Colorado College's most prominent NHL alumni had a week to remember — and one to forget — as the 2026–27 season got rolling in earnest.
Schwartz Puts CC on the Map in Denver
Jaden Schwartz didn't ease into life as an Avalanche. The CC alum scored three goals across his first two games in Colorado, immediately establishing himself as a legitimate piece on one of the league's premier championship contenders. For a franchise already stocked with Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Devon Toews, Schwartz's fast start signals that Colorado's depth up front could be a serious problem for opponents all season long.
His opening salvo came against the Winnipeg Jets, where Schwartz beat Stuart Skinner to give Colorado a foothold — though the Avs ultimately trailed heading into the third after being outshot. The real showcase came Thursday in Calgary, when Schwartz erupted for two goals in a dominant 7-3 dismantling of the winless Flames. Makar (two goals, one assist) and MacKinnon (one goal, two assists) headlined the box score, but Schwartz's two-goal effort on a night when the offense was firing on all cylinders made clear he isn't just along for the ride.
The week closed on a harder note. Schwartz and the Avalanche fell 6-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, a result that dropped Colorado to 3-2-0 and served as a reminder that the Eastern Conference won't be rolling over. Still, the broader picture for Schwartz is a bright one: three goals through two games from a former Stanley Cup champion who knows exactly what it takes to win.
Schwartz's pedigree matters here. He's been through the grind before, and Colorado — a franchise that has seen its own championship moment — is counting on that experience to translate when the games get meaningful in the spring. Through the first week, the CC product has given Avalanche fans every reason to believe it will.
Slavin Wins in Raleigh
Across the league, Jaccob Slavin quietly contributed to a Hurricanes victory on Saturday, with Carolina handling the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. The CC blue-liner has long been one of the NHL's most dependable two-way defensemen, and the Hurricanes' comfortable win suggests another strong campaign may be in store for the Hurricane City faithful. Detailed individual stat lines for Slavin were not available for the contest, but his presence on a Carolina back end that limited Chicago to two goals speaks for itself.
The Bigger Picture
Colorado College alumni are making noise at both ends of the league standings in the early going. Schwartz is the headliner — three goals through two games is a statement — but Slavin's steady work in Raleigh is a reminder that CC has a habit of producing NHL-caliber talent that endures. Keep an eye on Schwartz as Colorado works to recalibrate after the Toronto loss; if the first week is any indication, he won't stay quiet for long.
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