Colorado Eagles 2026-27 American Hockey League Season Preview

The Colorado Eagles are making a strong push for the 2026-27 American Hockey League (AHL) season, following their first Western Conference Final appearance in team history. The team's first-year head coach, Mark Letestu, is now an assistant coach for the Vegas Golden Knights. A new head coach, Jussi Ahokas, has taken over from Letestu.

Ahokas, a Finnish native and innovator in junior hockey, led the Kitchener Rangers to the Memorial Cup title. He is expected to build on the team's success and help the Eagles reach new heights.

During the 2025-26 season, the Eagles finished 2nd in the Pacific Division and 3rd in the Western Conference, just 6th overall in the AHL. Their offensive output was impressive, registering 3.29 goals per game, which tied them for 8th in the AHL. Defensively, they allowed 2.75 goals per game, ranking 7th in the AHL. After losing several key players to trades and free agency, Ahokas will face the challenge of rebuilding the team.

Despite the turnover, the Eagles have made several solid offseason signings. The most notable is the acquisition of Fabian Lysell, a top-six prospect who needed a fresh start. They also added Georgii Merkulov, a 25-year-old forward with 240 AHL points, and Adam Beckman and Domenick Fensore, who bring physicality and toughness to the lineup. The addition of Trent Miner, a top goaltender in the Pacific Division and AHL, further strengthens the team's prospects for success.

With a talented roster returning and the high standard set by the Colorado Avalanche affiliate, the Eagles have all the necessary pieces to secure another strong season. If they can replicate their playoff run, the Eagles may finally bring the Calder Cup to Colorado for the first time in team history.