Editing Colorado Avalanche (section)

==History==

===Quebec Nordiques (1972–1995)===
{{main|Quebec Nordiques}}
The Quebec Nordiques were one of the [[World Hockey Association]]'s (WHA) original teams when the league began play in [[1972–73 WHA season|1972]]. Though first awarded to a group in [[San Francisco]], the team was subsequently sold and moved to [[Quebec City]] prior to the start of the league's opening.<ref name="whanordiques">{{cite web|title =Quebec Nordiques|url =http://www.whahockey.com/nordiques.html|publisher =WHA Hockey|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> During their seven WHA seasons, the Nordiques won the [[Avco World Trophy]] once, in [[1976–77 WHA season|1977]], and lost the finals once, in [[1974–75 WHA season|1975]].<ref>{{cite web|title =WHA Yearly Standings|url =http://www.whahockey.com/whayearlystandings.html|publisher =WHA Hockey|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> In [[1979–80 NHL season|1979]], the franchise entered the NHL, along with the WHA's [[Edmonton Oilers]], [[Hartford Whalers]], and [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]].<ref>{{cite web|title=From the WHA to the NHL |url=http://www.nhl.com/history/062279.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521152726/http://www.nhl.com/history/062279.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 25, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Nordiques réchauffement 1987-1987.jpg|thumb|left|[[Quebec Nordiques]] warm up for a game in the {{NHL Year|1986}} season. The Avalanche played as the Nordiques from 1972 to 1995.]]
After making the postseason for seven consecutive years, from [[1980–81 NHL season|1981]] to [[1986–87 NHL season|1987]], the Nordiques started to decline. From [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]] to [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]], the team finished last in their division every season, with three of those finishes landing them last in the league. This included a dreadful 12-win season in [[1989–90 Quebec Nordiques season|1989–90]] that is still the worst in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|title =National Hockey League seasons|url =http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html|publisher =The Internet Hockey Database|access-date =July 11, 2007|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081003022451/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html|archive-date =October 3, 2008}}</ref> As a result, the team earned three consecutive first overall draft picks, used to select [[Mats Sundin]] ([[1989 NHL entry draft|1989]]), [[Owen Nolan]] ([[1990 NHL entry draft|1990]]), and [[Eric Lindros]] ([[1991 NHL entry draft|1991]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Entry Draft First Round Selections 1980–89 |url=http://www.nhl.com/futures/firstround80_89.html#89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010127185200/http://www.nhl.com/futures/firstround80_89.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2001 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 25, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Entry Draft First Round Selections 1990–99 |url=http://www.nhl.com/futures/firstround90_99.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124080100/http://www.nhl.com/futures/firstround90_99.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2001 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 25, 2007}}</ref> Lindros made it clear he did not wish to play for the Nordiques,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lindros: Refusal to play for Nordiques 'was about an owner,' not a city |url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1050860-lindros-refusal-to-play-for-nordiques-was-about-an-owner-not-a-city |website=theScore.com |date=June 27, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> to the extent he did not wear the team's jersey for the press photographs, only holding it when it was presented to him.<ref name="lindrosnhl">{{Cite news|title =As expected, Quebec selects Lindros No.1|url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F360039496DAD62&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|agency =Associated Press|date =June 23, 1991|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> On advice from his mother, he refused to sign a contract and began a holdout that lasted over a year. On June 30, 1992, he was traded to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for five players, the rights to Swedish prospect [[Peter Forsberg]], two first-round draft picks, and US$15&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|title =Eric Lindros notes|url =http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8458515&view=notes|publisher =National Hockey League|access-date =February 22, 2010}}</ref> The [[Eric Lindros trade]] turned the moribund Nordiques into a Stanley Cup contender almost overnight, and is seen in hindsight as one of the most one-sided deals in sports history.<ref>{{Cite news|title =The List: Readers Pick Most Lopsided Trades|url =http://static.espn.go.com/page2/s/readers/worstdeals.html|publisher =[[ESPN]]|access-date =July 11, 2007}}</ref> In the first season after the trade, [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]], the Nordiques reached the playoffs for the first time in six years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burfiend |first1=Dustin |title=An Interesting Parallel: '92–'93 Quebec Nordiques |url=https://www.milehighhockey.com/2010/6/3/1498884/an-interesting-parallel-92-93 |website=Mile High Hockey |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=June 3, 2010}}</ref> [[1994–95 NHL season|Two years later]], they won the [[Northeast Division (NHL)|Northeast Division]] and had the second best regular season record during the [[1994–95 NHL lockout|lockout-shortened season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1994–95 Quebec Nordiques Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/QUE/1995.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

While the team experienced on-ice success, it spent most of its first 23 years struggling financially. Quebec City was by far the smallest market in the NHL,<ref name="canadianencyc">{{Cite news|title=Nordiques Move to Colorado |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nordiques-move-to-colorado/ |author=Deacon, James |work=[[Maclean's]] |date=May 6, 1995 |access-date=May 11, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930064119/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0010425 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> and the changing financial environment in the NHL made things even more difficult. In 1995, team owner [[Marcel Aubut]] asked for a bailout from Quebec's provincial government<ref>{{Cite news|title =Quebec's Government Plans Bailout to keep Nordiques from moving|url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5DDC4964DA9E0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|agency =Associated Press|date =April 9, 1994|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> as well as a new publicly funded arena.<ref name="canadianencyc" /> The bailout fell through, and Aubut subsequently began talks with [[COMSAT]] Entertainment Group in [[Denver]], which already owned the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elliott |first1=Helene |title=These Towns Aren’t Big Enough for NHL : Nordiques Sold, Moved to Denver as Small-Market Struggle Intensifie |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-26-sp-6182-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=May 26, 1995}}</ref>In May 1995, COMSAT announced an agreement in principle to purchase the team.<ref name="mediaguidemisc">{{cite web|title =Miscellaneous/Community/Altitude|url =http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_325-336.pdf|publisher =Colorado Avalanche|access-date =June 17, 2007|archive-date =July 10, 2007|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070710054013/http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_325-336.pdf|url-status =dead}}</ref> The deal became official on July 1, 1995, and 12,000 season tickets were sold in the 37 days after the announcement of the move.<ref name="mediaguidemisc" />

COMSAT considered several names for the team, including "Extreme," "Blizzards," and "Black Bears." It also debated whether to brand the team as a Denver team or as a regional franchise representing either Colorado or the entire Rocky Mountain region. Initially, COMSAT filed for copyright protection for "Black Bears",<ref>{{cite book |title=The Name Game: Football, Baseball, Hockey & Basketball How Your Favorite Sports Teams Were Named |last=Donovan |first=Michael Leo |year=1997 |publisher=Warwick Publishing |location=[[Toronto]] |isbn=978-1-895629-74-3}}</ref> but reportedly decided to name the team '''Rocky Mountain Extreme'''. When ''[[The Denver Post]]'' leaked the intended name, fan reaction was so negative that COMSAT reconsidered and chose the name '''Colorado Avalanche'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2014/07/21/rocky-mountain-extreme-supposed-avalanches-original-team-name/18930/ |title=Rocky Mountain Extreme: what was supposed to be the Avalanche's original team name |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=July 21, 2014}}</ref> The new name was revealed on August 10, 1995.<ref name="mediaguidemisc" /> With the move, the newly relocated team transferred to the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/22/nordiques-move-to-denver-finalized/ |title=Nordiques' Move To Denver Finalized |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 22, 1995 |access-date=March 5, 2018 |quote=Lyons said the hockey team, which will play in the Pacific Division, already has sold 7,500 season tickets.}}</ref>

