What Would Make the 2026-27 Season a Success for the Avalanche?
Ok, that’s a stupid question, right? There really isn’t even a question as to what the ultimate goal is for the Colorado Avalanche. It’s the Stanley Cup. Plain and simple. Period.
That’s the standard for a team that has Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Martin Necas on the roster. The championship window is open and needs to be taken full advantage of.
All of us have been asked the question, “How do you define success?” You get a lot of different answers for sure and if only taken very literally in regard to Denver hockey, well the obvious answer is the Stanley Cup.
But, does that really mean that anything less than hoisting the trophy would result in a complete failure of the 2026-27 season?
Probably not.
Colorado went 55-16-11 last season to win the Central Division and advance to the Western Conference Final. That kind of success raises expectations around the team. There are other ways to measure whether the team is making meaningful steps forward, though.
For Colorado, a successful season should absolutely include a deep playoff run but also answer several questions about the future of the roster.
Western Conference Final
Expectations have to begin here. The team has to make it back to the Western Conference Final.
This isn’t a team experiencing a rebuild. They aren’t on the verge of a breakthrough. They are here. The time is now. They are Stanley Cup contenders.
So, making the Western Conference Final is a minimum expectation of this team. They don’t have to do it in the dominant fashion they did last year, but making it is a must.
An early postseason exit would be hard to explain for a team of this caliber.
Gabriel Landeskog Stays Healthy
Landeskog has endured his share of physical challenges. It is possible that nothing would be more encouraging for an individual player than having a relatively healthy full season from Landeskog.
Colorado and its fans already know what MacKinnon and Makar can do. It’s Landeskog who carries some uncertainty. He’s a game-changer, and if his leadership and physical presence could be felt on the ice regularly, it could be what pushes the Avalanche to the championship.
Early reports indicate that the team expects everyone to be healthy by the start of camp. Everyone.
Getting Landeskog through the season and into the postseason healthy would be a victory in itself.
Big Contributions From the Young
Colorado’s future certainly depends on the youth movement. The Avalanche can’t go on indefinitely building around expensive veterans.
Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux should get some opportunities this season and see playing time. There are others who are entering camp looking to build a spot for themselves as well.
Colorado doesn’t need a lot more stars. They just need them to become dependable NHL players.
If the team can finish the year and be able to point out two or three young forwards who have proven capable of filling roles going forward, Joe Sakic will have succeeded.
Future rosters depend on this development and if the team wants to stay competitive long-term, advancing these young players is a must.
Martin Necas Proves 100 Wasn’t a Fluke
Necas found his place, and he thrived. The conversation around him completely changed last year, and now he has to prove it one more time.
With 38 goals and 62 assists last year, Necas made a statement. He doesn’t have to repeat that for the Avs to be successful. He just has to be an elite offensive threat and produce alongside MacKinnon. When the two of them know they can depend on each other it takes a lot of pressure off.
Defenses have to pay attention to Necas and that will open up MacKinnon. The opposite is true. This is a powerhouse that can carry this offense for years.
Goaltending Holds Up
Colorado received strong goaltending last year from the “Lumberyard.” Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood must continue to give the Avalanche their veteran presence and peace of mind, knowing the strength they have in the net.
The regular season will determine how the workload is split between them, but having these two who can share the load is an advantage.
Colorado doesn’t need to have a goalie carry them through four rounds of the playoffs, but it also can’t afford to lose a postseason series because of this position.
The duo performed well last year in the regular season and then fell off a bit in the postseason. If this team knows the goalie position is stronger yet again this year, that will be another major box checked.
So, What is Success?
Easy answer. Winning the Stanley Cup.
The answer with more context? A first-round playoff exit would constitute a failure. Another season that ends among the final four would hurt. A lot. But it would also signal that Sakic has built a roster capable of getting yet another opportunity.
Ultimately, I think that is the dividing line. They don’t have to win the ultimate trophy to be relevant; they do have to contend.
Laura Lambert resides in Wiggins, Colo. with her husband, Ricky and two sons, Brayden and Boedy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado while studying economics. She is an accomplished rodeo athlete and barrel horse trainer along with being a life-long sports fan. Over the years, Laura has been active in journalism in a variety of roles. While continuing to cover western sports and country music, she is currently enjoying expanding her reach into multiple sports including MLB, NHL, NCAA and WNBA. Laura covers the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Avalanche and Rodeo for On SI. You can reach her at lauralambertmedia@gmail.com