“There’s no excuse. I think if we’re making excuses for that performance, it’s going to be a short [playoff] run,” Bednar said after the 8-6 loss at home to the Canucks, via NHL.com. “We have to play [with effort] for 60 minutes. But we weren’t even close.”

Bednar’s comments aren’t by chance. After a dominant first half of the 2025–26 NHL season, the Avs are now showing cracks in their foundation. MacKinnon remains red-hot—he scored his 50th goal of the season (121 points) against Vancouver—but the team is struggling in other areas.

Avalanche’s concerning form

Indeed, the Avs have won five of their last seven games, but they are just 5-4-1 over their last 10 outings. Moreover, Colorado is looking fragile at home. At Ball Arena in the Mile High City—where the Avs are expected to have a second wind against visiting opponents—the Avalanche have lost five of their last six home games.

As things stand, Colorado is on track to finish the campaign as Presidents’ Trophy champions. That would mean the Stanley Cup Playoffs run through Denver—with MacKinnon’s side enjoying home-ice advantage in every round. Yet if the Avs continue to be a liability on home ice, that advantage could become a burden.

Moreover, the Avalanche have some unfinished business when it comes to the postseason. They’ve had one of the best cores in the league for years, yet aside from their Stanley Cup run in 2022, the Avalanche have never made it past the second round. Colorado could once again run into its kryptonite—the Dallas Stars—in the 2026 playoffs, and there’s no guarantee the Avs would come out of that matchup alive.

Bednar wants Colorado to play with hunger again

Thus, Bednar is wasting no time sending a message to his team. Every dog has its day—that’s a fact. But for a struggling Canucks team to have it against the No. 1 team in the league is something Colorado can’t fathom and won’t let slide.

The Avalanche have eight games left on the schedule. With their playoff spot already secured, these final games will be crucial in helping them find their mojo. If not, as Bednar bluntly warned, the Avs could be headed for another short playoff run.

Colorado should know better—these disappointing endings have a way of snowballing, and sooner or later, the team could find itself buried under an avalanche of heartbreak and self-doubt.

‘It’s a good start… we feel good about the way we’re playing. Making the playoffs is the first step to where you want to go,’ Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said via NHL.com after the team secured its postseason berth.

MacKinnon’s playmaking set the tone early, helping the Avalanche control the game from the opening period, just days after Bednar reacted to Nathan MacKinnon’s criticism as Avalanche make roster move. Martin Necas added a goal and two assists, reaching a career-high 84 points, as Colorado’s top players delivered in a key moment.

MacKinnon continues elite run

MacKinnon extended his point streak to five games, further cementing his role as the engine of Colorado’s offense. His ability to create scoring chances and dictate tempo has been critical as the team pushes toward the playoffs.

The Avalanche dominated early, outshooting Chicago 20-5 in the first period, with MacKinnon at the center of their offensive rhythm. His connection with Necas and other top forwards has helped elevate the team’s consistency down the stretch.

Avalanche peaking at the right time

With 100 points and a playoff spot secured, Colorado is building momentum as the postseason approaches. MacKinnon’s current form, combined with contributions from players like Necas and Valeri Nichushkin, gives the Avalanche a balanced and dangerous attack.

If MacKinnon maintains this level of production, Colorado will enter the playoffs as one of the strongest contenders, with its top star leading the charge at the most important time of the season.

“We’ve got to get to Oettinger more. I feel like all three games we’ve outshot and outplayed them heavily, we’ve just got to find a way to beat that guy,” MacKinnon said after the 2-1 loss on home ice, via Will Petersen of Denver Sports 104.3.

Colorado almost doubled Dallas in shots on goal, as the Avs fired 34 pucks on Oettinger’s net to the Stars‘ 18 on Scott Wedgewood. The Avalanche also dominated at the dot, winning 57.6% of the faceoffs. However, they couldn’t figure out Oettinger—once more.

Not even the fact the Avalanche reacted to MacKinnon’s criticism with a roster move before the game against Dallas changed the tune. The Stars have defeated the Avs once again.

Dallas is proving to be Colorado’s kryptonite

Not only in the Stanley Cup Playoffs—where the Avs are 2-5 in series against the Stars (including two straight eliminations in 2024 and 2025)—but in the regular season, as well. Dallas simply has Colorado’s number. That is a scary thought for the Avalanche, as there is a very real scenario in which they meet the Stars once again in the second round of the postseason.

