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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 19h

Gavin Brindley earned that opening night spot, and his captain has come away impressed.

“Really pleasantly surprised by him and what he brings to our team.”

Plus a few other notes from opening night, including the impact a captain can have.

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/08/g...

Gavin Brindley’s ‘motor’ earns him a job with the Avalanche on opening night

LOS ANGELES — Gavin Brindley now can legally drink in the United States. He might have celebrated with a cold one after earning a job with the Avalanche. The winger, who was acquired from the Columbu...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Avs with a convincing 4-1 on opening night. Wedgewood was real solid in net and the Avs were opportunistic with their chances.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Wonder why the Avs want Necas to shoot more?

4-0.

Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Martin Necas heard the noise this summer. He ignored it.

“There’s so much stuff I see out there that’s not true.”

He’s focused on showing he’s got yet another gear he can hit in 25-26. The Avalanche know he can.

“Marty, he’s just a special player.”

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/07/i...

Ignoring noise of controversy, Martin Necas ready for next step toward NHL stardom | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

Martin Necas heard the jibber jabber this summer. Of course he did. Rumor mongering does, indeed, travel to the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, all that noise comes with the territory of being an NHL ...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Cale Makar will hear from that man's UFC brother.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Fourth line for the Avs has been putting in the work tonight.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Sam Malinski from the left point sends a shot through a screen and it's 2-0 Avs. Kiviranta had a nice forecheck there.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Martin Necas makes it 1-0 off a great feed by Nathan MacKinnon. Incredible pass by Lehkonen in the NZ to spring MacKinnon in with speed.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Avalanche lines for opening night

Lehkonen - MacKinnon - Necas
Landeskog - Nelson - Nichushkin
Colton - Drury - Olofsson
Kiviranta - Kelly - Brindley

Toews - Makar
Girard - Burns
Malinski - Manson

Wedgewood

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Reposted by Evan Rawal

Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Martin Necas heard the noise this summer. He ignored it.

“There’s so much stuff I see out there that’s not true.”

He’s focused on showing he’s got yet another gear he can hit in 25-26. The Avalanche know he can.

“Marty, he’s just a special player.”

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/07/i...

Ignoring noise of controversy, Martin Necas ready for next step toward NHL stardom | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

Martin Necas heard the jibber jabber this summer. Of course he did. Rumor mongering does, indeed, travel to the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, all that noise comes with the territory of being an NHL ...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Bardakov is indeed scratched.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Gavin Brindley confirms he’s in tonight.

Based off who is left on the ice, Bardakov and Ahcan could be scratches.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 1d

Martin Necas heard the noise this summer. He ignored it.

“There’s so much stuff I see out there that’s not true.”

He’s focused on showing he’s got yet another gear he can hit in 25-26. The Avalanche know he can.

“Marty, he’s just a special player.”

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/07/i...

Ignoring noise of controversy, Martin Necas ready for next step toward NHL stardom | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

Martin Necas heard the jibber jabber this summer. Of course he did. Rumor mongering does, indeed, travel to the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, all that noise comes with the territory of being an NHL ...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

In 24 hours, I’ll be in LA covering the Avalanche season opener.

For the next 2.5 hours, I’ll be watching 007 foil 006’s plans for world domination.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

It's been a revolving door at 2C since Nazem Kadri left. The Avalanche would love for that door to close for a little bit with Brock Nelson signing for 3 years. He's the X-Factor at the moment.

"He looks like he’s at a high level,” Dave Hakstol said.

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/06/b...

Brock Nelson ‘a more comfortable player’ for Colorado’s Stanley Cup pursuit | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

No one in Colorado knows Brock Nelson better than Devon Toews. Toews, the Avalanche defenseman who played with Nelson with the New York Islanders, was in the center’s ear this summer, convincing him t...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Here is the Avs opening night roster.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

The Avalanche are built to win it all, but a lot has to go right for any team to get there.

Five things that must happen for Avalanche to lift the Stanley Cup | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/06/f...

Five things that must happen for Avalanche to lift the Stanley Cup | 2025-26 Avalanche Preview

It’s the hardest trophy in professional sports to win for a reason. For a team to lift Lord Stanley above its head in June, a lot must go right. You need good health, good players and a lot of luck. ...

www.denvergazette.com

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Zakhar Bardakov spoke to the media through a translator today. Said people can call him Z or Bardy.

Said he made the move to North America when the Avalanche told him he had a really good shot at making the team. Looks like Avs should have two rookies in the lineup tomorrow.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Chris MacFarland says they’d like to get something done with Martin Necas and have chatted with his agent, and that’s the update. Won’t get into specifics.

My Necas feature should be up later today. He’s not worried about it right now.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Jussi Parkkila will stay back with Mackenzie Blackwood, who will not play in the opener.

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Reposted by Evan Rawal

Corey Masisak @cmasisak22.bsky.social · 2d

Gavin Brindley said he is playing tomorrow night for the #Avs. Will be his 2nd NHL game, but said it will feel like his first again.

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Reposted by Evan Rawal

Corey Masisak @cmasisak22.bsky.social · 2d

Gavin Brindley said he is going to Los Angeles with the #Avs today. Looks like he has made the opening-night roster.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Sam Girard said the plan all along was for him to take his time to get back for the final preseason game so that he’d be ready for Tuesday.

Said the injury popped up over the summer.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Keaton Middleton is not on the ice today. Jack Ahcan is. Solovyov skated before practice.

Toews - Makar
Malinski - Burns
Girard - Manson
Ahcan

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Mackenzie Blackwood is joining the Avalanche for the start of practice. That's a new development.

Miner and Wedgewood also here.

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Evan Rawal @evanrawal.bsky.social · 2d

Avalanche lines today at practice

Lehkonen - MacKinnon - Necas
Landeskog - Nelson - Nichushkin
Colton - Drury - Olofsson
Kelly - Bardakov - Kiviranta/Brindley

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