The current Avs are definitely more disappointing.
When Colorado won in 2022 I was legit thinking (worried) they'd rattle off a dynasty. Of course, it means a lot less to me today than back in the day, but I still got enough Avs hate in my heart that it would bother me. What a squandered opportunity and disappointing stretch lol, not even like they were losing to the Panthers or something.
The beautiful rival Avs of the dead puck era I love to hate won their cup in their one wire to wire dominant 2001 year even missing Forsberg for the last two rounds (though a Detroit sans Yzerman and Shanahan was unceremoniously bounced by the Kings in the first round, even healthy I don't like the chances against Colorado that year, though obviously also depends if Colorado don't got Forsberg).
But they
also won in 1996 against probably the best Wings team of my lifetime, maybe ever (ironically just like Colorado this year they peaked too early in the season and had their key injuries to their superstar center and defenseman, although the Wings showed that they already weren't firing on all cylinders against Winnipeg and then especially St. Louis, Colorado this year still cut through their first two rounds including against another powerhouse in Minny)
Then they beat the Wings again in 1999, probably the third best team after 1996 and 2002 especially after the big trade deadline (somewhat fortunately getting to exploit Ranford as the series went on) and 2000 (comfortably this time as they were just better and Wings needed a retune), though Dallas was the wire to wire best team in 1999 and the expected champion that year, and generally matched up well against them so give 2000 a pass.
I still don't really get what happened in 1998, but every team has those stumbles, and the Avs did briefly take a lead even in 2002 against the Wings (although I thought they were a bit lucky to be up in the first place and the Wings absolutely left no doubt in the last couple games so it looks closer than I think it was).
Yes, they probably should have done better in 2003, especially with Detroit unceremoniously embarrassed and out of the way, and even Dallas dispatched by the Ducks. 2004 had super high expectations to start given the marquee of Kariya and Selanne joining, but they were basically a shell of themselves due to injuries, and it was all over once Forsberg went out for the season.
So basically I think the Forsberg/Sakic Avs got one cup when they were expected to, one where they were real good but not the best and they beat the best to get there, and two years where they actually underachieved relative to expectations, which every team is going to run into from time to time. On a whole other level than the MacKinnon/Makar Avs.
I always consider it a shame that the Wings never got even a shot to redeem themselves against the embarrassment of 1995 against the Devils, and the Devils also dispatched Dallas. Colorado though was the team that beat that big bad team in the east, they got even that feather in their cap.
