When I first wrote about the Colorado Avalanche’s front office, I was among those who questioned general manager Chris MacFarland’s decision to move on from Mikko Rantanen.
At the time, the trade seemed like a gamble, sending the star forward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Necas, Jack Drury and a handful of draft assets.
Necas has since blossomed into a playmaker who topped the 100‑point mark last season, providing the Avalanche with a new offensive engine.
A Turnaround Revisited
MacFarland’s broader vision has been to build a balanced core rather than cling to past glories, a strategy that has manifested in patient handling of Valeri Nichushkin and Gabe Landeskog, both of whom have returned to form after injury.
Early contract extensions have locked in key contributors, while the roster now features depth at every position, leaving few obvious weaknesses.
Even with a few missteps, such as the Bowen Byram trade, the general manager’s record leans heavily toward success, earning him a nomination for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.
The early criticism now looks misplaced, and the Avalanche’s trajectory suggests they are genuine contenders for the Stanley Cup.