The Colorado Avalanche are still smarting from a devastating sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. But behind the scenes, sources close to the organization claim that president of hockey operations Joe Sakic is already playing a long game — one that could define the franchise’s future for years to come.
According to team insiders, Sakic’s approach to the last two trade deadlines has been anything but short-sighted. Instead of chasing rental players for a single playoff push, he reportedly has been building a roster with sustainable firepower — targeting players with term who can contribute well beyond the current season.
“They’ve intentionally gone after guys with multiple years left on their contracts,” a league source familiar with Colorado’s front-office thinking told us. “It’s a methodical shift — one that suggests Sakic sees a window that extends far past just one more run.”
The evidence is hard to ignore. Ahead of the 2024-25 deadline, the Avs added Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and veteran Erik Johnson — moves that bolstered both the attack and defensive depth. Then, at the most recent deadline, Sakic and former GM Chris MacFarland orchestrated the return of Nazem Kadri, a fan favorite and key cog from the club’s 2022 Stanley Cup triumph, along with forward Nicolas Roy.
Though Coyle and Johnson have since moved on, Nelson, Kadri, and Roy are all under contract and projected to be core pieces of the 2026-27 squad. Insiders say this isn’t coincidence — it’s a deliberate blueprint aimed at keeping the Avalanche in contender status while other Western Conference powers retool.
The stakes may be even higher than they appear. With franchise defenseman Cale Makar reportedly seeking a new deal, and with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen already locked into long-term pacts, the pressure is on Sakic to ensure the supporting cast is both talented and cost-controlled. “This isn’t just about next season,” one Western Conference scout told us. “This is about whether they can keep the core together and still have enough left over to win one or two more Cups.”
Will Sakic continue to prioritize players with term over rental upgrades? If the past two years are any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. And if his long-term vision pays off, the Avalanche may not just be contenders — they could be the NHL’s next dynasty.
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