The Avs sent the 2021 first-round pick to San Jose in a trade that brought back two-way forward Danil Gushchin, the team announced on Friday afternoon.

Olausson never found his footing at the NHL level, appearing in just four games total with the Avs after being selected with the 28th overall pick of the NHL draft. That included two games last season in which he logged three shots on goal with zero points.

Gushchin skated with the Sharks on opening night last season and played a total of 12 games with the big club, logging one assist and no goals. He was much more productive with the franchise’s AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, with 51 points and a career-high 28 goals in 56 games. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound left wing had one goal in four Calder Cup games.

The Yekaterinburg, Russia, native has five points in 18 career NHL games between 2022 and ’25. He has 150 points across 182 AHL contests from 2021-25 and was an All-Star during the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Olausson totaled 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) over 163 games and three seasons with the Colorado Eagles.

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Curtis Jones and the Nuggets have agreed to a two-way contract that will keep him with the franchise for the 2025-26 season, a league source confirmed Sunday afternoon.

Jones led the Nuggets in scoring over five games the past two weeks in Las Vegas, averaging 14.6 points on 54.9% shooting from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range. The undrafted rookie out of Iowa State also averaged 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Summer Nuggets, who went 2-3 in Sin City.

Jones played four college seasons between Buffalo and Iowa State. The 6-foot-5 guard came off the bench for the majority of his 71 games with the Cyclones over the past two seasons, culminating in a senior year that saw him earn Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honors while averaging 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 43.0% shooting.

With his addition, the Nuggets have now filled all three of their two-way slots on the roster. Second-year forward Spencer Jones and rookie guard Tamar Bates account for the other two spots. The two-way signing does not affect the team’s 15-man roster, however, meaning Denver still has one open roster spot that it can either choose to fill or leave open.

Nuggets executive Ben Tenzer told reporters on Friday that the team did not feel any pressure to address that opening before training camp in late September.

“We’re going to be patient right now,” Tenzer said. “We feel really good about where the roster’s at. And if we feel like it’s important to add a 15th, we will. But no pressure right now.”

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene following DaRon Holmes II’s glorious return to NBA Summer League. Among the topics discussed:

• Nikola Jokic caused a stir in NBA circles by … doing nothing?! Denver’s MVP center became extension-eligible last week but declined to sign on the dotted line, according to league sources. Here’s why Nuggets fans need not freak out — yet.
• Jonas Valanciunas caused a stir in NBA circles by … visiting Greece?! The recently acquired backup to Jokic was offered a three-year contract by EuroLeague power Panathinaikos, and Valanciunas signaled mutual interest by visiting Greece. Yet the Nuggets hold all the cards. What happens next?
• Nuggets big man DaRon Holmes II returned to NBA Summer League a year after rupturing an Achilles tendon at the very same venue. How did the second-year player look? And how might he slot into what’s becoming a deep Nuggets rotation?
• With the Cam Johnson-MPJ trade now complete, the fellas ponder if the Nuggets might now have a better starting five than when the franchise won the NBA title in 2023.
• What’s Denver’s best public park? You better believe the fellas have some opinions.

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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The Avs’ regular-season opener will be quickly followed by a pair of home games against Utah (Oct. 9) and Dallas (Oct. 11) at Ball Arena, kicking off a schedule that concludes with a home game against Seattle on April 16.

The season begins earlier than normal in order to make room for a 20-day break for the Winter Olympics at Milan and Cortina, Italy, in February. The Avs will play 12 back-to-back sets of games, and March is the busiest month on the schedule with 15 total games. A seven-game homestand will run between Jan. 8-23 — the first such homestand since the 2020-21 season.

The Avs are also set to play a franchise-record 18 afternoon games during the regular season, five of which will be at Ball Arena.

Single-game tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m., while season tickets and partial deposits are already open. For more information, visit nhl.com/avalanche/tickets.

All 82 games will be available on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM or 950 AM. Altitude TV broadcast dates will be revealed at a later date.

