A new season means a clean slate for the Colorado Avalanche. The players and head coach Jared Bednar are focused on what is ahead of them as the Avs open the 2026-27 season on Wednesday night.
Despite winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Avalanche’s power play struggled last season. But it’s a different look to start the new season.
READ MORE: Why Colorado Avalanche forward Jaden Schwartz seemed destined to join the team
“You got to learn from it. Last year, power play wasn’t good enough. We got better down the stretch. We were fortunate enough to be such a good team that the power-play troubles and the power play being where we were in the power-play standings didn’t really affect our team …,” Gabriel Landeskog said. “Can’t really afford having a bottom-ranking power play if you want to win. Simple as that. And as much as we try to correct it and try to figure it out, we just couldn’t quite right the ship last year. I thought we got better at times in the playoffs. It looked pretty good, but it’s a new season. We got to move on. We got to move past it.”
The new season brings a fresh look to the power play with a new member on the top unit — T.J. Hughes. The 24-year-old showed up big at training camp and in exhibition to earn a spot on the opening night roster.
“I’m really excited to get started tomorrow and play that game. It’s going to be a great night. Super pumped, opening night, and it’s at Ball too, which is even a little cherry on top. So I’m super excited,” Hughes said.
Hughes added to top power-play unit
Bednar confirmed the young forward will start on the top power-play unit (PP1) with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas and Landeskog.
“He’s good. Yeah, he’s good. He’s a smart player. He seems very comfortable,” MacKinnon said.
Personnel changes — losing Valeri Nichushkin, gaining Jaden Schwartz and Hughes — changed the dynamic of the power-play units. Hughes’ addition could bring the beneficial change that PP1 needed.
READ MORE: Why Cale Makar’s new deal was of high importance to the Avalanche
“We chose him because of his brain, his passing ability, his understanding of the way a power play and offense should work, and the handedness is a big part of it as well,” Bednar said. “We’ve liked what we’ve seen; we like that he’s a right shot. It gives us some different options when we’re moving around to get into really good spots and stay dangerous. He showed us nothing, up to this point, except great play on it in practice and in the game. So we’re going to give that some time and let it work and see what it looks like and go from there.”
Importance of communication on the man-advantage
A new player on the top power-play unit is an adjustment. For MacKinnon, there are essentials to making it successful.
“At the end of the day, it’s up to the five guys on the ice to build chemistry, get on the same page, and yeah, hopefully we have a good year.
“It’s super important. We got guys sometimes that are getting a little quiet, and we need everyone to know what we are doing. And I think communication makes everyone feel very comfortable. More talk, the better,” he said.
The season has yet to begin, but Hughes has shown promise on PP1 in both practice and exhibition.
“They’re (MacKinnon and Landeskog) such good players. They’ve been helping me a lot. I’m just trying to get in spots for them. Being an outlet, being an option for them, and then they’re just so good at making those little plays. Their deception, their smarts and IQ,” Hughes said. “So when it’s time for me to make the play, make that play. A lot of talk and trying to build the chemistry with them, and then having success on the ice.”
Bednar said the power play is a work in progress, but the Avs’ captain is optimistic about how it has been thus far in practice.
“It’s early still, but it’s been a good start. Been fun working together as a unit so far,” Landeskog said. “We know it’s a long season, and the power play, as just like any other parts of your game, is going to go through its ups and downs. And obviously we want to make sure that we’re more ups than downs this year, and learn from last year and see what we can improve on. And yeah, exciting challenge, but I like where we’re at.”
The effectiveness of the new top power-play unit remains to be seen. The first glimpse will come at the home opener on Wednesday night.
