October is here, the preseason is winding down and we’re less than a week away from opening night! How are the Avs looking in the top six? On defense? In goal? Also, Kirill Kaprizov signed a whopper of a contract extension and made NHL history.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — October 1.
Colorado Hockey Now
It’s hard to believe that by this time next week, the Avalanche will have already played on opening night. It’s almost surreal to look back at what the past 12 months have brought to this team. The top six from opening night last year consisted of Nathan MacKinnon and five other guys who are no longer here.
Mikko Rantanen, Jonathan Drouin, Casey Mittelstadt, Nikolai Kovalenko, and Calum Ritchie. All of those guys felt at the time like they were going to be here for several years. The fact that ALL of them are gone is crazy.
But it’s a new year, and this team looks better on paper than it has in years. It should be a fun October. More fun than it was a season ago (remember 0-4?)
I’ve got two Mailbag stories posted below. The first one covers questions about Gavin Brindley’s fight for a roster spot and the different top six combinations the team could use.
READ MORE: Top Six Combinations & Has Brindley Earned An Opening Night Roster Spot?
The second part touches on Mackenzie Blackwood’s status, goalies in the system, and help on the blueline.
READ MORE: Avalanche Mailbag: Blackwood Injury Concerns & Help on Defense
Colleen Flynn also covered the home preseason finale for CHN. Here’s what she saw at Ball Arena. The Avs improved to 4-0 in exhibition games.
The results don’t matter all that much. But individual performances do. How about some solid chemistry on the third line?
READ MORE: Colton and Drury Find Chemistry in Avs Preseason Win
Around The NHL
Kaprizov: The Minnesota Wild shockingly upped their offer. They signed superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract. The total dollars is the largest contract in NHL history, as is the $17 million AAV. This deal will begin in the 2026-27 season.
I’ll have more on what his contract means for the new market, Martin Necas, and more later on. But this is an interesting little tidbit about the deal.
Interesting to note that in the next CBA, the league minimum salary will likely be above $1M in 2030-2031 & beyond, so Kaprizov would get a raise to the new minimum and have his contract automatically adjusted upwards. https://t.co/rpG6jRgr2w
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 30, 2025
Philly Hockey Now: The final roster battles for Rick Tocchet’s Flyers are underway after the latest big round of cuts.
Detroit Hockey Now: The latest update on Nate Danielson’s injury status carries a lot more optimism than when he first got hurt.
Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are aware that Michael DiPietro could attract attention from several teams if he’s placed on waivers.
Vegas Hockey Now: What does Kaprizov’s extension mean for Jack Eichel, if anything?
