The eve of Avs hockey! 🏒 Jesse Montaño and Meghan Angley are at Family Sports after a busy media day: Erik Johnson’s retirement presser, updates from GM Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar, plus final roster vibes before the season opener in L.A. *On today’s Off Ice:*
- Eric Johnson reflects on his career, legacy in Denver, and what’s next (TV work + a front-office assist).
- Roster/lineup talk ahead of Kings-Avs: Gavin Brindley earns a look out of camp, where he could slot, and why his speed/compete pops.
- Blue line choices: Sam Malinski’s “strong side” comfort vs. left-side reps, pairings to watch, and why depth options calm (most) nerves.
- Waivers & claims: Keaton Middleton clears; Jack Ahcan sticks around (for now); Ilya Solovyov claimed—immigration pending—how that changes the 6/7/8 mix.
- Forward depth chess: Barkov, Brindley, Parker Kelly, and why Jussi “Kivi” Ranta profiles as the ideal 13th.
- League-wide contract shockwaves and how they ripple into the Avs’ ongoing Marty Nečas negotiations.
- Sam Girard’s health/readiness and the room’s mindset after last spring.
Jesse heads to L.A. for opening night coverage and we’ll have the home opener Thursday—every other night hockey is BACK. 🔥 🤝 *Presented by RefiJet* — the faster, easier way to refinance your auto loan. Start today at RefiJet.com. 👇 Sound off in the comments with your Game 1 predictions and your opening-night X-factor! #GoAvsGo#OffIce#GuerillaSports#AvsNation#NHLOpeningNight