Colorado Avalanche 2025-26 schedule

(Click here to view schedule in mobile.)

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In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene three days after the stunning trade of Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets. Among the topics discussed:

• The Nuggets’ two-man brain trust turned Porter’s salary into four players: Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. How in the world did they pull this off? And how long had executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace been mapping this out?
• How much better does this make the Nuggets? What will the rotation look like come October? And how many of these players will actually be able to give the Nuggets depth in the postseason?
• In light of the first two weeks of the Tenzer-Wallace era, what’s the confidence in this setup working going forward? Could other moves be made? Could these wizards find a way to dump Zeke Nnaji’s contract, too? Maybe cure cancer?
• Ranking the contenders after free agency and the draft: The boys provide their our own Top 10 following player acquisition season.
• Loose ends: Thoughts on the NBA Finals and the tragedy that was Tyrese Haliburton’s Game 7 injury.

Subscribe to the podcast

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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

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The DU product missed the entire 2024-25 season after injuring his knee during a practice with the Colorado Eagles in early October. Colorado picked the defenseman in the second round of the 2021 NHL draft, and he signed with the franchise three years later after winning a pair of national titles with the Pioneers.

The development camp roster includes 15 forwards, 11 defensemen and five goaltenders — 12 of whom are draft picks and five who are on NHL contracts. The camp runs this Tuesday through Thursday, with all three on-ice days open to the public.

The one big name missing from the roster: Goaltender Ilya Nabokov, the Avs’ No. 2 prospect and top pick in the 2024 draft.

All three of the Avs’ picks in last week’s draft will be in the camp, including UMass defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce (third round), Swedish defenseman Linus Funck (fourth round) and St. Cloud State-bound center Nolan Roed (seventh round). Roed, however, will not be skating.

One other invite Avalanche fans may be familiar with is Max Lacroix. The Boston U goaltender is the son of former Avs winger Eric Lacroix and grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Pierre Lacroix, who was the architect of the two Stanley Cup-winning teams as president and general manager of the Avalanche.

The Avs will be on the ice from 8:10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, 8:10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Avalanche development camp roster

Forwards (15)

16 – Taylor Makar*
47 – Rilen Kovacevic
51 – Lucas Wahlin
55 – Maros Jedlicka
58 – Cooper Gay
63 – Christian Humphreys
64 – Vincent Desjardins
65 – Nolan Roed*
68 – Jake Fisher
76 – Evan Friesen
83 – Lucas Romeo
84 – Asanali Sarkenov
86 – Reilly Connors
90 – Max Curran
98 – Noah Degenstein

Defensemen (11)

2 – Sean Behrens
5 – Tory Pitner
26 – Hank Kempf
32 – Drew Allison
56 – Francesco Dell’Elce
59 – Linus Funck
71 – Rihards Simanovics
73 – Connor Kelley
78 – Chris Romaine
89 – Saige Weinstein
95 – Nate Tivey

Goaltenders (5)

1 – Louka Cloutier
31 – Max Lacroix
34 – Mathis Langevin
35 – Isak Posch
40 – Jayden Kraus

* Not skating 

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The 5-foot-7 Kentucky commit led a defense that allowed just 13 goals en route to a 15-1-4 record and 5A state championship victory over Castle View. She scored the loan goal in the title game and finished with four goals and two assists on a season that also ended with 5A player of the year honors.

In addition, she carried a 4.18 weighted GPA in the classroom and volunteered for multiple initiatives as part of Fossil Ridge’s National Honor Society and Key Club.

“Teagan is a tremendous leader who clearly helped shift the culture of the program,” Windsor head coach Mike Lordemann said in a release announcing the award. “Ask any coach what wins championships, and most will say the same thing: defense. We simply couldn’t break down Fossil Ridge’s defense with Teagan anchoring it.”

Myers joins elite company as a Gatorade player of the year, with notable alumni including U.S. Women’s National Team star Mallory Swanson (nee Pugh) with Mountain Vista in 2014-15.