===Colorado Avalanche (1995–present)===

====Early success (1995–2001)====
[[File: Goaltender Patrick Roy playing for the Colorado Avalanche in 1999.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Patrick Roy]] played for the Avalanche from 1995 to 2003.]]
After purchasing the team, COMSAT organized its Denver sports franchises under a separate subsidiary, Ascent Entertainment Group Inc., which went public in 1995. COMSAT retained an 80% controlling interest, with the other 20% available on [[NASDAQ]].<ref name="nuggetscompanyhistory">{{cite web|title =Denver Nuggets – Company History|url =http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Denver-Nuggets-Company-History.html|publisher =Funding Universe|access-date =June 17, 2007}}</ref> The Avalanche played their first game in the [[McNichols Sports Arena]] in Denver on October 6, 1995, winning 3–2 against the [[Detroit Red Wings]]. It marked a return of the NHL to Denver after an absence of 13 years, when the [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]] (not to be confused with the [[Major League Baseball]] team of the [[Colorado Rockies|same name]]) moved to [[New Jersey]] to become the [[New Jersey Devils]]. [[Valeri Kamensky]] scored the first goal as the Avalanche, as well as the game-winning goal in the final minutes.<ref>{{cite web|title=A look back at the Colorado Avalanche's first-ever game in 1995, Stanley Cup win in 1996 |url=https://www.denver7.com/sports/avalanche/a-look-back-at-the-colorado-avalanches-first-ever-game-in-1995-stanley-cup-win-in-1996 |publisher=[[KMGH-TV]]|access-date=June 17, 2022 |date=June 15, 2022|author=Butzer, Stephanie}}</ref> Led on the ice by [[captain (ice hockey)|captain]] [[Joe Sakic]], forward [[Peter Forsberg]], and defenseman [[Adam Foote]] and with [[Pierre Lacroix (ice hockey, born 1948)|Pierre Lacroix]] as the [[general manager]] and [[Marc Crawford]] as the [[head coach]], the Avalanche became stronger when All-Star [[Montreal Canadiens]] goaltender [[Patrick Roy]] joined the team. Roy joined the Avalanche on December 6, 1995, together with ex-Montreal captain [[Mike Keane]] in a trade for [[Jocelyn Thibault]], [[Martin Ručinský|Martin Rucinsky]], and [[Andrei Kovalenko]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Roy gets call he's in Hall |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nhl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23920_4810040,00.html |author=Sadowski, Rick |newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |date=June 29, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210639/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nhl/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23920_4810040%2C00.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====1995–96 Stanley Cup champions=====
The Avalanche finished the regular season with a 47–25–10 record for 104 points, won the Pacific Division, and finished second in the Western Conference. Colorado progressed to the playoffs, defeating the [[Vancouver Canucks]], [[Chicago Blackhawks]], and the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning Detroit Red Wings in the conference finals, all in six games. In the [[1996 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], the Avalanche met the [[Florida Panthers]], who were also in their first Finals. The Avalanche swept the series 4–0. In Game 4, during the third [[overtime (ice hockey)|overtime]] and after more than 100 minutes of play with no goals, defenseman [[Uwe Krupp]] scored to claim the franchise's first [[Stanley Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|title =No stopping the Avalanche – Colorado completes Cup sweep of Panthers with 3OT victory|url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D7A86BE23F7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|author =Ulman, Howard|agency =Associated Press|date =June 11, 1996|access-date =March 25, 2007|archive-date =June 9, 2011|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110609205058/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D7A86BE23F7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status =dead}}</ref> Joe Sakic was the playoff's scoring leader with 34 points (18 goals and 16 assists),<ref name="playoffsl">{{cite web|title=Leading playoff scorers by year |url=http://www.nhl.com/cup/scorers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412121452/http://www.nhl.com/cup/scorers.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |publisher=[[National Hockey League]] |access-date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> winning the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]]. The 1995–96 Cup was the first major professional championship won by a Denver team. The Avalanche are the only team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup their first season after a move, and only the second team to win a championship their first season after a move in any of the four major North American sports leagues, following the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[Washington Commanders]]. They also became the second team from the WHA to win the Cup.<ref name="mediaguidemisc" /> With the Cup win, Russians [[Alexei Gusarov]] and Valeri Kamensky, and Swede Peter Forsberg became members of the [[Triple Gold Club]], the exclusive group of ice hockey players who have won [[Ice hockey at the Olympic Games|Olympic gold]], [[Ice Hockey World Championship|World Championship gold]], and the Stanley Cup.<ref name="triplegoldclub">{{cite web|title=Triple Gold Club |url=http://www.iihf.com/archive/TGC.pdf |publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]] |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629011234/http://www.iihf.com/archive/TGC.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref>

In [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], Colorado won the Pacific Division again as well as the [[Presidents' Trophy]] for finishing the regular season with the best record in the NHL, at 49–24–9 for 107 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Presidents' Trophy Winners|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/presidents.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref> The team was also the NHL's best scoring with an average of 3.38 goals scored per game. The Avalanche met the two lowest scorers of the Western Conference in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks and the [[Edmonton Oilers]], defeating them in six and five games, respectively.<ref name="nsf">{{cite web |title=1997 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Summary|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_1997.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref> During a rematch of the previous year conference finals, the Avalanche lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games.<ref name="nsf" /> Detroit went on to sweep the [[1997 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] just as the Avalanche had done the year before.<ref name="nsf" /> [[Sandis Ozoliņš|Sandis Ozolinsh]] was elected for the NHL's first All-Star team at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – Sandis Ozolinsh |url=https://www.hhof.com/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11247 |website=hhof.com |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030616/https://www.hhof.com/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11247 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Joe Sakic 1997.jpg|thumb|upright|In 1997, the Avalanche matched an offer sheet on [[Joe Sakic]], instigating salary raises throughout the NHL.]]
As a free agent during the summer of 1997, Joe Sakic signed a three-year, $21&nbsp;million offer sheet with the [[New York Rangers]]. Under the [[collective agreement]] in place at the time between the NHL and [[National Hockey League Players' Association|NHL Players' Association]] (NHLPA), the Avalanche had one week to match the Rangers' offer or let go of Sakic. Colorado would match the offer,<ref name="Legends of Hockey">{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11437 |title=Joe Sakic Page |access-date=April 9, 2007 |publisher=Legends of Hockey |year=2007 |author=Legends of Hockey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929154056/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11437 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which instigated a salary raise for NHL players.<ref name="TSN about the CBA">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/story/print/?id=99378|title=Three key contracts helped kill the CBA|access-date=February 22, 2010|publisher=The Sports Network|year=2004|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

The Avalanche sent nine players representing seven countries, as well as head coach Marc Crawford representing Canada, to the [[Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|1998 Winter Olympics]] in [[Nagano, Nagano|Nagano]], Japan.<ref name="only">{{cite web|url=http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/2008_09_CA_MediaGuide_rev.pdf|title=Colorado Avalanche at the 1998 Winter Olympics|pages=218|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714180523/http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/2008_09_CA_MediaGuide_rev.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alexei Gusarov and Valeri Kamensky won the silver medal with [[Russia men's national ice hockey team|Russia]], and [[Jari Kurri]] won bronze with [[Finland men's national ice hockey team|Finland]].<ref name="recordbook">{{cite web|title =Franchise Records|url =http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_163-220.pdf|publisher =Colorado Avalanche|access-date =June 17, 2007|archive-date =July 10, 2007|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070710054010/http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_163-220.pdf|url-status =dead}}</ref>

In the following season, Colorado won the Pacific Division with a 39–26–17 record for 95 points. The team lost in the conference quarterfinals against the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, having led the series 3–1.<ref name="neseason" /> Peter Forsberg was the NHL's second-highest scorer in the regular season with 91 points (25 goals and 66 assists) and was elected for the NHL's First All-Star Team.<ref name="neseason">{{cite web |title=1997–98 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/1998.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> After the end of the season, head coach Marc Crawford rejected the team's offer of a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=From |last2=Reports |first2=Wire |title=Avalanche Says That Crawford Quit Job |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-28-sp-54138-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 15, 2018 |date=May 28, 1998}}</ref> [[Bob Hartley]] was hired to the head coach position in June 1998.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |agency=Associated Press |title=N.H.L.: COLORADO; Hartley Picked To Coach Avalanche |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 3, 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/03/sports/nhl-colorado-hartley-picked-to-coach-avalanche.html |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

In [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]], with the addition of the [[Nashville Predators]], the NHL realigned their divisions, moving the Avalanche to the new [[Northwest Division (NHL)|Northwest Division]]. Despite a slow 2–6–1 start, Colorado finished with a 44–28–10 record for 98 points, won the Division and finished second in the Western Conference. Between January 10 and February 7, the Avalanche had their longest ever winning streak with 12 games.<ref name="recordbook" /> Following the [[Columbine High School massacre]], Colorado postponed their first two playoff games to a later date; they would wear patches in honor of the Columbine victims on their jerseys during the playoffs. The series was altered to a 2–3–2 format as a result of the tragedy.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |agency=Associated Press |title=HOCKEY; In Denver, Games Are Called Off |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/22/sports/hockey-in-denver-games-are-called-off.html |access-date=July 18, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=April 22, 1999}}</ref> After defeating both the [[San Jose Sharks]] and the Detroit Red Wings in six games in the first two rounds, Colorado met the Presidents' Trophy-winning [[Dallas Stars]] in the conference finals, where they lost in seven games. Forsberg, the playoffs' leading scorer with 24 points (8 goals and 16 assists),<ref name="playoffsl" /> was again elected to the NHL's First All-Star team, and [[Chris Drury]] won the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] for the best rookie of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2018 |title=The 10 least-deserving NHL award winners of the past 20 years |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/24148830/nhl-10-least-deserving-nhl-award-winners-last-20-years-weekly-reader-puck-headlines-more |access-date=November 22, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Both Drury and Hejduk were elected to the [[NHL All-Rookie Team]] at the end of the season.

