the regular season. I just respect so much what they’ve done.”
The quote underscores the respect that both MacFarland and Sakic have earned throughout the league. Nill, who’s a three-time winner of the NHL GM of the Year award, knows what it takes to build a successful club.
The Avalanche may have fallen to the Stars in the playoffs last season. But judging from this season’s start, Colorado could be a team of destiny.
Avalanche are “driven” this season
Nill, whose team was responsible for spoiling last season for the Avalanche, pointed out how motivated the Avs look this season.
Nill stated:
“They’re a good team, and I think they’re driven. I think their top players have said, ‘You know what? We’re going to show everybody.’ And good for them.”
Indeed, the Avalanche look like a team on a mission. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar look like their dominant selves. But it’s been everyone else around them that has taken things up a notch.
Besides the incredible goaltending, support players have stepped up throughout the lineup. Think of players like Victor Olofsson. He’s been on fire since coming over in free agency. Brock Nelson has quietly had an impressive season, while Ross Colton continues to do Ross Colton things.
The blue line looks as good as it ever has. The biggest improvement has come from Sam Malinski. He no longer looks like an afterthought. He looks poised to remain a top-six NHL defenseman.
Then, there’s Brent Burns. Burns looks like he took a trip to Shangri-La over the summer and has turned back the clock a few years.
If Nill is right, the Avalanche could become an unstoppable force this season. With just one regulation loss so far this season, Colorado could be on pace for a season for the ages.