3 Colorado Avalanche bounce-back candidates for 2025-26 feat. Martin Necas

The Colorado Avalanche will be heading into the 2025-26 season with high expectations. After a disappointing loss at the hands of the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Avs are looking to get back into the thick of the cup chase.

To achieve that aim, the Avalanche will need to get contributions throughout their lineup. That’s why three players stand out as ones who must get back to form this upcoming season.

So, here’s a look at the top three Colorado Avalanche bounce-back candidates for 2025-26.

3 Colorado Avalanche bounce-back candidates for 2025-26

#3 Gabriel Landeskog

The Colorado Avalanche captain returned to the ice after nearly three years away from the game. His return for Game 3 of the Dallas series was a welcome boost for the team.

This upcoming season will be an opportunity for Landeskog to bounce back and regain the form that helped Colorado win the 2022 Stanley Cup. The Avs will need his scoring and physical play in their top six.

But beyond that, Landeskog’s leadership will be more than welcome on the ice and in the dressing room.

#2 Brock Nelson

The 36-year-old Brock Nelson was a major trade deadline acquisition last season. While he hardly had a bad showing in Colorado, his six goals and 13 points in 19 games were not quite what fans were expecting.

That’s why Nelson will be looking to get back to his former 70-point self from 2022-23. Nelson had three straight 30-goal seasons and could be poised to get there by playing a full season under coach Jared Bednar.

Nelson will also be playing with other elite-level wingers in Colorado, something he really didn’t have in Long Island. If he can avoid injury and play the full season, Brock Nelson could have a renaissance.

#1 Martin Necas

It might seem interesting to call Martin Necas a bounce-back candidate for the Colorado Avalanche. After all, he scored 11 goals and 28 points in 30 games with the club last season.

However, there was offseason talk about Necas not feeling completely comfortable in Colorado. Considering that Necas is entering the final year of his contract, the 26-year-old forward will be looking to have a big year.

That expectation could push Necas over the 90-point plateau and beyond this upcoming season. Playing with either Nathan MacKinnon or Brock Nelson will also do wonders for Necas as he looks to prove he’s among the NHL’s elite top-line wingers.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan