Colorado Avalanche rank high in NHL contract efficiency

The Athletic’s offseason analysis ranked all 32 NHL teams by contract efficiency, a metric that gauges the value each club extracts from its payroll as the salary cap rises. The Carolina Hurricanes topped the list, followed by the Montreal Canadiens. The Colorado Avalanche placed sixth overall, a strong showing for a roster built around several superstar contracts. According to analyst Dom Luszczyszyn, every Avalanche contract provides positive value except for a handful—including Nic Roy, Logan O’Connor, Gabe Landeskog, Mackenzie Blackwood and Brett Kulak—whose deals were judged less efficient under the model.

The ranking highlights how teams like the Avalanche balance high‑profile deals with overall cap flexibility, a topic of growing relevance as the league’s financial landscape evolves.