2011–12 Colorado Avalanche season

The 2011–12 Colorado Avalanche season was the 40th overall season for the franchise, the 33rd since joining the National Hockey League (NHL), and 17th since relocating to Colorado.

The Avalanche failed to qualify for the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, finishing seven points behind the eighth-placed Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference.

Off-Season
On June 16, 2011, the Avalanche promoted former player Adam Deadmarsh to assistant coach. Deadmarsh will take Steve Konowalchuk's place behind the bench, as Konowalchuk has accepted the head coaching position for the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds.

Captain Adam Foote retired.

Regular season
The Avalanche retired Peter Forsberg's number 21 jersey on opening night, October 8.

On November 14, the Avalanche named Milan Hejduk as the third captain in Avalanche history.

The Avalanche had the fewest power-play opportunities of all 30 teams, with just 223.

Playoffs
The Colorado Avalanche failed to qualify for the 2012 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 2011–12 season:

Draft picks
Colorado's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota.