The eve of Avs hockey! 🏒 Jesse Montaño and Meghan Angley are at Family Sports after a busy media day: Erik Johnson’s retirement presser, updates from GM Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar, plus final roster vibes before the season opener in L.A.

**On today’s Off Ice:**

* Eric Johnson reflects on his career, legacy in Denver, and what’s next (TV work + a front-office assist).

* Roster/lineup talk ahead of Kings-Avs: Gavin Brindley earns a look out of camp, where he could slot, and why his speed/compete pops.

* Blue line choices: Sam Malinski’s “strong side” comfort vs. left-side reps, pairings to watch, and why depth options calm (most) nerves.

* Waivers & claims: Keaton Middleton clears; Jack Ahcan sticks around (for now); Ilya Solovyov claimed—immigration pending—how that changes the 6/7/8 mix.

* Forward depth chess: Barkov, Brindley, Parker Kelly, and why Jussi “Kivi” Ranta profiles as the ideal 13th.

* League-wide contract shockwaves and how they ripple into the Avs’ ongoing Marty Nečas negotiations.

* Sam Girard’s health/readiness and the room’s mindset after last spring.

Jesse heads to L.A. for opening night coverage and we’ll have the home opener Thursday—every other night hockey is BACK. 🔥

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👇 Sound off in the comments with your Game 1 predictions and your opening-night X-factor!

#GoAvsGo #OffIce #GuerillaSports #AvsNation #NHLOpeningNight