The Colorado Avalanche could have some very stiff competition next season. Two of their Central Division rivals have been doing their best to load up for 2026-27.
The first team is the Nashville Predators. The club has added former Avs in Ross Colton and Jack Drury to shore up their depth down the middle. Despite a strong veteran core including Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Roman Josi, the Predators aren’t the team the Avalanche should be wary of.
It’s the Utah Mammoth.
The Mammoth were sort of the little brother in the Central. They trailed the Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota the entire season last year. They didn’t even come close to bridging the gap between them and the top three in the division.
But that’s something that could change this upcoming season.
The Mammoth have made significant strides to improve their club. The additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee should help stabilize what is still a young core. While the loss of Sean Durzi should no doubt impact the club, it’s worth noting that a full season of Dmitri Simashev could essentially offset that loss.
As such, the Mammoth’s young core, coupled with some veteran support, could help this club turn the corner. But there’s one other addition that could help take this club to another level.
Avalanche may have to contend with rising star goalie
The Mammoth pulled off a very interesting trade with the Detroit Red Wings. Utah acquired goalie Sebastian Cossa from the Wings in exchange for a first-round pick.
Cossa, one of the bigger goalies in the league at 6’6” and 209 pounds, figures to be the backup to Karel Vejmelka. But make no mistake. Cossa should get the opportunity to play in Utah that he didn’t have in Detroit.
And if he can find his rhythm, it could mean bad news for the rest of the Central Division.
One of the issues that plagued the Mammoth last season was overplaying Vejmelka. Last season’s backup, Vitek Vanacek, didn’t quite deliver the stability the team needed for a prolonged playoff run.
That’s what Cossa delivers. If he can really live up to his pedigree, he could become the sort of lights-out goalie the Mammoth would need to seriously contend.
So, that’s just what the Avalanche need: Another high-end goalie in the Central. Colorado already has to deal with Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Juuse Saros, and Jordan Binnington. Add to that another goalie like Cossa, and things might get just a little more complicated for the Avalanche next season.
The situation, ultimately, requires the Avalanche to be all the more cohesive in its efforts in every game against divisional opponents. That’s why, if there’s one team to be on the lookout for next season, it’s Utah.
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