1. Necas and his next contract are probably going to be the main talking point until we actually get something announced. The longer it goes, the more he\u2019s probably going to get. And this is by design.<\/p>\n
Putting all the Rantanen stuff aside, I\u2019d be happy to see Necas for a number at or below $11 million long term if he\u2019s going to look this good with MacKinnon.<\/p>\n
2. Brock Nelson got a laceration on his wrist after a skate from Bowen Byram came up and caught him between the glove and pad. It looked like it could\u2019ve been disastrous, but he was able to come back and finish the game after getting it looked at. That\u2019s a big, big sigh of relief for Jared Bednar.<\/p>\n
3. Nelson is stuck at one point, which he got on opening night last week. I still believe he\u2019ll finish with a respectable 55\u201370 points for a second line center. That line is a little snakebit at five-on-five right now.<\/p>\n
But what I like most about his usage this year is the added role on the penalty kill. He\u2019s joined forces with Valeri Nichushkin and the pair are playing heavy PK minutes together. Having a second-line center that can play on the PP and PK, and be in big roles on each one, is a nice change.<\/p>\n
I never liked seeing other 2C options only play 12 or 13 minutes on some nights. This is far more appropriate for the role.<\/p>\n
4. Rasmus Dahlin got called for interference for a hit on Nichushkin. When Gabe Landeskog tried to go after Buffalo\u2019s captain after the whistle, Bowen Byram stepped in and was pushing and shoving with his former teammate.<\/p>\n
I always love that part of hockey. When you see friends get caught in the heat of the moment and start to go at each other.<\/p>\n
Another example: Rantanen was called for high sticking Cale Makar on Saturday and felt like there was embellishment after the contact. He was jawing at Makar and the official on his way to the penalty box. MacKinnon came in to say something to Rantanen while he was entering the sin bin.<\/p>\n
5. Speaking of Makar, he\u2019s already got three minor penalties in the first four games. Last season, he had seven in 80 games and the year before, he finished with eight minor penalties in 77 games.<\/p>\n
Neither of his penalties this year have been difference makers for the opposition, but you have to imagine he\u2019s going to get that cleaned up.<\/p>\n
6. Five shots on goal in 13:31 for Victor Olofsson from the third line. He\u2019s also got a dangerous one-timer on the second PP unit and flexed that against Buffalo.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s just so much depth on this team.<\/p>\n
7. Scott Wedgewood through four games as the Avalanche\u2019s starter: 3-0-1, .936 save percentage, and a 1.72 goals-against average.<\/p>\n
8. I think Wedgewood starting 30 games this year is a very real possibility. He\u2019s earned it.<\/p>\n
9. This was the first of 18 afternoon games for the Avalanche this season \u2014 the most in franchise history. I love early games. And I think the NHL should schedule more of these in general.<\/p>\n
10. Well-earned two day break for the Avs after playing every other night for a week. They don\u2019t play any back to backs until Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. It\u2019s a solid early-season schedule.<\/p>\n
![\"Contribute](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CHNS-Tip-Jar.png\")