Avalanche Players Shine at Olympics, Bringing Fresh Ideas Home

NHL stars return to the Winter Games, offering opportunities for Colorado's top talents to excel and recharge

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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With NHL players back at the Olympics for the first time in over a decade, Avalanche fans have plenty to watch for as their team's top stars compete on the international stage. From Cale Makar finding his scoring touch to Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog bringing home new power play strategies, the Olympic break could provide a much-needed reset and boost for Colorado's Stanley Cup aspirations.

Why it matters

The return of NHL players to the Olympics is a major event for hockey fans, offering a rare chance to see the world's best talents compete against each other on the international stage. For the Avalanche, this break provides an opportunity for their top players to recharge, gain new perspectives, and potentially return to Colorado with fresh ideas to help the team's struggling power play and Makar's shooting accuracy issues.

The details

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has seen his shooting accuracy dip in recent months, connecting on just 27% of his shot attempts since late December compared to 41% earlier in the season. The Olympic break could help Makar clear his head and rediscover his scoring touch while playing alongside other elite talents like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on Team Canada. Meanwhile, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and forward Martin Necas will look to stay healthy while representing Sweden and Czechia, respectively. And Colorado's power play, which has struggled this season, could benefit if Nathan MacKinnon and Makar pick up new strategies from their star-studded Olympic teammates.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy from February 6-23.
  • The NHL regular season paused on February 5 to allow players to compete in the Olympics.
  • The NHL will resume play on February 24, shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Games.

The players

Cale Makar

A star defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who is representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Nathan MacKinnon

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche and a member of the Canadian Olympic hockey team.

Gabriel Landeskog

The captain of the Colorado Avalanche, playing for the Swedish Olympic hockey team.

Martin Necas

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche, competing for the Czech Republic at the 2026 Olympics.

Sidney Crosby

A legendary Canadian hockey player and captain of the Canadian Olympic hockey team.

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What they’re saying

“When asked what three words describe his game, Devon Toews gave the perfect answer: 'Pass to Cale.'”

— Devon Toews (Denver Gazette)

What’s next

The Avalanche will be closely monitoring the health and performance of their players at the Olympics, hoping they can return to the NHL season refreshed and ready to make a push for the Stanley Cup.

The takeaway

The return of NHL players to the Olympics is an exciting development for hockey fans, and Avalanche supporters in particular will be eager to see how their team's top stars perform on the international stage. With Makar, MacKinnon, Landeskog, and Necas all competing, Colorado could benefit from the break in multiple ways - from renewed energy and confidence to potential new strategies for their struggling power play.