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Like several other franchises, the Colorado Avalanche began as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise, the Quebec Nordiques, for the 1972-73 season. They won one WHA championship (1977) prior to joining the NHL for the 1979-80 season. The Nordiques had moderate success in the NHL, making the playoffs nine times in their 16 seasons; however, they fell short of advancing past the conference finals. Following the 1994-95 season, mounting financial struggles led to the team being sold and relocated to Denver, Colorado, where they became known as the Avalanche. The Avalanche found immediate success by winning the Stanley Cup in their first season after relocation and captured another championship in 2001. More recently, the team won its third Stanley Cup in 2022.

McDavid vs. MacKinnon Art Ross Trophy Race Key to Big Matchup

In a highly anticipated showdown, the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to clash with the Colorado Avalanche for the first time this season. This matchup carries significant weight, especially considering the history between these two teams. For the Oilers, it’s about exercising demons and picking up a win against a top Western Conference opponent. For the Avalanche, it’s about showing their sweep of the Oilers in the 2022 Western Conference Final was not a fluke. As both teams are considered Stanley Cup contenders, their three encounters as the 2023-24 NHL season winds down promise to be intense battles. The personal…

Avalanche Prospect Kovalenko Could Join Team for Playoff Run

With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, any changes the Colorado Avalanche wants to make to their roster must be made within the organization. From players returning from IR/LTIR or signed players currently with other teams like the AHL Colorado Eagles or other leagues. More specifically, this player is currently in the KHL and could debut with the Colorado Avalanche once they return to Denver from their four-game road trip. Nikolai Kovalenko and his team, the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL, were just eliminated in the first round of the 2024 playoffs by SKA in a five-game series,…

Mikko Rantanen’s Reliability Pushes Avalanche

Much has been made about the ridiculous point streaks Nathan MacKinnon has put together for the Colorado Avalanche this season. Don’t look now, but one of the other Avs superstars is in the midst of a pretty impressive streak of his own. Mikko Rantanen has collected at least a point in each of his last 11 games, extending the longest point streak of his career. He had a goal and an assist in helping Colorado overcome a three-goal deficit en route to a 4-3 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, and his recent surge has him flirting with…

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Revisiting the Nazem Kadri Trade

When the Toronto Maple Leafs completed their 2018-19 season, they had failed once again to get past the dreaded Boston Bruins during the first playoff series. When the season concluded, general manager Kyle Dubas had some heavy lifting to do. His defense was weak and, as the general manager, he…

Grading Avalanche’s Trade for Yakov Trenin

The Colorado Avalanche continue to be one of the most active teams ahead of tomorrow’s 3 PM trade deadline. After acquiring Sean Walker and Casey Mittelstadt in separate trades, GM Chris MacFarland strengthened the team’s bottom-six by acquiring Yakov Trenin from the Nashville Predators. Here are the full details of the deal: Trenin is…

Avalanche Strike Key Areas With Trades

While there were many rumors, connections, and possibilities of specific teams looking at certain players heading into Friday, March 8 trade deadline, only a little noise was made, which included the Colorado Avalanche. Many names were linked to backup goaltenders to help Alexandar Georgiev or a “2C” with term to…

 

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Avalanche FAQ

What year were the Colorado Avalanche founded?

The Colorado Avalanche began as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise, the Quebec Nordiques, for the 1972-73 season.

When did the Colorado Avalanche play their first game?

They played their first NHL game (as the Quebec Nordiques) on Oct. 10, 1979, a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Flames. 

Who is the current head coach of the Colorado Avalanche?

Jared Bednar is the current head coach for the Colorado Avalanche.