Avalanche Player Opposed to Utah Yeti?

Ah, the internet.

Where the speculation runs rampant and facts are simply a suggestion.

Fans of the hockey world are well aware, especially here, that Utah is in the midst of establishing an identity as a brand-new franchise this upcoming season.

Despite not using an official “moniker” this year outside of simply being known as “Utah”, fans already have a good idea what the final names will likely come down too when the name and mascot is selected for the 2025-2026 season.

Despite recent surges in names such as Outlaws, Mammoth and Swarm, Utah fans have seemed from a casual glance to favor one name above all: Utah Yeti.

The cryptid creature known also as the abominable snowman is currently atop the betting odds for Utah’s new name, and has a lot of favoritism amongst the new fanbase.

But like every name, Yeti isn’t universally loved.

Opposing fans may tell Yeti supporters a variety of things to try to persuade them from the Himalayan beast.

The biggest counter to a potential “Utah Yeti” team taking the ice is often found in the similarities to a current NHL team in the Colorado Avalanche.

Most Utah fans are adamant on selecting a name that feels unique and original, and rightfully so.

For some, what Yeti brings to the table is already a slightly used commodity in a minor capacity.

The Colorado Avalanche upon arrival from Quebec City in 1995, debuted with their identity a mascot named “Howler.”

Howler was a hockey loving Yeti who delighted fans until a 1999 dispute where a Blackhawks fan was injured in an altercation with the mascot.

The Av’s shut down Howler and went without a mascot until 2009.

So yes, they had a “Yeti”. But his last appearance was twenty plus years ago.

The larger issue with the Colorado comparison, falls into what the Avalanche did for a secondary logo.

Outside of the actual mascot, Colorado had a shoulder logo on their sweaters of a massive hairy Yeti foot.

This logo outlived Howler by a large margin, being utilized by the Avalanche until 2015.

Despite the “Yeti Foot” logo going dormant, there are plenty of Colorado fans still in possession of sweaters, hats and shirts sporting the logo from when it was in use.

Many fans would love to see the logo return one day.

For some Utah fans, the Yeti imagery in Mile High is a major red flag, for others the usage is so long ago, they have no issue making it bigger and better than it’s ever been.

No one could fully tell you how the players feel, but fans on the grand old internet feel like they may have found a juicy tidbit today.

In an official announcement today, Gabe Landeskog, who hasn’t taken the ice since 2022, stated his desire to return next season and stave off retirement.

Landeskog isn’t sure when he will return, but he knows he’s not going anywhere.

As great as that is for the multi time All-Star, his appearance stirred the flames of many fans based on his headwear selection.

Landeskog, who has been with the team since 2011 as a rookie, was sporting a “Yeti foot” logo ball cap on his dome.

Fans were quick to “assume” this was a subtle jab at Utah entertaining the idea of Yeti.

Colorado fans were quick to flood the comments, asking for links to purchase the hat itself, in an effort to claim the Yeti as their own.

Now of course, this is pure speculation. Absolute all of it.

Landeskog could have just grabbed the first hat on his shelf or he could have been sending subliminal messages.

Regardless this is sure to spark further debate between Utah Yeti fans, Colorado Avalanche fans, and Utah “anything but Yeti” fans.