The Colorado Avalanche’s Offseason Challenges
The Colorado Avalanche are grappling not just with the disappointment of their recent playoff exit but also with mounting concerns about one of their star players, Cale Makar. Following a sweeping loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, attention has now shifted from their on-ice performance to the health of the franchise’s key defenseman.
Makar’s Injury Concerns
Reportedly, Makar’s injury—originally sustained during a Game 5 clash against the Minnesota Wild—has raised significant alarms regarding his readiness for the upcoming season. NHL expert Elliotte Friedman provided insight on his podcast, suggesting that Makar’s condition could be quite serious, and questioned whether he would be fit to participate in both training camp and the season opener.
“I’ve heard his injury is pretty significant… I think it’s more of an excuse than anything else,”
Friedman stated. However, he clarified that he did not believe Makar’s injury solely determined the outcome of the series, acknowledging the Golden Knights as the stronger team overall.
The Incident and Its Impact
The incident that led to Makar’s injury appeared rather innocuous; it occurred during the third period when he collided with Mats Zuccarello, subsequently leading him to exit the rink while visibly favoring his right arm. Though he returned to the game that night, it quickly became evident that he was less than 100%. Compounding the issue was a pre-existing hip injury that hampered Makar’s performance throughout the playoff run. Statistically, this was indicative of his struggles; Makar’s production plummeted to five points over the course of 11 playoff games, mirroring the lowest postseason total of his career, including years when the Avalanche were eliminated in earlier rounds.
Looking Ahead
The Avalanche entered the playoffs with championship aspirations, but the sweep at the hands of the Golden Knights has left them with a plethora of questions for the offseason. Not only does head coach Jared Bednar find himself in the final year of his contract, but the team faces an urgent need for improvement in several positions while managing concerns surrounding Makar’s availability.
As the organization looks ahead, the longer Makar’s recovery takes, the more it complicates preparations for training camp and could reshape expectations for the 2026-27 season. The absence of a fully fit Makar at the start of the season would significantly hinder the Avalanche’s goals, casting a long shadow over an already challenging offseason. In light of this, Bednar announced that the team will be releasing more comprehensive information about Makar’s injury status soon, which will be crucial for planning ahead.
