Jaden Schwartz really wanted to be a member of the Colorado Avalanche. That’s what Nathan MacKinnon said at this year’s Avalanche season-opening media availability.
“All he wanted to do was come and play here,” MacKinnon said. “So that was really cool. It’s always good to have guys that really, really want to come.”
On July 1, 2026, the first day of NHL free agency, that want became a reality, as Schwartz, a 15-year veteran, inked a three-year contract with Colorado.
In the 2025-26 season, Schwartz posted 26 points (11g/15a) in 50 regular-season games with the Seattle Kraken. Through 861 regular-season contests, he’s recorded 553 points (233g/320a), in addition to 64 points (31g/33a) in 102 playoff games.
When asked why he wanted to sign with the Avalanche, Schwartz said the organization is in a great spot.
“I’ve said this before, but every year, they’re right in the mix,” Schwartz said. “They’ve got a lot of good players. I’ve always loved Colorado. I love the city, so that played a factor. But it’s a team that I think a lot of guys admire the way they play; they know how hard they are to play against. So, it’s just a great opportunity to come to a team that’s built right now and built really well. Couldn’t have been more excited that they had the same interest I did.”
Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar called Schwartz “a heck of a player,” and that training camp and the preseason will be about where he’ll slot into Colorado’s lineup.
“Can we find some chemistry on the second line [and/or] third line?” Bednar said. “Where’s he playing in our top nine?”
Schwartz provides an already experienced Avs team with additional Stanley Cup-winning pedigree, as he played a key role in the St. Louis Blues’ 2019 championship team, scoring 12 goals and adding eight assists in 26 playoff games. As a byproduct of spending his entire career in the Western Conference, Schwartz has a great deal of experience playing against the Avs. He’s played 58 games against Colorado between the regular season and playoffs and said playing the Avs is a handful.
“They’re a fast team,” Schwartz said. “[A] lot of guys that can skate [and] make plays. They work extremely hard, so [I] can’t say enough good things about the way they play. I had a lot of good battles against them, and [I’m] pretty fired up to wear the Avs uniform now.”
His new Avalanche teammates are fired up, too.
