The Colorado Avalanche have taken a significant step in securing their future by signing young forward Gavin Brindley to a two-year contract extension, which will keep him with the team through the end of the 2027-28 season. The 21-year-old, who was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets this past summer, has quickly become a standout player for the Avalanche, earning a spot on the roster from the outset of training camp and consistently impressing head coach Jared Bednar.
The contract extension, which carries a cap hit of $875,000, speaks to the team’s confidence in Brindley’s potential. So far this season, Brindley has recorded five points across 14 games. His emergence as a key player was notably highlighted during a recent matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, where he was moved to the top line alongside superstar Nathan MacKinnon. In a crucial moment, Brindley drew a penalty late in regulation, contributing to the Avalanche’s lead, and later went on to score the overtime winner, becoming the seventh-youngest player in the franchise’s history to achieve this feat.
Reflecting on his transition to the Avalanche, Brindley expressed that the trade provided him with a fresh start, giving him both motivation and lessons learned from his early experiences. “Going through something like that (so) young and experiencing that already is a positive and also (a) negative,” he noted, indicating his determination to make the most of this new chapter.
Coach Jared Bednar is optimistic about Brindley’s future with the team, believing he has the makings of a top-six forward in the league. “He plays bigger than his size; the motor, the relentlessness, the skill level and the brain to go with it is all there. I think (his ceiling) is really high,” Bednar commented, underlining the high expectations the Avalanche have for their promising young talent.
As Brindley continues to develop and contribute to the team, the Avalanche are poised to benefit from his growth both now and in the years to come, creating an exciting outlook for the franchise.