Author: Evan Rawal evan.rawal@gazette.com
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Top Avalanche prospect Ilya Nabokov has eyes on NHL in first North American season
Is it safe to say the Avalanche haven’t been as excited about a goaltending prospect in years as they are about 23-year-old Ilya Nabokov? “We’re definitely excited,” Avalanche director of player development Brian Willsie said Friday after the first workout of rookie camp. Nabokov, who was drafted 38th overall by the Avalanche in 2024, has…
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Who will carry more pressure in 2026-27: Cale Makar or Nikola Jokic? | Friday Faceoff
Friday Faceoff: Who will carry more pressure in 2026-27: Cale Makar or Nikola Jokic? Evan Rawal, Avalanche reporter Answer: Cale Makar While his record-breaking contract doesn’t kick in for another season, the average fan won’t care. When the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, it was Makar who carried the load for the team.…
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For better or worse, prepare for more hockey expansion | NHL Insider
Thirty-two teams soon will become 34, which surely at some point will become 36. NHL expansion isn’t stopping anytime soon. Whether that’s the right call remains to be seen. Money talks, and money is no doubt talking when it comes to expansion in the NHL. When the Seattle Kraken were approved to join the NHL…
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Broncos put focus on education with launch of Attendance Network initiative | 2026 Broncos Preview
The focus for the Broncos isn’t only on kids staying in school. They want to make sure everyone in attendance gets the most out of their education. And they’re taking action to help. Over the past few years, the Broncos have been learning a lot about the importance of attendance for students in Colorado, something…
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The Lehkonen dilemma, Brindley’s plan and center depth | Avalanche mailbag
Welcome to Evan’s mailbag, where each week Avalanche reporter Evan Rawal answers all your Avalanche- and hockey-related questions. Mailbag questions can be sent to evan.rawal@gazette.com. Do you think they’ll be able to afford Artturi Lehkonen? A lot of Lehkonen questions, which makes sense. With the Cale Makar extension done, Lehkonen is the next big name…
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The Broncos will start… 2-3 in our schedule predictions | 2026 Broncos Preview
Breaking down the 2026 Broncos schedule: Week 1: Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Sept. 14, 6:15 p.m. (ABC) Better to visit Arrowhead in September as opposed to December, but the Chiefs have something to prove after missing the postseason. The pick: Chiefs 17, Broncos 14 (Record 0-1) Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars at Broncos Sunday,…
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Avalanche players and storylines to watch when training camp opens Sept. 17 | NHL Insider
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong got it wrong. For hockey fans, it’s “Wake me up when September starts.” Training camp for the Avalanche begins in two weeks, and with the arrival of September, hockey fans are waking up. Although the richest deal in NHL history helped the final few days of August pass by, the…
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Stability key for Cale Makar’s record-breaking contract with Avalanche: ‘I really wanted that eight years’
Joe Sakic said the Avalanche wanted Cale Makar to finish his career in Denver. The feeling was mutual. “I think for our side, and myself personally, I really wanted that eight years,” Makar said Monday. Sakic, the Avalanche general manager, and Makar, a 27-year-old defenseman, on Monday detailed Makar’s eight-year, $163.2 million extension — the…
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Cale Makar’s megadeal will force Avalanche to adapt to stay on top | Evan’s take
Cale Makar got paid. And with that, the Avalanche will soon have to evolve. By NHL standards, $20.4 million per year is a staggering number. The highest in league history, to be exact. Compared to other leagues, it’s nothing. Former Nuggets forward Peyton Watson just signed a fat new contract in Cleveland that will pay…
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Jarrett Stidham secures backup spot with strong performance vs. Vikings
Jarrett Stidham has been holding down the backup spot behind Bo Nix for much of camp. Nothing that happened in Friday’s preseason finale is likely to change that. With Nix sitting out the Broncos’ 34-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Stidham got the start, just as he did in the preseason opener. The 30-year-old quarterback…