Colorado’s offseason was busier behind the scenes than it appeared. The core remains intact, but the Avalanche reshaped depth, cap space, and staff as they push toward a 2025-26 run. Brent Burns’ addition shores up a right-handed defense core, while cash-saving moves — Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus — clear space for Burns, Kiviranta, and a guardrail of young players. Colorado also locked in Nabokov as a goaltender-in-waiting, kept Manson and Johnson’s presence, and shuffled AHL leadership to align with the NHL club. The club sits with roughly $2.1 million in cap space early, plus flexibility to hold O’Connor out until his return. The plan: carry 14 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies at the start, bank cap space, then target a natural 3C near the trade deadline if needed. The rookie tournament in September will hint at the final depth chart, and patience could pay off as they navigate a tight cap.

Beyond the roster moves, Colorado’s appetite for quiet efficiency stands out. The organization revamped its staff — Hakstol replaces Bennett on the bench, and Popovic and Letestu shift roles in development and the Eagles system — signaling a holistic approach to power plays, coaching, and player development. The path to success remains the same: balance the lineup, protect the core, and leverage cap flexibility to chase late-season upgrades. The message is clear: the Avalanche aren’t sprinting, they’re positioning for a measured, sustainable push toward another deep run.