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To walk into Baker Market and Deli is to take a step back in time.

Nestled in the heart of Denver’s Baker neighborhood, the brick-and-mortar bodega is a call-back to a different era when someone could take their dog for a stroll and pick up a sandwich and some produce in one fell swoop.

When owner Berlinda Olivas first bought what was then known as Baker Neighborhood Market back in 2000, there were multiple bodegas nearby. Hers is the only one still operating — in part because she bought the business back from a family friend after some lean years during the pandemic. Had Olivas sold the building, its unique zoning would have disappeared.

“I didn’t want to lose that history,” the 66-year-old lifetime Baker resident said.

That history dates back to the late 1880s, when Baker Market hosted parishioners from nearby St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish. And it is on display throughout.

The exposed brick interior wall matches the tone of the 100-year-old homes that line the neighborhood’s streets. A mural on the east side of the building highlights a community garden that abuts the property. And an old cash register Olivas inherited sits in one corner of a charming back porch open to customers.

It’s the kind of place where you might see the postman pop in and freshen up his coffee, or a mother on a walk with her toddler make a pitstop for a chilled sparkling water. Not only are pets welcome, they are encouraged — often with a little treat.

Of course, things have changed in the decades since Olivas bought the business, even if the prices remain relatively old school.

For a time, the business was known as Java ‘n Scoops, but it transitioned to Baker Market and has expanded its menu over the years. Breakfast and lunchtime options are served all day, with fresh produce, groceries and locally sourced coffee, teas and breads also available. The burritos and tacos — breakfast or lunch — are delicious, but don’t sleep on the croissant breakfast sandwiches. Other sandwich selections include classics like the BLT, grilled cheese for the kiddos, and less widely available fare like the “Cubano” and “Leonardo de Veggie.”

All of those items are made to order. You can even watch them sizzle on a flat-top griddle at the back of the deli.

Still, it’s the old-school charm of Baker Market that makes it such a treasured gem. And as long as Olivas is still around, that’s not going anywhere.

Baker Market and Deli is located at 713 W. 4th Ave. in Denver. Open 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. facebook.com/bakermarketdenver

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And this time, the CSU senior did it at Hayward Field to become the Rams’ first outdoor national champ in 20 years.

Lesnar, the NCAA indoor shot put national champion in 2024, won the same event at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships on Thursday in Eugene, Ore., with a throw of 19.01 meters.

She came into this week’s meet as the top seed in the shot put and didn’t disappoint.

The daughter of WWE star Brock Lesnar hit the winning mark on her very first throw and was the only competitor to top 19 meters in the event. The victory came a year after she placed fifth in the event at the outdoor meet and continued the Rams’ tradition of strong throwers.

The last Rams outdoor national champion, Loree Smith, won the hammer throw in 2005. And Lesnar was joined by two other throwers at this week’s meet: Kajsa Borrman was 21st in the hammer earlier Thursday and Klaire Kovatch will throw in the discus on Saturday.

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The Tennessee commit helped lead the Lions to four state titles during a decorated career with the Parker prep power, capped by a Class 4A player of the year nod after she hit .547 with 52 RBIs and 10 home runs last fall. The shortstop also stole 10 bases and had a .933 fielding percentage in her fourth and final all-state season.

“She controls the game from her defensive position and can change it with one swing,” Riverdale Ridge head coach Ray Garza said in a release announcing the award. “And it’s not just stats. Coaches and scouts look at how she carries herself — she lifts up her team, she’s vocal, supportive and leads by example, even when things aren’t perfect.”

In addition to her work on the diamond, Barnhart has donated time to the Miracle League of Metro Denver, which offers children and adults living with intellectual or physical challenges the opportunity to play baseball, and volunteered as a nanny for a family with a terminally ill parent.

She carries a 4.0 GPA and will play on scholarship at Tennessee starting next fall.

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