Colorado Avalanche Facing Locker Room Turmoil Amid Star Player's Contract Dispute

No one anticipated that the star-studded Colorado Avalanche would end up dead last in the NHL after four games this season, with a record of 0-4-0. Although they have a lot of injuries, this team still has players like Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar, but they haven't been able to gel in 2024-2025.

With Alexandar Georgiev recording a .803 save percentage and a GAA of 5.79, the team's goaltending is currently their biggest issue, making them the worst in the NHL. Mikko Rantanen and the front office are reportedly at a standstill during contract negotiations, and the team does not want his next deal's AAV to approach MacKinnon's at $12.6 million, while No. 96 wants a deal that is close to that amount. This is another issue that could destroy the locker room.

According to reporter Nick Kypreos in the Toronto Star, with the locker room tense and the team's future very uncertain, Mikko Rantanen's pay disparity with MacKinnon in particular could become a whole new problem. After this season, Rantanen will formally become a UFA. If the team doesn't improve quickly, he may test the waters of free agency. If they don't improve, a trade may be imminent, but for now, Colorado's future is very uncertain.