Avalanche return strong nucleus from the blue line to the top line and remain a Stanley Cup favorite

DENVER (AP) – Last season: 55-16-11, swept in Western Conference Final.

Key points

• GOALIES: Mackenzie Blackwood (23-10-2, 2.51 goals-against average, .904 save percentage), Scott Wedgewood (31-6-6, 2.02, .921).
• DEPARTURES: GM Chris MacFarland, F Valeri Nichushkin, F Jack Drury, F Ross Colton.
• As usual these days, a heavy Stanley Cup favorite.

DENVER (AP) – Last season: 55-16-11, swept in Western Conference Final. COACH: Jared Bednar (445-262-75 over 10 seasons). SEASON OPENER: Sept. 30 vs. Los Angeles.

DEPARTURES: GM Chris MacFarland, F Valeri Nichushkin, F Jack Drury, F Ross Colton. ADDITIONS: F Jaden Schwartz, D Noah Juulsen, C Fedor Svechkov.

As usual these days, a heavy Stanley Cup favorite. The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy last season for the NHL's top record before being swept out of the playoffs in the conference final by Vegas. Jared Bednar, the franchise's all-time leader in wins, is waiting on an extension as he enters the last year of his accord. President of hockey operations Joe Sakic stepped back into his GM role – the position he held when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup title in 2022 – with the departure of MacFarland to Nashville. Sakic locked up the services of defenseman Cale Makar, the two-time Norris Trophy winner who signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract that's set to create him the highest paid player in the NHL.

For now, avalanche return strong nucleus from the blue line to the top line remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.