Whether the Stars play better than the Avs or not seems to be irrelevant. So far in the 2025–26 NHL season, Colorado has outshot Dallas in all three of their meetings. Still, MacKinnon and the Avalanche have a 1-0-2 record to show for it.

Recent playoff history between Stars and Avalanche

On the bright side, Colorado can hang on to the fact that all three games have been decided in a shootout. In the playoffs, shootouts no longer exist. However, sudden-death, 5-on-5 overtime hasn’t been much kinder to MacKinnon and company either.

Since the 2019–20 season, the Stars and Avs have faced each other in three playoff series. Dallas has moved on each time, and whenever a game has gone to overtime, Colorado is 1-4. It seems the Avalanche’s only chance to defeat the Stars is through a blowout, whereas the Texan club excels in tight, low-scoring duels.

Perhaps, the fact Jake Oettinger is in net for the Stars explains the logic behind that statistic. Regardless, MacKinnon has grown sick and tired of falling at the hands of Dallas. Maybe this year will be different. For Colorado, it has to be.

After MacKinnon expressed his frustration with Bednar and the Avs dressing 11 forwards and 7 defensemen on the lineup, Colorado reacted. According to The Denver Post’s Corey Masisak, the Avalanche are recalling a forward and putting together a traditional 12-forward and 6-blueliner lineup.

The Avalanche had been playing an 11/7 lineup since Ross Colton sustained an upper-body injury against the Edmonton Oilers on March 10. Since, Colorado played three games in the NHL campaign, going 1-2-0.

Lineup changes for Colorado

It’s become clear that the Avalanche are better off with 12 forwards and 6 defensemen, so that’s the route Bednar and company are taking. However, most signs indicate Colton will remain sidelined, as he is still considered day-to-day.

Defenseman Nick Blankenburg will be sent down to the minors, as Colorado recalls another forward to fill the open spot on the fourth line. Instead of dressing an extra blueliner and constantly shifting defensive pairings and forward lines, the Avalanche will do what most NHL teams do: roll out established lines.

The Colorado Avalanche’s decision comes at the perfect time. Colorado is set to host the Dallas Stars in a crucial game. The Avs are currently three points clear atop the Central Division NHL. A win over the Stars could go a long way toward securing the division title, while a loss could put their grip on first place at risk.

“We’ve just been making so many mistakes,” MacKinnon admitted postgame, via Guerrilla Sports. “I don’t like [playing] seven defensemen. Different defensive pairs every shift isn’t great. The flow is off for sure.”

MacKinnon’s statement is a clear warning shot for head coach Bednar and the Avalanche. If a team leader like MacKinnon isn’t pleased with the 11/7 lineup, then it should be a wake-up call for the coaching staff. An 11/7 lineup means the Avs are dressing 11 forwards and 7 defensemen.

Why is Colorado playing 11 forwards?

The Avalanche are currently without Ross Colton, who sustained an upper-body injury during Colorado’s 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Colton is considered day-to-day but has now missed three straight games in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Rather than replace him, Jared Bednar has opted to call up defenseman Nick Blankenburg and have him serve as an extra blueliner. The move paid off in the first game, as Colorado defeated Seattle by a score of 5-1.

Avalanche are running into trouble without Colton

However, the Avalanche have dropped consecutive games since, including a disheartening 7-2 loss at home to the Penguins. Perhaps after hearing MacKinnon publicly criticize the coaching decision, Bednar will assemble a 12/6 lineup once again.

Up next, Colorado will take on the Dallas Stars (March 18) in a pivotal game for first place in the Central Division. The Avs can’t afford to give the Stars any advantage, and right now, it seems like playing an incomplete forward line does just that.

“I really don’t give a cr– if their goalie’s hurt. That’s on their defenseman [Darnell Nurse], not on our guy,” Bednar stated after the game, via @GinoHard_ on X. “If you put guys into your own goalie, that’s not a penalty.”

Bednar’s blunt response is nothing new for fans around the NHL who have grown used to his postgame media availabilities. However, his latest message on MacKinnon and the Oilers is one particularly noisy and disruptive. As expected, it didn’t take long for users on social media to react.

