The Colorado Avalanche have leaders who lead in different ways but are highly effective in their styles.
The Colorado Avalanche leadership core is a major part of what drives the team to excel and succeed. It has made new players feel welcome but also challenged them to match their expectations.
While the intensity from the team leaders has amped up and will continue to through the push to the playoffs, Zach Parise said it has been high since he joined the team.
"I've noticed that since I've been here. It's been like that for awhile. The group of players that lead the charge are the hardest workers and they — it's contagious — they make you feel like you better be ready to go, better be ready to play," Parise said. "And it's not by anything they say, it's the way they carry themselves, the way they approach the game and the practices, so I think everybody, you know you feel obligated to be at that same level too so it's a really good feeling to have around the room with them."
Newcomer Casey Mittelstadt referred to the group as "intense" but said he feels like he has and will fit into the team well with that kind of guidance on and off the ice. Colorado's new defenseman Sean Walker mirrored his fellow teammate's sentiments.
"I think it's evident with those guys throughout the year, in general. You see it night in, night out they can take over games by themselves. It's definitely fun to be a part of — instead of facing them," Walker said.
Parise said the expectations the leaders put on the team challenge players to step up to that level so they don't feel left behind.
"It's as small as being ready to practice — practice at a high level, you're going to get exposed. and that just carries over to the games, you have to play at a high level, but it all starts with those guys," the 39-year-old forward said.
Head coach Jared Bednar said his leadership group is diverse and covers everything he needs from them for the team. He referred to Nathan MacKinnon as "the emotional leader" for his intensity and drive to lead by example on and off the ice. Walker said he noticed that quality right away.
"I think it stands out — he's the first guy on the ice most days, last guy off the ice, working at all the little things," Walker said. "He's definitely a role model for everybody and drives this team for sure."
As a 19-year veteran in the league, Parise has been a leader and played with other leadership groups on other teams. But he said Colorado's is definitely unique.
"I haven't experienced something where it's quite like this, where just the pace of these guys, just the expectations — again and it's in practice too," the Minneapolis, Minnesota native said. "The expectations to make high level plays is something I've never seen before and it's fun to be a part of but also it makes you a better player. You get challenged in practice playing against these guys, it almost makes the games feel like 'oh I can play at this level too' and it's just a trickle down effect."
The Avs' leadership has not changed since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, even with Gabriel Landeskog out of the lineup. MacKinnon said the team didn't have it to win the Cup again last year for several reasons, but this year is a different landscape — and looks quite similar to 2022.