Despite flying into Vegas the same day, and playing all the way through overtime and into a shootout, the Avalanche still had a full-team practice on Sunday at Family Sports. Everyone was accounted for except for Cale Makar, who had a maintenance day.
READ MORE: 10 Takeaways: The Avalanche Survived Their Mistakes
Why Wedgewood Got the Nod
Scott Wedgewood got the nod in goal despite starting on Tuesday at Ball Arena. This was the first time that head coach Jared Bednar strayed away from alternating his goalies when both are healthy. At first glance, it felt like a sure bet that Mackenzie Blackwood would start. But Bednar had his reasons for why that wasn’t the case.
“He’s a journeyman. Not the Blacky’s not, but I think Wedge, he’s a guy that you can put in cold, not much practice, he’s going to give you everything he’s got,” Bednar said. “He’s had success doing that throughout the course of his career for longer than Blacky. And I just felt like it was the right decision to go with a guy that’s a little bit more used to that sort of scenario, especially the way he’s played for us this year.”
Bednar concluded by saying he’ll be going to Blackwood more often. The Avs host the L.A. Kings and St. Louis Blues on Monday and Wednesday before playing back to back next weekend.
Wedgewood is breaking in new burgundy pads at practice today pic.twitter.com/G9XYEDrGvn
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) December 28, 2025
Third Line Shakeup
The Ross Colton experiment at center is over, at least for now. At Sunday’s practice, the Avs went back to Jack Drury as the 3C between Victor Olofsson and Colton. Gavin Brindley was demoted to the fourth line, joining winger Joel Kiviranta with Parker Kelly shifting to center.
Avs forward lines at a well attended optional practice:
Landeskog – MacKinnon – Necas
Nichushkin – Nelson – Lehkonen
Colton – Drury – Olofsson
Kiviranta – Kelly – Brindley
Bardakov
Looks like the Colton center experience is over for now. Makar is only dman absent from skate
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) December 28, 2025
The Avs have a clear need for one more center and Bednar knows that. But Colton was finally being utilized appropriately as a winger and the shift to center didn’t do his game any good.
I’d expect a bounceback for Colton back in his natural position. His game is best suited on the wing with a defensively responsible centerman.
READ MORE: Postgame Wrap: Avalanche Rally Repeatedly, Top Golden Knights 6-5 in Shootout
Logan O’Connor
Still no update from Bednar on the status of Logan O’Connor. The forward hasn’t played all season and it’s unclear, as of now, when he’ll be able to get in the lineup.
Zakhar Bardakov was the extra forward as usual on Sunday. He got reps in with the fourth line.