Fans’ reaction to the play and Bednar’s statement

As many fans noted, Bednar’s message may have consequences for the Avalanche going forward. “So what he is saying is that it’s open season on his goalie as long as you run into a defenseman first. Ok then,” an user on X said. “He’s not wrong on the Nurse front. It is pretty classless to say that about Ingram,” another fan commented.

It may be a bit of a stretch, but the door could now be open for retaliation. Colorado will visit Edmonton on April 13. It may look like a long way down the road, but that doesn’t change the fact the Oilers may seek some form of revenge. In the NHL, teams don’t forget, and Ingram going down with a concussion won’t sit right with Edmonton for a while.

MacKinnon was handed a game misconduct

While Bednar pleads MacKinnon’s case after the 4-3 loss to the Oilers, there wasn’t much he could do to let him off the officiating’s hook. MacKinnon was assessed a five-minute major for goaltender interference and a game misconduct.

With MacKinnon out of the game for the entire third period, the Avs conceded the decisive goal as Connor McDavid cashed in on a power play at 9:03 of the final frame. Thanks to their captain, the Oilers escaped Mile High City with a statement win.

“Gabriel Landeskog will not play due to a lower-body injury. He is week-to-week,” the Colorado Avalanche announced on their social media, via @Avalanche on X.

After missing the past three NHL regular seasons due to a knee injury, Landeskog made his return during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, setbacks have been a recurring issue for the veteran forward. The latest injury update provided by the Avs is yet another concerning reminder for MacKinnon and company that their captain is far from at his peak form.

So far in the 2025-26 NHL campaign, Landeskog has appeared in 47 games, scoring 9 goals and assisting in 20 more for a total of 29 points.

Colorado can afford to sit Landeskog

Fortunately for the Avalanche, it holds a seven-point lead over the Dallas Stars for first place in the Central Division and the entire NHL standings. Thanks to its star-studded lineup, Colorado can weather the storm if Landeskog is to miss considerable time.

Perhaps, allowing Landeskog to recover is the right procedure for the Avs. So far, MacKinnon and company have shown no signs of slowing down. If they can cruise through the remainder of the regular season, the captain may return fully healthy for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

According to Tankathon, the Avalanche will face the third-easiest remaining schedule based on strength of schedule. With 21 games left in the season, the Avs will face opponents with an average win percentage of .532. Therefore, Landeskog’s absence may affect the team, but it shouldn’t be catastrophic for a squad that is widely favored to go all the way and hoist the Stanley Cup.

While the Minnesota Wild have already presented a formal offer, they are not the only team monitoring the situation. Other potential suitors reportedly include the Colorado Avalanche, the Montreal Canadiens, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Detroit Red Wings, creating a competitive market if the Rangers decide to move the veteran.

One particularly intriguing possibility is Colorado, where Trocheck could form a dynamic partnership with Nathan MacKinnon. According to a report from Emily Kaplan, that’s why Trocheck’s market extends well beyond Minnesota. “There has been plenty of interest from teams other than Minnesota. Trocheck holds a 12-team no-trade list and has said many teams on the West Coast are on it, for family reasons.”

What will be Vincent Trocheck’s next team?

Because of that clause, several West Coast teams are effectively off the list of possible destinations. Another key factor for the player’s next team is Trocheck’s preference to join a Stanley Cup contender if he is ultimately traded.

Trocheck’s condition on West Coast teams

That condition could narrow the field to teams with legitimate championship aspirations, which is why contenders like Colorado and Carolina remain among the most closely watched possibilities as the deadline approaches.

The Red Wings could be a surprise too and the Wild, even as a team of the Western Conference, are clearly in the mix as they’re in different time zone and geographical location compared to other West Coast teams.

The Maple Leafs‘ struggles in the season have now led to another departure. Roy, who had arrived in Toronto in the Mitch Marner trade prior to the campaign, has now been sent to the Avalanche. Not only does the move indicate Matthews and the Buds were on the losing end of that blockbuster trade, but it proves the Leafs are waving the white flag early.