[[File:Denver Pepsi Center 1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Pepsi Center]] opened as the Avalanche's new home arena in 1999.]]
It was in the [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000 season]] that the Colorado Avalanche played their first game in the new [[Pepsi Center]], which cost US$160&nbsp;million.<ref name="ksepepsicenter">{{cite web|title =KSE/Pepsi Center|url =http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_299-312.pdf|publisher =Colorado Avalanche|access-date =June 13, 2007|archive-date =October 30, 2008|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081030114008/http://downloads.avalanche.nhl.com/other/pdf/321134_CA_MG_299-312.pdf|url-status =dead}}</ref> Milan Hejduk scored the first goal of a 2–1 victory against the [[Boston Bruins]] on October 13, 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine|title =2001 NHL All-Star Game – Pepsi Center Facts|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2001/all_star/pepsi_center/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20010807125414/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2001/all_star/pepsi_center/|url-status =dead|archive-date =August 7, 2001|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date =June 17, 2007}}</ref> The Avalanche finished the season with a 42–28–11–1 record for 96 points, winning the Division. Before the playoffs, the Avalanche strengthened their defense for a run towards the Stanley Cup by acquiring [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] defenseman [[Ray Bourque]] and [[forward (ice hockey)|forward]] [[Dave Andreychuk]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-07-sp-6401-story.html|title=Bourque Traded to the Avalanche|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 7, 2000|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref> Bourque, who had been a Bruin since [[1979–80 NHL season|1979]], requested a trade to a contender for a chance to win the Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bourque relishes memory of winning Stanley Cup |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/ray-bourque-celebrates-stanley-cup-anniversary/c-280915150 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> However, Colorado lost in the conference finals against the Dallas Stars in seven games after defeating the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] and Detroit Red Wings in five games.<ref>{{cite web |title=1999-00 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/2000.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1998–99 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/1999.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref>

The Avalanche's success came amid considerable turmoil in the front office. COMSAT's diversification into sports ownership was proving a drain on the company. Cost overruns associated with the construction of Pepsi Center had shareholders up in arms. Finally, in 1997, COMSAT agreed in principle to sell Ascent to [[Liberty Media]].<ref name="nuggetscompanyhistory" /> However, Liberty was not interested in sports ownership at the time (though it has since purchased [[Major League Baseball|Major League Baseball's]] [[Atlanta Braves]]), and made the deal contingent upon Ascent selling both the Avalanche and Nuggets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://extras.denverpost.com/sports/asc0223a.htm | title=Sports News: The Denver Post}}</ref>

After almost two years, Ascent sold the teams to [[Wal-Mart]] heirs [[Bill Laurie|Bill]] and [[Nancy Walton Laurie|Nancy Laurie]] for $400&nbsp;million. However, a group of Ascent shareholders sued, claiming the sale price was several million dollars too low. Ascent then agreed to sell the teams to Denver banking tycoon Donald Sturm for $461&nbsp;million.<ref name=Press>{{cite web |last1=Schley |first1=Stewart |title=Stan Kroenke's full-court press: six years after swooping in to rescue the Nuggets and Avalanche, the unassuming... |url=https://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-colorado/1181899-1.html |website=AllBusiness.com |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121150630/https://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-colorado/1181899-1.html |archive-date=November 21, 2007 |date=June 1, 2006}}</ref>

A new wrinkle appeared when the City of Denver refused to transfer the parcel of land on which Pepsi Center stood unless Sturm promised to keep the Avalanche and Nuggets in Denver for at least 25 years. Sturm had made his bid in his own name, and the city wanted to protect taxpayers in the event Sturm either died or sold the teams. While Sturm was willing to make a long-term commitment to the city, he was not willing to be held responsible if he died or sold the teams. After negotiations fell apart, Liberty bought all of Ascent, but kept the Nuggets and Avalanche on the market.<ref name=bizjournal>Moore, Paula. [http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2000/07/17/story4.html Why one deal went smoothly]. [[Denver Business Journal]], July 17, 2000.</ref>

Finally, in July 2000, the teams and the Pepsi Center were bought by real estate entrepreneur [[Stan Kroenke]], and brother-in-law to the Lauries, in a $450&nbsp;million deal,<ref name="nuggetscompanyhistory" /> with Liberty retaining a 6.5% interest. As part of the deal, Kroenke placed the teams into a trust that would ensure they stay in Denver until at least 2025.<ref name=bizjournal /> After the deal, Kroenke organized his sports assets under [[Kroenke Sports Enterprises]].

=====2000–01 Stanley Cup champions=====
The [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]] was the best season the team has ever had due to phenomenal play by the all-time leading scorer in Avalanche history, Joe Sakic. The Avalanche won the Division and captured their second Presidents' Trophy after having finished the regular season with 52–16–10–4 for 118 points. Sakic finished the regular season with 118 points (54 goals and 64 assists), only three behind [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]]'s 121 points. On February 4, 2001, the Avalanche hosted the [[51st National Hockey League All-Star Game|51st NHL All-Star Game]]. Patrick Roy, Ray Bourque, and Joe Sakic played for the North American team, who won 14–12 against the World team, which featured Milan Hejduk and Peter Forsberg. All but Hejduk were part of the starting lineups.<ref name="recordbook" /> Before the playoffs, the Avalanche acquired star defenseman [[Rob Blake]] and center [[Steven Reinprecht]] from the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in exchange for [[Adam Deadmarsh]], [[Aaron Miller (ice hockey)|Aaron Miller]], and their first-round [[2001 NHL entry draft|2001 draft]] pick.<ref>{{cite news|title =Kings take Avs' Aulin to complete Blake trade|url =http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72313179.html|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110624034921/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72313179.html|url-status =dead|archive-date =June 24, 2011|author =Sadowski, Rick|newspaper =Rocky Mountain News|date =March 23, 2001|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:StanleyCupAvs2000-01Engraved.jpg|thumb|right|The engraved names of the [[2001 Stanley Cup Finals|2001 Stanley Cup]] champions, the Colorado Avalanche.]]
In the playoffs, Colorado swept their conference quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks. In the conference semifinals, the Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings in seven games, after having wasted a 3–1 lead. After the last game of the series, Peter Forsberg underwent surgery to remove a [[ruptured spleen]] and it was announced he would not play until the following season. The injury was a huge upset for the team—former NHL goaltender [[Darren Pang]] considered it "devastating... to the Colorado Avalanche".<ref>{{Cite news|title =Doctor: Full recovery is expected|url =http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2001/2001/0510/1194333.html|agency =Associated Press|publisher =[[ESPN]]|date =May 10, 2001|access-date =June 17, 2007}}</ref> The team would overcome Forsberg's injury; in the conference finals, Colorado defeated the [[St. Louis Blues]] 4–1 and progressed to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they faced the defending champion New Jersey Devils. The Avalanche came back from a 3–2 series deficit and won the series 4–3, marking the second year in a row that the defending champions lost in the Finals, as the Devils themselves defeated the Dallas Stars in [[2000 Stanley Cup Finals|2000]]. After being handed the Cup from [[NHL Commissioner]] [[Gary Bettman]], captain Joe Sakic immediately turned and gave it to Ray Bourque, capping off Bourque's 22-year career with his only championship.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Avalanche beat Devils to capture Stanley Cup|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup01/games/2001-06-09-njcol.htm|author =Allen, Kevin|website =USA Today|date =June 10, 2001|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> Sakic was the playoffs' leading scorer with 26 points (13 goals and 13 assists).<ref name="playoffsl" /> He won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], given to the NHL's most valuable player during the regular season; the [[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy]], awarded to the player that has shown the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with performance in play; the [[Ted Lindsay Award|Lester B. Pearson Award]]; and shared the [[NHL Plus/Minus Award]] with [[Patrik Eliáš|Patrik Elias]] of the Devils. Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the [[most valuable player|MVP]] of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Winners|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-conn-smythe-trophy-winners-complete-list/c-287709808|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 24, 2018|date=January 1, 2017}}</ref> [[Shjon Podein]] was awarded the [[King Clancy Memorial Trophy]] for significant humanitarian contributions to his community, namely his work on charitable organizations and his own children foundation.<ref>{{cite web|title=2000–01 King Clancy Memorial Trophy – Podein, Shjon |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=KCT&year=2000-01 |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=June 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930081239/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=KCT&year=2000-01 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ray Bourque and Joe Sakic were elected to the NHL's First All-Star Team. Rob Blake was elected to the Second All-Star Team.<ref>{{cite web |title=MacKinnon Named To NHL's Second All-Star Team |date=June 21, 2018 |url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/nathan-mackinnon-named-to-nhls-second-all-star-team/c-299148784 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Avalanche Team History |url=http://www.go.rauzulusstreet.com/hockey/nhl/team_history.php?name=COL&year=1979 |website=go.rauzulusstreet.com |access-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115071251/http://www.go.rauzulusstreet.com/hockey/nhl/team_history.php?name=COL&year=1979 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Remaining competitive (2001–2010)====
In the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], Colorado finished the regular season with 99 points from a 45–28–8–1 record, winning the Northwest Division. Colorado had the league's lowest goals conceded: 169, an average of 2.06 per game. The NHL season was interrupted by the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in [[Salt Lake City]]. The Avalanche had nine players representing six countries. [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]] won the [[Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics|ice hockey tournament]], with Rob Blake, [[Adam Foote]], and Joe Sakic won gold medals. [[United States men's national ice hockey team|American]] Chris Drury took home a silver medal.<ref name="recordbook" /> With the win, Blake and Sakic became members of the Triple Gold Club.<ref name="triplegoldclub" /> The Avalanche advanced through the first two rounds of the playoffs, winning 4–3 against the Los Angeles Kings and 4–3 against the San Jose Sharks. Patrick Roy had a shutout on the decisive game of each series.<ref>{{Cite news|title =2002 Colorado Avalanche Team Preview|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/17/2002_avalanchepreview/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20020920101400/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/17/2002_avalanchepreview/|url-status =dead|archive-date =September 20, 2002|author =Dolezar, Jon A.|publisher =[[CNN Sports Illustrated]]|date =September 17, 2002|access-date =July 10, 2007}}</ref> The Avalanche made the conference finals for the fourth consecutive season (and sixth overall in the last seven seasons), meeting the Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs for the fifth time in seven years. Colorado had a 3–2 lead after five games, but lost Game 6 at home, 2–0, and Game 7 in Detroit, 7–0. As in 1997, Detroit went on to win the [[2002 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup]]. Peter Forsberg was the playoffs' leading scorer with 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists).<ref name="playoffsl" /> Roy won the [[William M. Jennings Trophy]], given to the goaltenders of the team with fewest goals scored against. Roy and Sakic were both elected to the [[NHL All-Star team|NHL's First All-Star Team]], with Rob Blake elected to the Second All-Star Team.

