Colorado Avalanche News

Blackwood will get the first shot at the Avalanches' crease on Wednesday after a strong offseason battle between him and Scott Wedgewood. The 29-year-old missed the start of 2025-26 due to a lower-body injury and was never able to truly reclaim the crease back even after posting a 23-10-2 record alongside his 2.51 GAA and .904 SV%. He hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, who closed out 2025-26 29th in the NHL in goals for with 220.

L'Heureux is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury that he suffered late in the preseason. L'Heureux missed the final two preseason games on Friday and Saturday, and then also missed Sunday's practice session. He's considered day-to-day and will miss Colorado's opener vs. Los Angeles on Wednesday.

O'Connor is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury that he suffered late in the preseason. O'Connor missed the final two preseason games on Friday and Saturday, and then also missed Sunday's practice session. He's considered day-to-day and will now miss Colorado's season opener. T.J. Hughes skated in O'Connor's spot at Sunday's practice and is expected to play on Wednesday.

L'Heureux is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury that he suffered late in the preseason. L'Heureux missed the final two preseason games on Friday and Saturday, and then also missed Sunday's practice session. He's considered day-to-day and questionable to play in the season opener.

O'Connor is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury that he suffered late in the preseason. O'Connor missed the final two preseason games on Friday and Saturday, and then also missed Sunday's practice session. He's considered day-to-day and questionable to play in the season opener. T.J. Hughes skated in O'Connor's spot at Sunday's practice and is expected to play on Wednesday.

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.