Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche Hockey

The Colorado Avalanche are defending their Stanley Cup. They are the defending champions for the first time since 2001. Jack Johnson baptized his kids with the Stanley cup this summer. Nazem Kadri took the trophy to a mosque in London, Ontario, Canada. The Avs are favorites to win the championship again, but they lost some players this off-season. Their season opener is against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 12.

Darcy Kuemper signed a five-year, $26.25 million deal with the Washington Capitals this summer. The Colorado Avalanche signed New York Rangers backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

Colorado Avalanche have one of the strongest defensive lines in the NHL. Bednar has some flexibility in net. He could choose Georgiev as the starter or Francouz as his second choice.

Kadri had a productive season as the second-line center for the Colorado Avalanche. He signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Flames this summer. Alex Newhook, 21, is expected to replace him.

Bowen Byram has had two concussions in the last two seasons. He was drafted fourth overall in 2019 but has only played 49 NHL games. Byrams is a dynamic defenseman in similar mold to Makar. Colorado Avalanche coach Steve Bednar used three defenders in his power play lineups in preseason.

The Avs take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a repeat of the Stanley Cup Finals matchup at Ball Arena on February 14.