The following season, [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]], saw the Avalanche claim the NHL record for most consecutive division titles, nine,<ref name="divtitrec">The 1994–95 Division title was won while the franchise was still in Quebec and together with the eight titles the Avalanche won between 1995 and 1996 and 2002–03 makes the record number of nine consecutive division titles</ref> breaking the Montreal Canadiens' streak of eight titles from 1974 to 1982.<ref>{{Cite news|title =NHL Hockey: Colorado Avalanche Team Report|url =http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99870515.html|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110624034930/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99870515.html|url-status =dead|archive-date =June 24, 2011|publisher =[[The Sports Network]]|date =April 10, 2003|access-date =June 17, 2007}}</ref> The division title came after a bad start by the team, that led to the exit of head coach Bob Hartley in December.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Roy, Avs put clamps on Red Wings|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/games/2003-02-06-avalanche-redwings_x.htm|author =Allen, Kevin|website =[[USA Today]]|date =February 6, 2003|access-date =June 17, 2007}}</ref> General manager Pierre Lacroix promoted assistant coach [[Tony Granato]], who had only three months of coaching experience as an assistant, to the head coach position.<ref name="quenneville">{{Cite news|title =Avs make bench switch to Quenneville|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/avalanche/2004-07-07-avs-coaching-change_x.htm|author =Marshall, John|agency =Associated Press|date =July 7, 2004|access-date =June 17, 2007 | work=USA Today}}</ref> The team's playoff spot seemed in doubt at one point, but the Avalanche managed to finish with 105 points, ahead of the Vancouver Canucks by one. The race to the title was exciting, namely the second-to-last game of the season, as the Avalanche needed to win the game to stay in the race, and Milan Hejduk scored with ten seconds left in overtime to defeat the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Colorado 4, Anaheim 3 |url=http://sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20030404_COL@ANA |publisher=CBS Sportsline |date=April 5, 2003 |access-date=May 6, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031006162926/http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20030404_COL%40ANA |archive-date=October 6, 2003}}</ref> The title was guaranteed in the final day of the regular season, when the Avalanche defeated the St. Louis Blues 5–2 and the Vancouver Canucks lost against the Los Angeles Kings 2–0.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Avalanche win game, Northwest; Hejduk gets 50th |url=http://sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20030406_STL@COL |publisher=CBS Sportsline |date=April 6, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040720162106/http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20030406_STL%40COL |archive-date=July 20, 2004}}</ref> In the conference quarterfinals, the Avalanche blew a 3–1 series lead over the [[Minnesota Wild]], losing in overtime in Game 7.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title = Minnesota 3, Colorado 2|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/recaps/2003/04/22/col_min/|archive-url =https://archive.today/20120715205351/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/recaps/2003/04/22/col_min/|url-status =dead|archive-date =July 15, 2012|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 22, 2003|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> Peter Forsberg won the [[Art Ross Trophy]] for the leading scorer of the regular season, which he finished with 106 points (29 goals, 77 assists). Forsberg also won the Hart Memorial Trophy for the regular season's most valuable player, and shared the [[NHL Plus/Minus Award]] with teammate Hejduk. Hejduk scored 50 goals to win the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]], awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in the NHL. Forsberg was elected to the NHL's First All-Star Team; Hejduk was elected to the Second All-Star Team.

Patrick Roy retired after that season, and the team signed star wingers [[Paul Kariya]] from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and [[Teemu Selänne|Teemu Selanne]] from the San Jose Sharks.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Patrick Roy retires after 18 years |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/patrick-roy-retires-after-18-years-1.399142 |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=May 28, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013194014/http://cbc.ca/canada/story/2003/05/28/roy_retires030528.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title =Avalanche sign Kariya, Selanne to one-year deals|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2003/07/03/avs_signings_ap/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20040926060903/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2003/07/03/avs_signings_ap/|url-status =dead|archive-date =September 26, 2004|agency =Associated Press|date =July 3, 2003|access-date =March 25, 2007 | publisher=CNN}}</ref> Both struggled during their first season with the team—Kariya spent most of the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]] injured and Selanne scored only 32 points (16 goals and 16 assists) in 78 games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Passion is back for Selanne |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_5422098,00.html |author=Sadowski, Rick |newspaper=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |date=March 16, 2007 |access-date=May 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201348/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0%2C1299%2CDRMN_83_5422098%2C00.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> There were doubts if goaltender [[David Aebischer]] could perform at the top level the team was used to while having Roy.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title =Colorado Avalanche – Fortunately, a souped-up offense will boost the scoring because Patrick Roy is gone|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/magazine/10/07/avalanche/index.html|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110622114815/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/magazine/10/07/avalanche/index.html|url-status =dead|archive-date =June 22, 2011|author =Cannella, Stephen|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date =October 3, 2003|access-date =July 10, 2007}}</ref> Having "nine elite players",<ref>{{Cite news|title =2003–2004 NHL Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche|url =http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/nhlseasonpreview/a/03_04avalanche.htm|author =Fitzpatrick, Jamie|publisher =[[About.com]]|date =September 2, 2003|access-date =June 17, 2007|archive-date =January 23, 2008|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080123185128/http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/nhlseasonpreview/a/03_04avalanche.htm|url-status =dead}}</ref> "the most talented top six forwards on one team since the days of the Edmonton Oilers"<ref>{{Cite news|title=Avs' silver lining has a cloud |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=2003pvw/col |author=Heika, Mike |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=September 24, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050125184030/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=2003pvw%2Fcol |archive-date=January 25, 2005}}</ref> was not good enough as the franchise failed to win the Northwest Division title, ending the NHL record streak. The 40–22–13–7 record was good enough for 100 points, one less than the Northwest Division champion Vancouver Canucks. This ended a streak of nine consecutive division titles dating to the team's last year in Quebec.<ref name="his" />

During a game against Vancouver on March 8, 2004, Canucks player [[Todd Bertuzzi]] [[Todd Bertuzzi–Steve Moore incident|punched]] Colorado's [[Steve Moore (ice hockey)|Steve Moore]] from behind, leaving Moore unconscious. It was said to be retaliation for a hit Moore had delivered to Canucks captain [[Markus Näslund|Markus Naslund]] the month before.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Avalanche player May enjoys new surroundings |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nhl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23920_5567449,00.html |author=Sadowski, Rick |newspaper=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |date=June 2, 2007 |access-date=June 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220937/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nhl/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23920_5567449%2C00.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Moore sustained three fractured [[Cervical vertebrae|neck vertebrae]], among other injuries caused by the hit and subsequent pile up, ending his career.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Moore seeks further damages from Bertuzzi|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2006-03-07-moore-bertuzzi_x.htm|agency =Associated Press|date =March 7, 2006|access-date =June 18, 2006 | work=USA Today}}</ref> Bertuzzi was away from professional hockey for 17 months as a result of suspensions.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Simon suspended minimum of 25 games|url =https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2794638|agency =Associated Press|date =March 12, 2007|access-date =June 18, 2007}}</ref> In Denver, after the Moore hit, it became tradition for the home fans to boo Todd Bertuzzi every time he gained possession of the puck, whenever his team faced the Avalanche at Pepsi Center.

