Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Colorado Avalanche News

Blankenburg is expected to make his Colorado debut on Thursday vs. Seattle.

The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators last Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

Nick Blankenburg
Colton (upper-body) is expected to be out vs. Seattle on Thursday.

Colton was limited to only 8:15 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Colton scored a goal before leaving the game, giving him 23 points (8G / 15A) through 60 contests this season. If he is unable to play on Thursday, his next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets.

Ross Colton
Wedgewood will start in Seattle on Thursday.

Mackenzie Blackwood has allowed eight goals on 35 shots (.771 SV%) in his last two games, paving the way for Scott Wedgewood to tend the twine on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has been a pleasant surprise for Colorado all season, but has been exceptionally impressive since returning from the Olympic break, posting a stellar 1.33 GAA and .951 SV% in four games (4-0-0). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as sizable -208 road favourites against a Seattle team on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Scott Wedgewood
Colton (upper-body) left Tuesdays game vs. Edmonton and did not return.

Colton was limited to only 8:15 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Colton scored a goal before leaving the game, giving him 23 points (8G / 15A) through 60 contests this season. An update on Colton should be provided before Colorado returns to action on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken.

Ross Colton
O'Connor (hip) practiced in a non-contact jersey and will travel with Colorado on their upcoming road trip.

O'Connor underwent hip surgery last June and has yet to play this season. He practiced on Tuesday, albeit in a non-contact jersey, an encouraging sign towards his impending season debut. The 29-year-old O'Connor has been a reliable bottom-six forward for several seasons with Colorado. He has 21 points (10G / 11A) in 80 games last season.

Logan O'Connor
Blackwood will start vs. Edmonton on Tuesday.

Blackwood had an awful performance in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%) before being replaced in the second period by Scott Wedgewood, who shut the door in an eventual 5-4 shootout victory over the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood will look to redeem himself on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, whom he has yet to face this season, but struggled against in two 2024-25 meetings (1-1-0), posting a 4.06 GAA and .855 SV%. The Avalanche enter Tuesday's contest as -170 home favourites.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood is expected to start vs. Edmonton on Tuesday.

Blackwood had an awful performance in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%) before being replaced in the second period by Scott Wedgewood, who shut the door in an eventual 5-4 shootout victory over the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood will look to redeem himself on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, whom he has yet to face this season, but struggled against in two 2024-25 meetings (1-1-0), posting a 4.06 GAA and .855 SV%. The Avalanche enter Tuesday's contest as -170 home favourites.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Colorado has acquired Nazem Kadri (20% retained) and a 2027 4th round pick from Calgary for Victor Olofsson, Max Curran, a 2028 1st round pick, and a conditional 2nd round pick.

Kadri's name had circulated in trade rumours for weeks and was finally traded in a last-minute deal before the deadline to a team he had tremendous success with, the Colorado Avalanche. Kadri scored a career-high 87 points (28G / 59A) in 71 games with the Avalanche in the 2021-22 season en route to a Stanley Cup Championship. Now in his age-35 season, Kadri has remained an effective player, scoring 41 points (12G / 29A) in 61 games with Calgary.

Nazem Kadri
Blackwood will start in Dallas on Friday.

In a meeting between the top two teams in the league standings, Colorado will turn to Blackwood on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a solid 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since returning from the Olympic break, continuing an outstanding first full season in Colorado. The Avalanche enter Friday's action as -116 road favourites against a Stars team that is riding a franchise-best 10-game winning streak and has outscored their opposition 19-6 in their last four games.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blankenburg will not make his Avalnache debut on Friday vs. Dallas.

The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

Nick Blankenburg
Roy is expected to make his Avalanche debut vs. Dallas on Friday.

Colorado acquired Nicolas Roy from Colorado for a 2027 1st round pick and a 2026 5th round pick earlier this week and he is expected to make his team debut on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Roy has become a valuable bottom-six center in the NHL and will bring that presence to Colorado as they set their sights on a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old Roy averaged 14:45 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (5G / 15A), 32 blocks, and 61 hits in 59 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nicolas Roy
Blackwood is in the starter's crease at Colorado's morning skate.

In a meeting between the top two teams in the league standings, Colorado will turn to Blackwood on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a solid 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since returning from the Olympic break, continuing an outstanding first full season in Colorado. The Avalanche enter Friday's action as -116 road favourites against a Stars team that is riding a franchise-best 10-game winning streak and has outscored their opposition 19-6 in their last four games.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Colorado has acquired Nicolas Roy from Colorado for a 2027 1st round pick and a 2026 5th round pick.

Roy has become a valuable bottom-six center in the NHL and will bring that presence to Colorado as they set their sights on a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old Roy averaged 14:45 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (5G / 15A), 32 blocks, and 61 hits in 59 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nicolas Roy
The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

Nick Blankenburg