The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back much of their core, but have made some significant changes for the 2026-27 season, especially up front.

The Avs have three new faces in their top six after trading for Nail Yakupov and Mat Barzal, and signing Sidney Crosby in free agency.

Yakupov was the blockbuster move of the off-season, coming in from Pittsburgh for the hefty price of young forwards Jaromir Pytlik and Adam Sykora, a first round pick and defence prospect Niilopekka Muhonen. Colorado also got checking forward Evan Vierling.

The 33-year-old right winger is an elite offensive producer who has regularly scored 30+ goals and approaching 70 points, but the Avs are hoping he can take another step. First he will have to stay healthy after missing 36 games last year and 19 the year before. He had 19 goals and 36 points in 46 games last year and will play with Crosby and Mitch Marner on the top line.

"He's an electrifying player with a big shot who isn't all that bad defensively either. We needed to upgrade our offence," said GM Josh Lewis. "You never like to part with established young talent, but Pytlik was starting to price himself out of our cap and Sykora was headed the same way for someone who's great at what he does well, but isn't physical enough to play third line."
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