The Avs bolstered their depth with the addition, but make no mistake, the Cornell captain had plenty of NHL options. Sam Malinski loves the way Colorado likes to play and wants to grow here.
Cale Makar hilariously debunked Bowen Byram’s earlier claim about what Makar would do with the skills competition money.
“That’s a little delusional. I don’t think he knows how money works.”
Cale Makar wasn’t too familiar with Tate McRae as a performer, but he knew that she was from Calgary too.
His brother Taylor Makar is friends with her brother Tucker.
Hockey has had my whole heart for a very long time. It is a dream and a privilege to join this team. I’m so excited to bring you all along for the ride.
Everyone, please give a huge welcome to the newest member of the
@DNVR_Avalanche
team,
@rightbyroy
!
We are so excited to have Meghan join the squad full-time 👏
Make sure to follow along with her on the DNVR Avs Podcast, social and more!
I’m really proud of Girard for reaching out to get help. It’s brave to destigmatize talking about mental health care and I hope he gets all the help he needs.
Something about Logan O’Connor specifically fighting in Andrew Cogliano’s honor strikes a chord with me. Linemates and undoubtedly close - it was personal.
Andrew Cogliano will join the Avs front office staff. He will assist in a variety of roles, including player development, professional and amateur scouting, as well as working with the Eagles.
Per the team, Val Nichushkin is not practicing today to be with his wife who delivered their baby girl this morning.
Wife and baby are healthy and doing well!
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!!!!! I get criticism but this is personal going out if your way to talk shit on his Instagram posts is not it!!! Did the same crap to Kuemps do better! Like what possesses someone to do this?
#GoAvsGo
It’s National Girls & Women In Sports Day and I’m grateful for all of you who’ve embraced me in this space.
To all who celebrate seeing women in sports and the women who’ve come before me to make it possible. It can be tough some days, but I love it too much to be dissuaded.
Andrew Cogliano weighs in at 0:45 “If that happened in any locker room - especially this one - I know that player would be completely embraced and that's it. We continue to play hockey and be a family.”
Mikko Rantanen became the second Finnish-born player in NHL history to record three consecutive 50-assist seasons. The only other to achieve the feat: Jari Kurri.
Jared Bednar had some quippy things to say tonight.
He compared criticism Nathan MacKinnon faces to criticism Nikola Jokic faces.
“Expectations are so high like listening to the sports radio and everything else,
‘Joker didn't have a great game last night.’
Well, he's been
Asked NHL Senior VP of Communications John Dellapina (a contact for Department of Player Safety requests) for insights into Jordan Eberle's hit on Andrew Cogliano:
"We don’t comment on plays on which we don’t assess supplemental discipline."
Valeri Nichushkin has been placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Loved this bit from Zach Parise on Jared Bednar’s game plan:
“It's almost like he gives you a map of how to win the game... That's how I would describe it. It’s the other team's strengths, weaknesses and how you can try to exploit those different areas.”
“I’m not even thinking about that.”
Nathan MacKinnon thanked everyone who voted for him for the Hart Trophy, but said he’s strictly focusing on the playoffs.
In the last 30 years, Nikita Kucherov (2023-24), Connor McDavid (2022-23), Mario Lemieux (1995-96), Jaromir Jagr (1995-96) and Wayne Gretzky (1993-94) are the only NHLers to record a 130-point season.
Nathan MacKinnon joined that company tonight.
Nathan MacKinnon reached 80 points for the sixth time in his career. The only players in franchise history with six or more 80-point seasons are Joe Sakic, Peter Stastny, Michel Goulet, and Peter Forsberg.
Jared Bednar on having Gabriel Landeskog back for the home opener: "Guys love seeing him. We love checking in with him (to) see how he's doing in his rehab process. He can help keep it light and it's always good to have him around being one of our leaders and the captain of our
I’ve been in Ball Arena since 6 PM because I didn’t change my car clock for daylight savings and thought I was running late while running errands :)
And I’m so excited for the game! That too!
Zach Parise (at 39 years, 216 days) became the oldest player in franchise history with a multi-goal game, besting the previous mark held by Ray Bourque.
I don't have the words. Devastated to hear this. He means so much to this community (DU/Avs/the landscape of Colorado hockey as a whole). My condolences to his family and all who know and love him. He will be so sorely missed and equally loved and remembered.
The Altitude and KSE family are saddened to announce the passing of our friend, Peter McNab. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and the McNab family asks for privacy during this unimaginably difficult time.
Gabriel Landeskog: “Mentally I felt pretty close.” He said it was ultimately the best decision to keep rehabilitating instead of trying to return too soon.
“I still don't know what Drouin’s ceiling is... The trust that we have in him as a staff to be able to play against all the other team's top lines every night, regardless of whether that was with Nate or not with Nate, he's handling it really well.”
Asked Yakov Trenin about Alexandar Georgiev, keying in on the big PK at the end of the 2nd:
“Georgiev was outstanding all series. We’re really proud of him, how he came back to shut up all the haters.”
Jared Bednar on Nathan MacKinnon:
“I love coaching the guy because he brings an intensity and a drive to his game that's unmatched in my opinion...
The streak is a result of all the hard work and dedication that he brings to the game on a nightly basis.”
Nathan MacKinnon on their confidence level: “It’s ok, I guess. We just lost 3 in a row. Not scoring much. Just have to work ourselves out of it.
l wouldn't say it's super high. I mean, it's just natural.
I think when you're not producing and scoring how we usually do - and that
Alexandar Georgiev said he changed his routine a little to reset for Game 2. He took less shots at morning skate to save energy and focus for the game.
I’m thankful for all of you who have supported me on here and the work that I do. None of it would be possible without such a passionate base of hockey people. Thanks for giving me a chance to cover this team and be in this space with you all 🤍
Chris MacFarland described Pavel Francouz’s situation as akin to retirement based on the nature/timing of his injury. Said he’s not currently planning to ramp up to return to play.
Alexandar Georgiev on the Georgie chants in the third period:
“I hear it. It's super fun. The crowd is awesome. I wish I did the job tonight to make a shut out, but they were cheering for us so hard and it’s super fun to be a part of that.”
Jonas Johansson on the chaotic journey of waiver claims: “I was thankful to get the opportunity to come back, honestly. This is where I signed, this is where I wanted to be. I think it's probably the best place in the world right now to play hockey. I'm just happy to be here.”
Peter Budaj is no longer the goaltending coach for the Eagles.
He’ll move to a bigger role with another NHL team.
Justus Annunen loved working with Budaj and credited him for a lot of his growth.
Pavel Francouz will be at Development Camp next week to work with the
Puljujärvi aside, these quotes from Mikko Rantanen are 👀:
“I know that Sakic has been very meticulous about what kind of person someone is off the ice.”
“We don't just take anyone just because they can play if they don't fit in with our locker room and culture."
Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen each found the back of the net for the third straight game, marking the first time in Avs/Nordiques history multiple players have scored in each of the team’s first three games of the postseason.
Cale Makar (2-6—8 in 4 GP) trails only Connor McDavid (1-8—9 in 3 GP) for the most points in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Makar (also 2022) became the 2nd defenseman in NHL history with 8 points through 4 games in a postseason multiple times, joining Bobby Orr (1971 & 1972).