Day 2 of Avalanche camp sharpened defensive structure and 5v5 pressure, with Wedgewood steadier between the pipes as Blackwood sits sidelined. Landeskog set the tone with leadership and a slot goal, Nichushkin showed a sharper stride and heavier shot, and MacKinnon drove the offense with intensity. Burns and Middleton provided blue-line depth, while Toews and Malinski tested veteran pairing chemistry. A mix of veterans and young skaters surfaced as clear depth options ahead of the preseason.

The Colorado Avalanche secured their top goaltending prospect, Ilya Nabokov, by signing him to a two-year entry-level contract. Selected 38th overall in the 2024 NHL draft, Nabokov has made waves in the KHL, helping Metallurg Magnitogorsk clinch the Gagarin Cup and earning accolades as the league's rookie of the year and playoff MVP. Despite his impressive track record, his smaller stature at 6'1" may have contributed to his delayed draft status.

The Avalanche's goaltending situation has become competitive with the acquisitions of veterans Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Blackwood is locked in for five seasons, while Wedgewood’s deal expires after the 2025-26 season. There's speculation that Nabokov might be loaned back to his KHL team for further development, potentially positioning him as a candidate to replace Wedgewood in the 2026-27 season.

Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars exemplifies the structured habits many NHL players adopt to prepare for games. His routine includes a two-hour nap, a specific meal of pasta and salmon, and reviewing pregame notes. This habitual framework helps players enter the right mindset, whether it involves their dressing order or warm-up methods. Other players like Pavel Dorofeyev and Mikko Rantanen also share culinary preferences that reflect their game-day rituals, emphasizing the importance of comfort food.

Furthermore, the psychological aspects of these routines are notable. Players like Scott Wedgewood engage in specific on-ice actions before each period, while coaches such as Pete DeBoer have their own pregame traditions. Such rituals, while sometimes seen as superstitions, are core to their game-day preparations, ensuring they maintain focus and readiness for performance.

Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars relies on a strict routine before games, including a two-hour nap and a specific meal of pasta and salmon. Routines are common among NHL players to help them mentally prepare for games. These can include pre-game meals like Pavel Dorofeyev's pasta with Alfredo or Tomas Hertl's scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Other players have unique rituals, like Scott Wedgewood's tapping of the goalposts or Alex Pietrangelo’s adjusted schedule due to family life. Coaches also engage in routines, with Pete DeBoer's walk through Denver becoming a tradition. Game day preparations can change, but many players maintain a consistent dressing order. Enjoying a nap is key, as is maintaining a relaxed mindset to avoid overthinking, as expressed by goaltender Logan Thompson.