By the time the Broncos finish their seemingly endless training camp, we’ll be knocking on the door of hockey season.
A month from now, the Avalanche’s prospects will be playing in the annual rookie tournament. A few days later, training camp will be underway with all the veterans and it’ll be go time.
An NHL schedule isn’t like the NFL, where there’s variance every year depending on how you do the previous season. In the NHL, you’re guaranteed to play every team at least twice and now with an additional two games, the Avalanche will see each divisional opponent four times. Because of that, there’s no point in breaking down every single game, but there are a few interesting wrinkles in the 84-game schedule for the Avalanche that are worth noting.
Oct. 13/14 and Jan. 22/24: Two home-and-homes
with the Dallas Stars
Kudos to the schedule makers. Games six and seven (keep it together, folks) for the Avalanche will see them take on the Stars twice in a span of 28 hours. That’s one way to develop some early-season hate between the two clubs.
If that wasn’t enough, the teams will do it again at the end of January with a second home-and-home series. That one won’t be on back-to-back nights, but will again see the two teams face off in a miniseries and it’s a good bet the points up for grabs will be important when it comes to the standings. All four games between these teams were extremely close last season.
Dec. 9-23: Christmas vacation (at home)
Colorado has two season-long five-game home stands, but the one in December is more unique. They’ll play just five games in the above time frame before the NHL takes their yearly Christmas break, but they’ll be able to spend all 14 days in the comfort of their own beds in Denver. That’s rare in the middle of an NHL season. They play some good teams during this time frame as well, including Carolina and Utah.
Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) skates with the puck while being pursued by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the second period of a game Oct. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (The Associated Press)
Dec. 31: Winter Classic in Utah
Is the Winter Classic a little played out? Absolutely. Is it cool when your team is in it? Definitely. The Utah Mammoth got better this summer, adding some solid veterans to a young forward group and are looking to make the leap from wild card team to a squad that has a shot at winning the division. As cool as Dec. 31 will be, the two points will matter.
Feb. 9-13: Eastern Conference gauntlet
Colorado’s reward coming out of the All-Star break is a trip out east to face arguably the three best teams in the other conference. Starting in Carolina and finishing with back-to-back against the two teams in the Sunshine State, the Avalanche will be tested immediately after the nine-day break.
March 9-27: Post-deadline home stretch
Based on Joe Sakic’s last media availability this summer, he’ll save his roster tinkering for in-season. The trade deadline is on March 1, and a week after it passes, the Avalanche will have the opportunity to cement their spot in the standings. From March 9 to March 27, they’ll play 10 games, eight of which will be at Ball Arena. At that time of year, you want to control your own destiny. They’ll have the opportunity to do that.
April 8: Goodbye to a classic
The Avalanche will say goodbye to the last of its kind, as they’ll play their final game in Calgary’s Saddledome. It’s unlikely the game will matter much to the Flames, who aren’t expected to be very good, but it’ll be a sad day for folks who love the old barns NHL teams used to play in. Next year, the Flames will play in a new, modern arena.
Wild ending
Last year, the Avalanche faced the Dallas Stars three times after the Olympic break, increasing the importance of those games. This coming season, it will be the Minnesota Wild. Three of Colorado’s final 13 games will come against the team they eliminated in the second round, including the season finale on April 10. They could matter in a big way when it comes to seeding for the postseason.
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for the puck during the third period in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
What I’m hearing
Not sure Valeri Nichushkin did a single interview with the local media last season, but he has no issue speaking to the Russian media. Talking to RB Sport in his home country, he called the Avalanche “one of the oldest teams in the league,” noting that they were one of the youngest when they won the Stanley Cup in 2022. He also spoke highly of Columbus’ core. Calling Colorado “old” (by NHL standards) isn’t wrong. They are one of the oldest teams in the league. That being said, the Avalanche are still in better shape than the Blue Jackets, who are staring down the possibility of their two best players leaving because they have no intention of re-signing in Columbus.
Avalanche goaltending prospect Ilya Nabokov also spoke to Russian media about his upcoming move to North America and seems to have a positive attitude on having to pay his dues in the AHL. “Naturally, I’d like to play in the NHL,” Nabokov told sports24.ru. “At the same time, I understand that hockey in North America is completely different and that I’ll need time to adjust. Colorado has several good goaltenders, so I’m preparing myself for the possibility that I’ll need to play in the AHL. But I want to gradually make my way into the NHL.” Nabokov said he hopes to get some NHL games in this coming season, which is a possibility given Mackenzie Blackwood’s injury history.
What I’m seeing
Spent two days at Broncos training camp this past week. Crazy to think they have another month until the real games start. The NFL is different from the NHL, but the Avalanche will wrap up training camp in 11 days next month. They’ll get to the real action immediately.
Still a few decent UFA forward options out on the NHL market, but seems like GMs are taking the entire month off. Not expecting any of them to sign until right before camp.
What I’m thinking
The Avalanche will see the Wild a ton at the end of the season, but will they see Quinn Hughes then? Seems to be more concern each day that he won’t sign in Minnesota and wants to play with his brothers.
Cale Makar will be at Dick’s House of Sport on Sunday from Noon-1:30 p.m. in Thornton. Guessing a fan or 20 will ask him about a new contract.