Given the compressed nature of the 2025-26 NHL schedule, the Colorado Avalanche has a rare light workload this week. The Avs had three days between an overtime loss Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a Friday night tilt with the surging Nashville Predators at Ball Arena. Colorado had an opti onal practice Tuesday, a day off Wednesday and something closer to a full workout Thursday. One player who might benefit from the mini-break is rookie Gavin Brindley, who is navigating his first season at the NHL level. “It’s been kind of nice,” Brindley said. “I think just letting your body kind of reset, obviously, it’s been a lot of games in a short amount of time. I think it’s important to try to let your bodies recover as much as you can, even in a short span of days you have off. But yeah, it’s been great.” The Avs added Brindley in an offseason trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and then he was one of the standouts of training camp, earning a spot on the NHL roster. This is just his second season as a pro, but he’s become a regular for the league’s best team.   Getting off to a strong start certainly helped Brindley establish himself as an everyday player. He had five goals and nine points in 19 games playing primarily as a fourth-line wing, but he’s also moved up in the lineup at times when injuries created openings. Colorado Avalanche center Gavin Brindley (54), left, and Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) battle for the puck during the first period as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Ottawa Senators at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Jan. 8, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) There have been a couple of injuries, but he’s now played in 33 of Colorado’s 45 games. “I don’t know, maybe a couple big hits I probably would have liked to shy away from, but it happens,” Brindley said when asked how he’s managed the first half of his first NHL campaign. “I think it’s been good so far. Just trying to learn with this group every day. A lot of experienced guys in here and guys that have a lot of stories, so just trying to pick their brains and just get better every day.” Brindley has hit the first prolonged production slump of his NHL career. He had a goal and an assist on Dec. 11 in a win against the Florida Panthers. He’s played in 13 of the team’s 14 games since, with no goals and two assists — both coming in the 4-0 win against his former club Jan. 10. “I’m satisfied for sure,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I think he’s a guy that can provide production. He’s gone a little bit cold here recently — different linemates, different amounts of ice time in some of those games. I can’t put it all on him. “I still expect him to be a guy that can help us produce on a nightly basis and is highly involved. I still like his game away from the puck a lot.” Given that Brindley has spent most of his nights on the fourth line, being a consistent producer on offense can be a challenge. In the 14 games he has played since returning from injury Dec. 11 against the Panthers, Brindley has had four games with 13:53 of ice time or better, but also four games where he didn’t reach double digits in minutes. “I just keep playing,” Brindley said. “Keep playing the way I think I’ve been playing. Just keep playing hard and get up the ice as quick as possible and get to the net. I think when they come, they come. Obviously, guys are going to go through whatever droughts, and you may not score as much you’d like. I think (it is) just maybe getting a couple more shots on net, and just getting to the crease a little more.” Brindley doesn’t turn 22 years old until October. It’s rare for a player with his skill set to become a full-time NHL player at 21, but almost exclusively in a depth role. Plenty of players like Brindley would have spent this season logging a ton of minutes at the AHL level. Related Articles Avalanche players still keep an eye on former teams: ‘You pay attention to your buddies’ Avalanche power play has found a spark with Brock Nelson, playing faster LA Rams, Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke becomes largest private landowner in the U.S. Avalanche’s 17-game home winning streak ends in OT loss to Toronto For Avalanche’s Ilya Solovyov, first NHL goal is a story he’ll celebrate with wife, young son The Avs have a deep NHL roster, but also a need with Logan O’Connor still not ready to return after offseason hip surgery and a second, lingering injury. It’s a veteran roster — fellow rookie Zakhar Bardakov is the next-youngest guy at 24, but he also spent five seasons as a professional in the KHL before arriving in Denver. Bednar and his staff are cognizant of Brindley and the proverbial “rookie wall.” This little break might have helped with that. The forthcoming Olympic break might be helpful as well. “Sporadic, but all of our coaches check in with him,” Bednar said of his interactions with Brindley. “It’s almost the same as any other player. I like to give him the respect of any other player, even though he’s a young guy. He’s played at a high level. He has a lot of talent. We know he fits in here. So we monitor his game, we go over things with him that are looking good, not looking good. Whatever it is, he’s been pretty consistent. “It’s not all about just producing points. I want to make sure the other areas of his game are tight, and they are. The effort is still there. He’s a relentless player. To me, just keep doing those things and take care of your process, then the production will take care of itself.” Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis. ...read more read less