The Colorado Avalanche are basically breaking the NHL right now. They’ve got 74 points in 45 games, sitting on a ridiculous 33-4-8 record. Honestly, if you’re a fan of any other team in the Central Division, you’re probably just hoping for a miracle at this point.
But even with the best record in hockey, the Colorado Avalanche news rumors mill is spinning faster than Cale Makar on a transition play. You’ve probably heard the whispers. People are talking about a "missing piece" or a need for "grit."
Is there actually a hole in a roster that has only lost four times in regulation all year?
Surprisingly, yeah.
The Landeskog Void and the Olympic Scare
Let's talk about the Captain. Gabriel Landeskog finally made it back this year after missing three full seasons. It was the feel-good story of the decade. Then, on January 4th against Florida, he hit the goalpost at full speed.
It was ugly.
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Bednar says he’s out "some weeks" with an upper-body injury. This isn't the knee, which is a relief, but it’s a massive blow to the locker room. The timing is also terrible because of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Landeskog was named to Sweden’s roster on January 2nd, and now his status for the Games is a giant question mark.
When your captain goes down, the rumor mill starts churning out names to fill that leadership gap.
Why the Ross Colton Injury Changes Everything
Just when you thought the forward depth could handle Landeskog’s absence, Ross Colton gets listed as day-to-day. He likely caught an upper-body stinger during that 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto. He’s been a staple in the top six, and without him, the lines look a bit... thin.
Expect to see Victor Olofsson sliding up to play with Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin if Colton can’t go against Nashville.
Colorado Avalanche News Rumors: The "Big Game Hunting" Reality
Chris MacFarland isn't exactly known for being shy. The latest Colorado Avalanche news rumors have linked the team to some massive names, but we need to inject some reality into the conversation.
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- Artemi Panarin: Elliotte Friedman recently reminded everyone that the Avs took a huge run at Panarin years ago (offering something like $13 million a year). With the Rangers currently struggling and Panarin’s contract winding down, the connection is easy to make. But Colorado doesn't have a 2026 first-round pick. They traded it for Brock Nelson.
- Dougie Hamilton: People love this one. It's a fun "what if." But Hamilton makes $9 million. The Avs have about $3 million in projected deadline space. You do the math. Unless New Jersey is feeling incredibly charitable and retains half that salary, it’s a pipe dream.
- The 4C Search: This is the most realistic rumor. Nick Kypreos mentioned the Avs are hunting for depth at center. Jack Drury has been a stud as the 3C, but the 4C spot has been a revolving door between Zakhar Bardakov and Parker Kelly.
Is Boone Jenner the Answer?
If you want a name that actually makes sense, look at Boone Jenner. The Blue Jackets captain is a UFA this summer and carries a manageable $3.75 million cap hit. He’s the type of "playoff-style" player Bednar loves. He’s gritty, wins faceoffs, and doesn't mind the dirty work.
Calgary’s Blake Coleman is another name floating around, but half the league wants him. The price for Coleman will be astronomical, and MacFarland might not have the assets to win a bidding war.
The Statistical Freak Show
It’s hard to complain about a team that leads the league in goals for (4.02 per game) and goals against (2.20 per game).
Nathan MacKinnon is currently on pace for 148 points. Read that again. 148. He has 81 points in 45 games. He’s not just playing hockey; he’s playing a video game on the "easy" setting.
Then there’s the Nelson-Nichushkin duo. While MacKinnon and Martin Necas get the headlines, Nelson and Nichushkin haven't allowed a single goal while shorthanded this season. Not one. When they’re on the ice at 5-on-5, their expected goals-for percentage is 61.81%. That’s higher than the MacKinnon line.
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The Goalie Situation is Finally Stable
Remember when we were all worried about the crease?
Mackenzie Blackwood just got activated off IR on Wednesday. Before he got hurt, he was leading the league with a 2.07 GAA. With Scott Wedgewood holding the fort and Blackwood back, the Avs have arguably the most stable goaltending tandem they've had in years.
What the Avs Should Actually Do
Ignore the "Panarin to Denver" clickbait. The Avs are 33-4-8. They don't need a superstar. They need insurance.
If I'm MacFarland, I'm looking for a veteran 4th-line center who can kill penalties. Someone who allows Bednar to keep Nelson and Nichushkin focused on shutting down top lines rather than burning all their energy on every single PK.
They also need to monitor the "Olympic Trade Freeze" from February 4-22. With the Olympics eating up three weeks of the schedule, teams might get desperate and move players earlier than usual to avoid the freeze.
Your Next Steps:
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The Avs are tight on cap space. They might look for a "free" upgrade via waivers before the deadline.
- Track Landeskog's Timeline: If he isn't back by the Olympic break, the "LTIR" cap space could allow for a much bigger trade than we currently think is possible.
- Keep an eye on the Rangers: If New York continues to spiral, they will be the primary sellers. Players like Adam Edstrom or even Frank Vatrano (if the price is right) fit the Colorado mold better than a blockbuster Panarin deal.
The 2026 trade deadline isn't about fixing a broken team. It's about perfecting a masterpiece.