Colorado Avalanche 2025-26 Player Grades: Gavin Brindley

The offseason has only just begun, and the Colorado Avalanche have a lot on their plates. Staring down salary cap uncertainty and a major extension, the team is looking to restructure its depth in a way that makes sense and gives them cap flexibility.

In that regard, today’s subject in our player grades series is a rising presence in the Avalanche organization. As the Avalanche attempt to address their needs, Gavin Brindley’s 2025-26 season is looking to be a key piece of information.

Production

Brindley suited up for 56 games in his first full season as a pro, and he was solid given the fact that he only averaged 9:33 of ice time. In that time, he scored six times and contributed 13 points, but his offense isn’t really what stood out (we’ll get to that later).

Still, that’s solid production from a guy who barely played. Brindley’s offensive skills are enough that he might earn a prolonged look in a bigger role with a worse team. On an offensive juggernaut like Colorado, Brindley simply tried to make the most of his opportunities and did just that.

Intangibles

Though he is undersized (5-foot-8, 175 pounds), Brindley plays with the kind of tenacity that you need in a bottom-six player. He hustles relentlessly, goes into the dirty areas of the ice, and will outwork anyone he has to in order to come away with the puck.

His game wasn’t necessarily built on a solid two-way foundation, but he showed enough defensive responsibility that he can seemingly be trusted in that role. He’s listed as a center but will ultimately become a full-time winger in Colorado.

Overall Grade: B

Given his role and production level, his grade could be a little higher, but he is dinged simply because he couldn’t beat someone out to stick around full-time. Part of that has to do with his frame. Part of it has to do with a lack of physicality that just comes with his size.

His offense was almost enough to bump up his grade, and if he continues at this trajectory, he should have a much better grade next season. He will need to prove that he can hold up against the rigors of an 82-game season and avoid taking the kind of punishment that smaller forwards shy away from.

A Bigger Role in 2026-27?

With Ross Colton gone via trade and Jack Drury a potential offer sheet candidate, Brindley’s importance to the Avalanche has increased exponentially. He looked ready to take on a permanent bottom-six role before reinforcements arrived and pushed him back to the Colorado Eagles.

Brindley has the tenacity and demeanor to be an excellent fit as a fourth-liner. The fact that he has shown a little potential offensively is only an added perk. As it stands, Brindley should be set for full-time duty in 2026-27, at the very least.