Denver Gazette beat reporter Evan Rawal joins Meghan Angley to break down the current state of the Avs, starting with the team’s biggest on-ice needs. We dive into what a true playoff 3C should look like, how Colorado can upgrade its depth, and why size does — or doesn’t — matter when projecting postseason success.

We also explore Jared Bednar’s project over the Olympic break, examining what areas of the game the coaching staff is likely digging into and how this evaluation period could shape decisions down the stretch.

From there, the focus shifts to the trade deadline landscape: how aggressive the Avalanche should be, what types of players fit their system, and how Colorado can best leverage its draft picks, prospects, and roster assets. We discuss potential target profiles, market realities, and how the front office might balance short-term Cup pursuit with long-term flexibility.

Finally, we look ahead to Olympic expectations for players like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brock Nelson, and more: which countries could surprise on the international stage, and how the tournament could impact the Avalanche heading into the stretch run.