In the [[2004 Stanley Cup playoffs|2004 playoffs]], Colorado won the conference quarterfinals against the Dallas Stars in five games, but lost in the conference semifinals against the Sharks in six games. Joe Sakic was, once again, elected to the [[2004 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2004 All-star team]], winning the [[NHL/Sheraton Road Performer Award]], and became the first Avalanche player ever to be chosen as game [[Most valuable player|MVP]], when he scored a [[hat-trick]].<ref name="recordbook" /> In July 2004, [[Joel Quenneville]] was hired for the position of head coach, replacing Tony Granato, who became his assistant.<ref name="quenneville" />

The [[2004–05 NHL season]] was canceled because of an [[2004–05 NHL lockout|unresolved lockout]]. During the lockout, many Avalanche players played in European leagues.<ref name="nhleuropelockout">{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=9951&hubname=|title=NHLers in Europe|publisher=TSN|access-date=October 31, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613200214/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=9951&hubname=|archive-date=June 13, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> David Aebischer returned home with [[Alex Tanguay]] to play for Swiss club [[Hockey Club Lugano|HC Lugano]]; Milan Hejduk and Peter Forsberg returned to their former teams in their native countries, [[HC Pardubice]] and [[Modo Hockey]]. Nine other players from the roster played in Europe during the lockout.<ref name="nhleuropelockout" />

After the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|2004–05 lockout]] and implementation of a salary cap, the Avalanche were forced to release some of their top players. Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote were lost in free agency to save room in the cap for Joe Sakic and Rob Blake.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Sakic, Blake to stay; Forsberg, Foote up in air|url =https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2116068|agency =Associated Press|date =July 26, 2005|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> Although the salary cap was a blow to one of the highest spenders of the league,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Winners, losers, undecided in wake of free-agent frenzy |url=http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8790788 |author=Goldstein, Wes |publisher=CBS Sportsline |date=August 31, 2005 |access-date=March 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001013057/http://sportsline.com/nhl/story/8790788 |archive-date=October 1, 2005}}</ref> the team finished the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 regular season]] with a 43–30–9 record for 95 points, good enough to finish second in the Division, seven behind the [[Calgary Flames]] and tied with the Edmonton Oilers. The season paused in February for the [[Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2006 Winter Olympics]] in [[Turin]], Italy. The Avalanche sent a league-leading 11 players from eight countries.<ref name="only" /> [[Finland national men's ice hockey team|Finalnd]]'s [[Antti Laaksonen]] earned the silver medal, while [[Ossi Väänänen|Ossi Vaananen]] ended up not playing because of an injury; Milan Hejduk won a bronze medal with the [[Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team|Czech Republic team]].<ref name="recordbook" /> In the conference quarterfinals, Colorado defeated Dallas Stars team that had the second-best record in the conference, in five games. The team was swept in the conference semifinals by the [[Anaheim Ducks]].

The next day, Pierre Lacroix resigned after service as GM since 1994 and [[François Giguère]] was hired as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Lacroix steps down as Colorado GM|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/avalanche/2006-05-12-lacroix-resigns_x.htm|agency =Associated Press|date =May 12, 2006|access-date =March 25, 2007 | work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title =Avs hire Giguere as team's general manager|url =https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2456902|agency =Associated Press|date =May 24, 2006|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> Lacroix remained president of the franchise until spring 2013, when the team owner's son, Josh Kroenke, took over as team president and governor. Pierre Lacroix remained an advisor to the team until his death in 2020 from [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/9262650/pierre-lacroix-stepping-avalanche-president|title=Lacroix stepping down as Avalanche president|date=May 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=James |title=Pierre Lacroix, former Avalanche GM, dies at age 72 |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/12/13/pierre-lacroix-former-avalanche-gm-dies-at-72/ |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=ProHockeyTalk |date=December 13, 2020}}</ref>

By the beginning of the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]], Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk were the only two remaining members from the 2000–01 Stanley Cup-winning squad, with Sakic being the only one from the team's days in Quebec, though Hejduk ''was'' drafted by the Nordiques. [[Paul Stastny]], son of Nordiques legend [[Peter Šťastný|Peter Stastny]], also provided a link to the franchise's past. Before the previous season's playoffs, in a move reminiscent of Patrick Roy's trade, the Avalanche traded Aebischer to the Montreal Canadiens for the [[Vezina Trophy]]-winning [[José Théodore|Jose Theodore]].<ref>{{Cite news|title =Theodore traded to Avs, Aebischer goes to Canadiens|url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2006-03-08-theodore-aebischer_x.htm|agency =Associated Press|date =March 8, 2006|access-date =June 22, 2007 | work=USA Today}}</ref> However, the move would not turn out to be as successful when Theodore posted a 13–15–1 record in 2006–07, with an .891 [[save percentage]], and 3.26 [[goals against average]] (GAA). His US$6&nbsp;million salary became a heavy burden for the Avalanche in the salary cap era.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Buyouts? New deals? Which way do teams lean during free agency?|url =https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=frei_terry&id=2912001|author =Frei, Terry|publisher =[[ESPN]]|date =June 21, 2007|access-date =June 22, 2007}}</ref> That same season saw an 11-year sell-out streak of 487 home games ended on October 16, 2006, in a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks, that saw the Pepsi Center under capacity by 326 seats.<ref name="selloutstreak">{{Cite news|title =Avs see sellout streak get away|url =http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_4503924|author =Frei, Terry|website =The Denver Post|date =October 17, 2006|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref> The sell-out streak was an all-time NHL record for the longest consecutive attendance sell-outs at home games with 487; and began on November 9, 1995, on the Avalanche's eighth regular season home game during the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]] at the [[McNichols Sports Arena]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Avalanche Reaches 500th Sellout in Denver |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=318947&page=NewsPage&service=page |publisher=Colorado Avalanche |date=January 20, 2007 |access-date=March 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012115039/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=318947&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> The record has since been broken by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who saw their own streak end in October 2021 at 633 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skrbina |first=Paul |title=Nashville Predators' sellout streak ends at 192 |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2021/10/26/nashville-predators-sellout-streak-ends-192-game-nhl-attendance/8562088002/ |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref>

The Avalanche missed the playoffs for the 2006–07 season, missing it for the first time since [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]], when they were still in Quebec. The team had a 15–2–2 run in the last 19 games of the season to keep their playoffs hopes alive until the penultimate day of the season. A 4–2 loss against the Nashville Predators on April 7, with former player Peter Forsberg assisting the game-winning goal scored by another former player, Paul Kariya, eliminated Colorado from the playoff race.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche Box Score – April 7, 2007 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/200704070COL.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 26, 2018}}</ref> As consolation, the team won the last game of the season against the Calgary Flames the following day and finished fourth in the Northwest Division and ninth in the Western Conference with a 44–31–7 record for 95 points, one less than eighth-seeded Calgary. Nonetheless, the result was greater than expected by hockey pundits; ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' previewed before the start of the season that the Avalanche would finish 13th in the Western Conference.<ref>{{Cite news|title =Western Conference – SI predicts how they'll finish|url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/hockey/nhl/specials/preview/2006/09/26/rankings.western.preview/index.html|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20061027162216/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/hockey/nhl/specials/preview/2006/09/26/rankings.western.preview/index.html|url-status =dead|archive-date =October 27, 2006| publisher=CNN|date =September 26, 2006|access-date =July 10, 2007}}</ref> During that last game of the season, Joe Sakic scored a goal and two assists and became the second-oldest player in NHL history to reach 100 points, behind only [[Gordie Howe]], who had 103 points at age 40 in the [[1968–69 NHL season|1968–69 season]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=STAPLETON |first1=ARNIE |title=Sakic Reaches 100 Points As Avs Win |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/08/AR2007040801332.html?noredirect=on |access-date=November 15, 2018 |date=April 9, 2007}}</ref> During the season, Paul Stastny set an NHL record for longest point streak by a rookie, with 20 games,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Stastny Named To NHL All-Rookie Team |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319888&page=NewsPage&service=page |publisher=Colorado Avalanche |date=June 14, 2007 |access-date=June 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012021240/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319888&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> three more than the previous record, held by Teemu Selanne<ref>{{Cite news|title=Stastny Breaks NHL Rookie Record |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319023&page=NewsPage&service=page |publisher=Colorado Avalanche |date=March 11, 2007 |access-date=June 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012115044/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319023&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> and [[Kārlis Skrastiņš|Karlis Skrastins]] set a new NHL record for the longest game streak by a defenseman, with 495 games.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Skrastins' Record Streak Ends at 495 |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319005&page=NewsPage&service=page |publisher=Colorado Avalanche |date=February 25, 2007 |access-date=June 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012130918/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319005&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> Until the Avalanche's 2006–07 season, no team in the history of the NHL had ever made it to 95 points without earning a spot in the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Avs Win Season Finale |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319057&page=NewsPage&service=page |agency=Associated Press |date=April 8, 2007 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012003927/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=319057&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> In the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern Conference]], three teams progressed to the [[2007 NHL playoffs|playoffs]] with fewer than 95 points: the New York Rangers (94), the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] (93) and the [[New York Islanders]] (92).

