2010–11 Colorado Avalanche season

The 2010–11 Colorado Avalanche season was the 32nd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 22, 1979, and 16th season since the franchise relocated to Colorado to start the 1995–96 NHL season.

The Avalanche posted a regular season record of 30 wins, 44 losses and 8 overtime/shootout losses for 68 points, failing to qualify for the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Off-season
At the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Avalanche chose Joey Hishon, a centre, with the 17th overall pick.

Regular season
The Avalanche lost number one goaltender Craig Anderson on October 26 to a knee injury. Anderson, who was to be the backup that night in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, was participating in pre-game drills when he injured his knee. Peter Budaj stepped into the starting goaltender job and played well, but overall the Avalanche's goaltending has been an issue during the season. After joining the Avalanche during practice on January 22, Peter Forsberg decided to make a return to the NHL and signed a contract for the remainder of the 2010–11 season with the Avalanche on February 6. Forsberg played in two games with the Avalanche before announcing his retirement on February 14. Captain Adam Foote announced his retirement from the NHL on April 8, 2011, and played in his final game two days later on April 10 against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Avalanche struggled defensively during the regular season, finishing 30th overall in goals allowed, with 287 (excluding one shootout goal allowed). They also struggled on the penalty kill, allowing the most power-play goals in the league with 75 and had the lowest penalty-kill percentage in the league at 76.11%.

Playoffs
The Colorado Avalanche failed to qualify for the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts; G= Goals; A= Assists; PIM= Penalties in minutes

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Avalanche. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.

‡Traded mid-season

Transactions
The Avalanche have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Draft picks
Colorado had 8 picks at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, California.

Lake Erie Monsters
The Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate is the Lake Erie Monsters, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tulsa Oilers
The Avalanche's Central Hockey League affiliate is the Tulsa Oilers, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.