As confirmed by the Maple Leafs through an official statement, Roy has been sent to Colorado, where he will join MacKinnon and the best team in the standings. In return, Matthews’ Maple Leafs will receive a conditional first-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Roy’s numbers with Matthews and Maple Leafs

Although Toronto traded Marner for Roy in a player-for-player exchange, everybody knew it wasn’t an even deal. The Leafs simply had no other choice. If they didn’t accept it, they would lose Marner to free agency with nothing to show for it. Thus, comparing Marner and Roy’s numbers would be like comparing apples and oranges.

So far in the 2025-26 season, Roy has recorded 20 points (5 goals and 15 assists) in 59 appearances. He is under contract at a $3 million cap hit through the 2026-27 campaign. As he joins the Avalanche (currently in first place in the league), Roy could re-connect with his best hockey and help another Western team hoist a Stanley Cup, like he helped the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

Conditional picks in Toronto-Colorado trade

“In the event Colorado’s 2027 first-round selection is in the top-10 of the 2027 NHL Draft, Colorado will send its unprotected 2028 first-round pick to Toronto. Colorado currently holds three fifth-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft; the lowest of those three picks will be transferred to Toronto as part of the transaction,” the Maple Leafs confirmed about the conditional picks involved in Nicolas Roy’s trade.

With MacKinnon’s team set to have Makar, Necas, Landeskog, and others under contract for the 2026-27 season, it is unlikely the Avalanche will finish with a top-10 pick in 2027.

Therefore, all signs suggest Toronto will wind up with Colorado’s first-round selection in 2028. Matthews, whose current deal expires after the 2027-28 campaign, may not even be in “The Six” when that draft selection is made. After a former Maple Leaf put Toronto on high alert over Matthews’ future, concerns about the captain’s departure only grew larger.

Still, there is a significant obstacle tied to geography. According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, Trocheck’s preference could complicate any potential move to Denver. “I don’t know where Colorado fits on the map for Vincent Trocheck. He doesn’t want to go far West.”

That insight makes it clear that while the Avalanche check the contender box, they may not align with the player’s desire to stay closer to the Eastern side of the league. For the New York Rangers, Colorado could theoretically present a competitive trade package if they decide to fully embrace a seller’s role.

Vincent Trocheck trade rumors

Unlike some Eastern Conference suitors, the Avalanche must navigate not only trade value but also Vincent Trocheck’s personal preference. As discussions evolve, the balance between championship opportunity and geographic comfort may ultimately determine whether this pairing with MacKinnon becomes reality or remains speculation.

Vincent Trocheck and the pursuit of a Stanley Cup

The Colorado Avalanche currently stand as the top team in the Western Conference with 91 points, firmly establishing themselves as a Stanley Cup contender. For Vincent Trocheck, joining a roster led by Nathan MacKinnon would mean stepping into a championship-caliber environment with a legitimate path to a deep playoff run.

However, Crosby believes stars should keep going. “It’s the Olympics. It’s an amazing experience just as an athlete, not just a hockey player. I think if you want to look at it just from the hockey perspective, I think it’s incredible. Just the product on the ice, I think the way that fans see the games and just how competitive it is. How it brings everyone together, I think it’s pretty amazing.”

Ultimately, Crosby’s stance highlights the emotional and cultural value of Olympic competition for elite players. While teams may worry about injuries and the strain of a condensed NHL calendar, stars like Sidney Crosby see international play as a defining part of their careers. Team Canada was a reflection of that, with names like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, or Mitch Marner in the roster.

NHL and a tough decision for the Olympics

The NHL’s involvement in the Olympics has long sparked debate among teams, executives and fans. While the global stage offers unmatched exposure for the sport, it also interrupts the league calendar and places added physical demands on stars. As of now, NHL players are set to participate in the 2030 Winter Olympics.

For players like Sidney Crosby, the conversation often comes down to risk versus reward. “Obviously, injuries are part of the game and they come with that, especially at that level with the speed, the intensity and the physicality of the games, but, I think it’s great that guys have the opportunity to go and showcase.”

That balance is at the heart of the dilemma: the Olympic stage elevates the sport, but it also exposes athletes to injuries. Ultimately, the decision reflects a broader vision for the game’s growth. Allowing NHL players to compete in 2030 ensures that fans will once again witness the world’s best facing off under one banner, even if it comes with undeniable challenges.