[[File:RyanSmyth.jpg|thumb|upright|The Avalanche signed [[Ryan Smyth]] prior to the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]].]]
For the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], the Avalanche signed two free agents: defenseman [[Scott Hannan]] and left winger [[Ryan Smyth]]. These acquisitions filled the team's needs and were expected to help make an impact in the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Numbers Game: Rocky Mountain Way |url=https://www.tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=212692 |author=Cullen, Scott |publisher=[[The Sports Network|TSN]] |date=July 3, 2007 |access-date=February 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622111012/https://www.tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=212692 |archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> On February 25, 2008, unrestricted free agent Peter Forsberg signed with the Avalanche for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/forsberg-returns-to-avalanche/c-426949 | title=Forsberg Returns to Avalanche}}</ref> A day later, at the trade deadline, they re-acquired defenseman Adam Foote from the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] as well as Ruslan Salei from the Florida Panthers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Behold your father's Avs |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/02/26/behold-your-fathers-avs/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=November 26, 2018 |date=February 26, 2008}}</ref> In the conference quarterfinals, Colorado defeated the Minnesota Wild in six games.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Avs win playoff series vs. Wild|url=http://www.denverpost.com/katrina/ci_8985052|author=Adrian Dater|website=The Denver Post|date=April 20, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref> In the conference semifinals, however, the Avalanche were swept<ref>{{Cite news|title=Detroit dumps Avs from postseason|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9124885?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com|author=Adrian Dater|website=The Denver Post|date=May 2, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref> by the eventual [[2008 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Red Wings capture Stanley Cup|url=http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_9482725|author=Adrian Dater|website=The Denver Post|date=June 5, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref>

On May 9, 2008, the Avalanche announced that Joel Quenneville would not return to coach the team next season. Two weeks later, Tony Granato was named head coach of the Avalanche for the second time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tony Granato returning as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tony-granato-returning-as-head-coach-of-the-colorado-avalanche/c-364087 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

The [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] was the worst season the Avalanche had since moving to Denver.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Avalanche's decline has left fans disillusioned |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/04/06/colorado-avalanches-decline-has-left-fans-disillusioned/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=November 15, 2018 |date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> Posting a record of 32–45–5, finishing 15th in the Western Conference (28th overall), and recording the fewest points since their days in Quebec during the 1979–80 season.<ref name="wseason">{{cite web |title=The 2008–09 Avalanche season |url=http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/223770/Colorado_Section2.pdf |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043416/http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/223770/Colorado_Section2.pdf |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Avalanche missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons. It would be the first time in Avalanche history the team's top scorer would score less than 70 points on the season, as Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth would register only 59 points each.<ref name="wseason" /><ref>{{cite web |title=2008–09 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/2009.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> On April 13, 2009, just one day after the end of the season, the Avalanche relieved Francois Giguere of his general manager duties.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Avalanche fire GM Giguere |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2009/04/13/avalanche-gmfiring |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> Colorado would go on to receive the highest draft pick in Avalanche history, third overall.<ref name="2009 Draft">{{cite web|title=Avs Select Seven Players at 2009 Draft|url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avs-select-seven-players-at-2009-draft/c-432118|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 24, 2018|date=June 27, 2009}}</ref> That pick turned out to be [[Brampton Battalion]] star [[Matt Duchene]].<ref name="2009 Draft" />

[[File:Colorado Avalanche Playoffs!.jpg|thumb|left|Members of the Avalanche celebrate a win against the [[Vancouver Canucks]], clinching the eighth and final Western Conference seed for the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs]].]]
In the 2009 off-season, the Avalanche named [[Greg Sherman]] the new general manager and [[Joe Sacco (ice hockey)|Joe Sacco]] the new head coach.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Greg Sherman Named Avalanche GM |url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=424793 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606123520/http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=424793 |archive-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12519305|title=Avs hire Sacco as head coach | work =The Denver Post | date =June 4, 2009 | access-date =June 4, 2009 | first=Adrian | last=Dater}}</ref> The following month, top scorer Ryan Smyth was traded to the Los Angeles Kings and Joe Sakic, the only team captain the Avalanche had ever known, retired after 21 seasons in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sakic-less Avalanche start to rebuild – NHL.com – News |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/m_news.htm?id=498700 |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> The Avalanche named Adam Foote as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=September 11 |first1=CBC Sports · |title=Foote replaces Sakic as Avalanche captain|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/foote-replaces-sakic-as-avalanche-captain-1.815189 |website=CBC |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> Sakic's jersey retirement ceremony took place on October 1, 2009, before the season opener at home against the San Jose Sharks where the Avalanche won 5–2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharks vs. Avalanche – Game Recap – October 1, 2009 |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/291001017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224121934/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/291001017 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |website=ESPN |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> The Avalanche started the season off strong until the [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010 Winter Olympics]] break in Vancouver. Three Avalanche team members played in the Winter Olympics – Paul Stastny for the United States, Ruslan Salei for [[Belarus men's national ice hockey team|Belarus]] and [[Peter Budaj]] for [[Slovakia men's national ice hockey team|Slovakia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511980|title=Stastny named to US Olympic Team | publisher =National Hockey League | date =January 1, 2010 | access-date =April 7, 2010}}</ref> Following the Winter Olympics, the Avalanche struggled but eventually clinched a playoff spot with 95 points on the season, a 26-point improvement from the previous year's effort, and good enough for eighth place in the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300406022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411225234/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300406022|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2010|title=Avalanche vs. Canucks Recap | publisher =ESPN | date =April 6, 2010 | access-date =April 7, 2010}}</ref> The Avalanche fell in the conference quarterfinals to the top-seeded [[San Jose Sharks]] in six games.<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 NHL Playoffs – Conference Quarterfinals – Sharks vs. Avalanche – ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/matchup/_/teams/sharks-avalanche |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224121927/http://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/matchup/_/teams/sharks-avalanche |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

Stan Kroenke purchased full ownership in the NFL's [[History of the St. Louis Rams|St. Louis Rams]] in 2010. Since the NFL does not allow its owners to hold majority control of major-league teams in other NFL cities, Kroenke turned over day-to-day control of the Nuggets and Avalanche to his son, Josh, toward the end of 2010. Kroenke had to sell his controlling interest in both teams by 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5496516|title=Stan Kroenke is new Rams owner|date=August 25, 2010|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wertheim |first1=L. Jon |title=THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN SPORTS ... YOU HAD NO IDEA, DID YOU? STAN KROENKE |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2012/11/19/106255876/the-most-powerful-man-in-sports--you-had-no-idea-did-you-stan-kroenke |website=Vault |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

In 2010, the Avalanche made it to the playoffs but lost in the conference quarterfinals 4–2 against San Jose.<ref>{{cite web |title=2009–10 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/2010.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> Joe Sacco finished third in [[Jack Adams Trophy]] voting that season.

