Colorado Avalanche News

Makar was used sparingly in the opening days of training camp, wearing a non-contact jersey, but he was a full participant on Tuesday and is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday. The 27-year-old Makar is coming off a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 79 points (20G / 59A) in 75 games, and is fresh off signing a lucrative eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension ($20.4M AAV), making him the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Makar was used sparingly in the opening days of training camp, wearing a non-contact jersey, but he was a full participant on Tuesday. Head Coach Jared Bednar stated he expects Makar to suit up for one of Colorado's upcoming preseason games. The 27-year-old Makar is coming off a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 79 points (20G / 59A) in 75 games, and is fresh off signing a lucrative eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension ($20.4M AAV), making him the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Makar has been battling an offseason lower-body injury that has made his training camp status uncertain. That said, his presence at training camp on Thursday, albeit in a non-contact jersey, is an encouraging sign for Colorado's superstar defenseman. The 27-year-old Makar is coming off a solid 2025-26 campaign, scoring 79 points (20G / 59A) in 75 games, and is fresh off signing a lucrative eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension ($20.4M AAV), making him the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Colorado has added to their minor league defensive depth on Sunday after they announced they had signed Christian Wolanin to a one-year, two-way contract. The 31-year-old journeyman defender joins his 7th NHL organization after spending 2025-26 with Providence (AHL), where he had seven goals and 31 points in 53 games played. He last appeared in the NHL with Vancouver in 2022-23.

Fensore, a third-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, will add some organizational depth to the Colorado Avalanche after signing a one-year deal. The 24-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 35 points (10G / 25A) in 60 games with the Chicago Wolves.

Hinostroza has become a reliable bottom-six forward who will bring his talents to the Colorado Avalanche on a two-year deal. The 32-year-old scored 18 points (6G / 12A) in 65 games split between the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers.

Beckman was drafted 75th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but has only played 23 career NHL games. The 25-year-old forward scored 51 points (30G / 21A) last season in 68 games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL).

Colorado added some reliable depth to their blueline on the first day of free agency, signing Noah Juulsen to a two-year contract worth $2.2 million ($1.1M AAV). The 29-year-old defenseman played 52 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, averaging 13:49 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (1G / 9A).

Schwartz spent the past five seasons with the Seattle Kraken and has opted for a change of scenery, signing a three-year, $9.75 million contract ($3.25M AAV) with the Colorado Avalanche. The 34-year-old veteran forward averaged 16:08 time-on-ice and scored 26 points (11G / 15A) in 50 games with Seattle.

Makar made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season during a brief 12-game stint with the Avalanche. The 25-year-old forward, a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, scored 24 points (14G / 10A) in 52 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) last season and hopes to get a more prominent look in the NHL in 2026-27.