====Decline (2010–2017)====
In the 2010–11 season, the Avalanche saw their worst season yet since moving to Denver. They only had 68 points in the standings and had winless streaks after the All-Star break.<ref name="los">{{cite web |title=2010–11 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/2011.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2010–11 Colorado Avalanche Schedule and Results |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/COL/2011_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> They finished 29th in the 30-team NHL, besting only their division mates, the Edmonton Oilers.<ref name="los" /> [[Matt Duchene]] set a franchise record as the youngest scoring leader in Quebec/Colorado history with 67 points, sharing the club goals-leader title with [[David Jones (ice hockey)|David Jones]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Duchene's curious contract with Colorado |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/puck-daddy/matt-duchene-curious-contract-colorado-154559198--nhl.html |website=sports.yahoo.com |date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> Former Avalanche player Peter Forsberg attempted a comeback in the NHL with Colorado mid-season. However, after two games, no points and compiling a [[Plus–minus (sports)|plus-minus]] rating of −4, Forsberg announced his retirement from professional hockey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forsberg halts comeback, retires from hockey |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6121071 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=February 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Forsberg Stats |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/f/forsbpe01.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref> Captain Adam Foote also retired after the final game of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Avalanche captain Adam Foote shares his thoughts on retirement |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/04/08/avalanche-captain-adam-foote-shares-his-thoughts-on-retirement/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=April 8, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Gabriel Landeskog in 2012 cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gabriel Landeskog]] during his rookie season. Landeskog was selected second overall in the [[2011 NHL entry draft]].]]
In the off-season, Colorado had two first-round picks. Present at the draft, former Avalanche great Joe Sakic served his first duties as new alternate governor and adviser of hockey operations of the club. With their first pick, second overall, they selected [[Gabriel Landeskog]], the young captain of the [[Ontario Hockey League]]'s [[Kitchener Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avalanche Selects Landeskog in First Round |url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-selects-landeskog-in-first-round/c-567088 |website=NHL.com |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Avalanche Draft History at hockeydb.com |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr00005307.html |website=www.hockeydb.com |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> Second, they selected defenseman [[Duncan Siemens]] 11th overall, a pick acquired from the St. Louis Blues in the controversial trade that sent power-forward [[Chris Stewart (ice hockey, born 1987)|Chris Stewart]], long time top prospect [[Kevin Shattenkirk]] and a second-round pick to the Blues in exchange for their first-round pick, veteran [[Jay McClement]] and [[2006 NHL entry draft|2006]] former first overall pick, [[Erik Johnson]]. A complete overhaul at the goal-tending position sent Peter Budaj to the Montreal Canadiens and [[Brian Elliott]] to St. Louis, Elliott having been acquired from the [[Ottawa Senators]] for [[Craig Anderson (ice hockey)|Craig Anderson]] during the team's downward spiral the season previous. Goaltender [[Semyon Varlamov]] was dealt to Colorado from the [[Washington Capitals]] in exchange for a first and second pick, while veteran netminder and former Conn Smythe Trophy winner [[Jean-Sébastien Giguère]] was signed as a free agent in hopes to mentor the young Varlamov. Duncan Siemens was sent back to his major junior team, the [[Saskatoon Blades]] in camp, while [[Gabriel Landeskog]] made the opening night roster against the Red Wings on October 8, 2011, at Pepsi Center. Adam Deadmarsh was promoted from video/developmental coach to offensive assistant coach after [[Steve Konowalchuk]] accepted a job as head coach in the minor league.

Peter Forsberg's number 21 became the fourth jersey number retired by the Avalanche on opening night, a contest Colorado would lose to Detroit 3–0. Colorado redeemed themselves in game two of the season on October 10, 2011, against the [[2011 Stanley Cup playoffs|2011 Stanley Cup]] champion [[Boston Bruins]]. Varlamov negated all 30 shots registered by Boston and posted the fifth shutout of his career and first win as an Avalanche in the regular season. Milan Hejduk scored the game-winning goal and first goal of the season for the club in a 1–0 victory over the defending champions. In April 2012, the Avalanche were eliminated from playoff contention and finished 11th place in the Western Conference. Despite a 20-point improvement from last season's efforts, the team failed to reach the playoffs for the second-straight year, the first time the club history since their move to Denver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047788|title=Scores for the 2012 season pre playoffs|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Head coach Joe Sacco signed a two-year contract extension shortly after the end of the season. Stand out rookie Gabriel Landeskog overtook Matt Duchene as the youngest in franchise history to lead the team in goals, scoring 22 in 82 games.

Having resigned most of their free agents, the club wouldn't see much change in the 2012 off-season, with the exception of losing unrestricted free agents [[Peter Mueller (ice hockey)|Peter Mueller]], Jay McClement and [[Kevin Porter (ice hockey)|Kevin Porter]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Mueller not given qualifying offer by Avalanche |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2012/06/25/peter-mueller-qualifying-offer/10891/ |website=All Things Avalanche |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> Colorado would add [[Greg Zanon]], [[John Mitchell (ice hockey, born 1985)|John Mitchell]] and high scoring winger [[P. A. Parenteau]] to its roster.<ref>{{cite web |title=Avalanche sign P.A. Parenteau to $16&nbsp;million deal; add John Mitchell |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/07/01/avalanche-sign-p-a-parenteau-to-16-million-deal-add-john-mitchell/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=August 31, 2019 |date=July 1, 2012}}</ref> Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche's lone representative at the 2012 NHL Awards, won the Calder Memorial Trophy, joining Chris Drury, Peter Forsberg and Peter Stastny for earning top rookie honors for the Avalanche.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gabriel Landeskog wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/20/gabriel-landeskog-wins-calder-trophy-as-nhl-rookie-of-the-year-2/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=August 31, 2019 |date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>

On September 4, 2012, Gabriel Landeskog was named the fourth captain of the Avalanche. [[Milan Hejduk]] relinquished the captaincy a week earlier.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gabriel Landeskog succeeds Milan Hejduk as Colorado Avalanche captain |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/09/04/gabriel-landeskog-succeeds-milan-hejduk-as-colorado-avalanche-captain/ |newspaper=Denver Post |access-date=June 20, 2019 |date=September 4, 2012}}</ref> At 19 years and 286 days old, Landeskog became the youngest captain in NHL history at that time, being 11 days younger than when [[Sidney Crosby]] was named captain of the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] at 19 years and 297 days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gabriel Landeskog OK losing his place in history |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gabriel-landeskog-ok-with-no-longer-being-youngest-captain-in-history/c-282505950 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref>

After a disappointing [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]] which saw the Colorado Avalanche finish 15th in the Conference and 29th overall in the League, it was announced on April 28, 2013, that head coach Joe Sacco had been relieved of his duties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_23126661/joe-sacco-fired-coach-colorado-avalanche |work=The Denver Post |first=Adrian |last=Dater |title=Joe Sacco fired as coach of Colorado Avalanche after four NHL seasons |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429054706/http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_23126661/joe-sacco-fired-coach-colorado-avalanche |archive-date=April 29, 2013}}</ref> On May 10, it was announced that former long-time Avalanche captain and Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Sakic would be named Executive Vice President of hockey operations, overseeing all matters involving hockey personnel. It was also announced that Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan Kroenke, was named President of the Avalanche, succeeding Pierre Lacroix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=670167&navid=nhl:topheads|title=Sakic will have final say in new Avalanche role|publisher=National Hockey League}}</ref> On May 23, Patrick Roy returned to the Avalanche as head coach and Vice President of hockey operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/home/articles/895928-avs-name-patrick-roy-new-head-coach|title=theScore|website=thescore.com|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615203657/http://www.thescore.com/home/articles/895928-avs-name-patrick-roy-new-head-coach|archive-date=June 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although Sherman retained his role as general manager, he was largely reduced to an advisory role. Roy and Sakic shared most of the duties held by a general manager on most other NHL teams, though Sakic had the final say on hockey matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/joe-sakic-named-avs-gm--sad-ballad-of-greg-sherman-continues-161203387.html|title=Joe Sakic named Avs GM, sad ballad of Greg Sherman continues|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|author=Wyshynski, Greg|date=September 20, 2014|accessdate=October 6, 2014}}</ref> The Avalanche held the top overall pick in the [[2013 NHL entry draft|2013 NHL draft]], which they used to draft [[Nathan MacKinnon|Nathan Mackinnon]], who had previously played against the team that Patrick Roy had coached in the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]].

Under Roy, in [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]], the Avalanche returned to the playoffs, finishing first in the Central Division and second in the Western Conference, but would lose a seven-game series to the [[Minnesota Wild]] in the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|first round]]. Nonetheless, for his outstanding job as a first-year coach, Roy won the [[Jack Adams Award]] for the NHL's top coaching honors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/avalanches-roy-wins-jack-adams-award/c-723700|title=Avalanche's Roy wins Jack Adams Award|author=Roarke, Shawn |accessdate=October 5, 2022|date=June 25, 2014|publisher=NHL.com}}</ref>

Just prior to the start of the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], Sakic was given the title of general manager while Sherman was demoted to assistant GM, formalizing the ''[[de facto]]'' arrangement that had been in place since 2013.<ref>Dater, Adrian. [http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2014/09/19/joe-sakic-now-full-gm-title-avalanche-greg-sherman-assistant-gm/19401/ Joe Sakic now has full GM title with Avalanche; Greg Sherman assistant GM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707015340/http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2014/09/19/joe-sakic-now-full-gm-title-avalanche-greg-sherman-assistant-gm/19401/ |date=July 7, 2015}}. ''[[The Denver Post]]'', September 19, 2014.</ref> Despite the front office changes, the Avalanche failed to qualify for the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]] after finishing with a record of 39–31–12, resulting in a seventh-place finish in the Central Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/roy-determined-to-get-avalanche-back-in-playoffs/c-776598|title=Roy determined to get Avalanche back in playoffs|accessdate=October 5, 2022|author=Sadowski, Rick|date=August 10, 2015|publisher=NHL.com}}</ref>

After failing to qualify for the playoffs again following the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]], Roy resigned his posts on August 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/patrick-roy-parts-ways-avalanche-organization/ |title=Patrick Roy parts ways with Avalanche organization |work=[[Sportsnet]] |date=August 11, 2016}}</ref>

Following the departure of Roy, the Avalanche hired [[Jared Bednar]] from the [[Calder Cup]] champions, the [[Lake Erie Monsters]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sadowski|first1=Rick|title=Jared Bednar hired as Avalanche coach|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jared-bednar-hired-as-colorado-coach/c-281418488|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> Bednar walked into a difficult situation. He was hired just a month before the opening of training camp, and thus had nowhere near enough time to install his own system. He was also unable to bring his own staff, having to make do with holdovers from Roy's staff. On December 10, 2016, the Avalanche allowed ten goals in a 10–1 loss to the Canadiens. The Avalanche closed out their season with a record of 22–56–4 and 48 points, the worst record in the league and the franchise's worst since moving to Denver (only the 1989–90 and 1990–91 Nordiques finished with fewer points). It was also the worst record of any team in the NHL since the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] finished with a record of 14–61–7 and 39 points in the 1999–2000 season (which was their first season in the league)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/06/colorado-avalanche-2017-season-in-review/|title=Avalanche 2016–17 Season in Review: Colorado sinks to new low – The Denver Post|access-date=April 26, 2017|date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> and one of the worst for a non-expansion team since 1967. During the [[2017 NHL entry draft|2017 NHL draft]], Colorado held the fourth overall pick, which they used to draft defenseman [[Cale Makar]].

====Return to prominence and third Presidents' Trophy (2017–2021)====
[[File:Ottawa Colorado Globen 2017.jpg|thumb|The Avalanche played the [[Ottawa Senators]] twice in November 2017, at the [[Ericsson Globe]] in [[Sweden]].]]
After much speculation about wanting out of Colorado, the Avalanche traded Duchene to the [[Ottawa Senators]] in a three-team trade on November 5, 2017. From Ottawa, the Avalanche acquired [[Andrew Hammond (ice hockey)|Andrew Hammond]], [[Shane Bowers (ice hockey)|Shane Bowers]], a [[2018 NHL entry draft|2018]] first-round pick and a [[2019 NHL entry draft|2019]] third-round pick. Additionally, the Avalanche acquired [[Samuel Girard (ice hockey)|Samuel Girard]], [[Vladislav Kamenev]] and a 2018 second-round pick from the Predators.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Dan|title=Duchene traded to Senators by Avalanche|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/matt-duchene-traded-to-senators-by-avalanche/c-292657258|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> The Avalanche had a ten-game win streak from January 2 to 22. During that stretch, the Avalanche outscored their opponents 41–16.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Farrell|first1=Sean|title=Canadiens stop Avalanche winning streak at 10|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-montreal-canadiens-game-recap/c-295230540|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> Offensively, the Avalanche were led by [[Nathan MacKinnon]] and [[Mikko Rantanen]]. MacKinnon finished fifth in league scoring with 97 points, while Rantanen scored 84 points in his sophomore season. The Avalanche qualified for the [[2018 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]] in their final game of the regular season, defeating the Blues, who they were battling with for the final wild-card spot, 5–2.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Associated Press|title=Avalanche head back to playoffs after win over Blues|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/avalanche-head-back-playoffs-win-blues/|website=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> The team finished with 95 points, a 47-point increase from their previous season. The Avalanche matched up with the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning [[Nashville Predators]] in the first round. After finding themselves down 3–1, the Avalanche rallied to win Game 5 2–1 after scoring two goals late in the third period. With Varlamov and [[Jonathan Bernier]] both out with injuries, Hammond started the game, making a career-high 44 saves.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Associated Press|title=Avalanche stay alive, beat Predators to force Game 6|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/avalanche-stay-alive-beat-predators-force-game-6/|website=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> However, the Predators blanked the Avalanche 5–0 in Game 6 to win the series.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Associated Press|title=Predators eliminate Avalanche with blowout win in Game 6|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/predators-eliminate-avalanche-blowout-win-game-6/|website=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

On November 18, 2018, the Avalanche earned its 1,000th win in team history, defeating the Ducks in overtime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Avalanche Get 1,000th Win against Anaheim Ducks |url=https://milehighsticking.com/2018/11/19/colorado-avalanche-get-1000th-win-against-anaheim-ducks/ |website=Mile High Sticking |access-date=November 26, 2018 |date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> On May 2, 2019, it was announced that the City of Denver and KSE reached an agreement to keep both the Avalanche and Nuggets in the city until 2040.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Jeff |title=Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche are staying in Denver through at least 2040 |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/05/02/denver-nuggets-colorado-avalanche-2040/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=May 8, 2019 |date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> The Avalanche returned to the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]] in the 2019 season, finishing again in the final wild-card spot. However, the Avalanche were able to defeat the [[Calgary Flames]] in five games, with rookie [[Cale Makar]] scoring in his first career game during game 3. The Avalanche would then get eliminated in game 7 of the second round by the San Jose Sharks. 

During the 2019 off-season, the Avalanche traded long time defenseman [[Tyson Barrie]] to the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] along with [[Alexander Kerfoot]] and a sixth-round pick in exchange for [[Nazem Kadri]], Calle Rosen, and a third-round pick. The Avalanche improved their record significantly and were sitting at second in their division when the COVID-19 pandemic paused the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] in March 2020. When the NHL resumed their season in September, the Avalanche defeated the [[Arizona Coyotes]] in the first round, before being eliminated in game 7 by the [[Dallas Stars]] in second round.

Following the 2020 playoffs, the Avalanche acquired [[Devon Toews]] from the [[New York Islanders]] in exchange for second-round picks in the [[2021 NHL entry draft|2021]] and [[2022 NHL entry draft|2022]]. The Avalanche continued to improve and finished the regular season with the Presidents' Trophy. The Avalanche started the postseason with six straight wins, including a sweep over the [[St. Louis Blues]] in the first round and a 7–1 in game 1 of the second round against the [[Vegas Golden Knights]]. However, despite the Avalanche building a 2–0 series lead over Vegas, they failed to win another game of the series and were eliminated in six games. This loss marked their third straight second round exit.

[[File:Cale Makar playing with the Avalanche in 2020 (Quintin Soloviev) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|190px|[[Cale Makar]] won the Conn Smythe Trophy following the team's victory in the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals.]]

====2021–22 Stanley Cup champions====
During the 2021 off-season, goaltender [[Philipp Grubauer]] left during free agency and signed a contract with the [[Seattle Kraken]]. To address the need for a goaltender, the Avalanche traded [[Conor Timmins]] and a 2022 first-round pick in exchange for [[Darcy Kuemper]]. In the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]], the Avalanche finished with 119 points, clinching the playoffs for the fifth straight time. They began the playoffs with a sweep over the [[Nashville Predators]] before defeating the [[St. Louis Blues]] in six games to advance to the conference finals for the first time in 20 years. The Avalanche then swept the [[Edmonton Oilers]] to reach the [[2022 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]]. On June 26, 2022, the Avalanche won their third Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the two-time defending champion [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2022/06/26/stanley-cup-finals-avalanche-beat-lightning-game-6/7742629001/|title=Avalanche end Lightning's reign, win Stanley Cup for first time since 2001|last=Brehm|first=Mike|website=USA Today|date=June 26, 2022|access-date=June 28, 2022}}</ref> Following their victory, the Avalanche had finished the postseason 16–4, which tied for the best postseason record since 1988. [[Cale Makar]] was named the winner of the [[Conn Smythe Trophy|Conn Smythe]] and [[James Norris Memorial Trophy|Norris Memorial]] trophies, following his exceptional regular season and playoff performances.

====Mixed success (2022–present)====
In the [[2022–23 NHL season|following season]], the Avalanche finished as division champions, but were upset by the [[Seattle Kraken]] in seven games in the first round of the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs|2023 playoffs]]. In the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]], the Avalanche finished third in the Central Division. They eliminated the [[Winnipeg Jets]] in five games in the opening round of the [[2024 Stanley Cup playoffs|2024 playoffs]], and then lost to the [[Dallas Stars]] in six games in the second round.