The Colorado Avalanche surprised many last season by winning the Central division. They’ll be in tough to repeat their 2013-14 results this season.
Use the below Tabs to view Avalanche info for this upcoming season, as well as some numbers from last year.
2013-14 record: 52-22-8, 112 points
Where they finished: 1st in the Central; 2nd in the Western Conference; 3rd in the NHL
Player Salaries: $64,700,000 (24)
Cap Payroll: $67,279,762
Bonuses: $2,850,000
Cap Space: $1,720,238
Forwards: $41.58 million(14)
Defensemen: $17.6 million (8)
Goalies: $7.35 million (2)
Buyouts: $750,000
Source: CapGeek.com
In: Ben Street C, Borna Rendulic RW, Brad Stuart D, Bruno Gervais D, Daniel Briere C/W, Dennis Everberg C, Jarome Iginla RW, Jesse Winchester RW/LW, Maxim Noreau D, Roman Will G, Samuel Henley LW, Zach Redmond D
Out: Andre Benoit D, Brad Malone LW/C, Bryan Lerg LW, David Van Der Gulik LW/RW, Mark Olver C/LW, Matt Hunwick D, PA Parenteau RW, Paul Stastny C
2014-15 Team Outlook:
With the emergence of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and the rest of the Avalanche’s young forwards, the Avalanche skyrocketed up the standings and won a very tough Central Division in Patrick Roy’s 1st year as head coach.
While the development of the team’s young players is certainly encouraging, and there’s still room for many of their core guys to improve. It’s hard to see Colorado doing anything but sliding down the standings in 2014-15.
Their elite core of young high-end forwards should keep them in the playoff hunt in what is a very tough Western Conference, but I think it’s a stretch to expect them to win a division title once again.
Not only did Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis improve, but also a case can be made that the Avalanche are a worse team now than a year ago. Factor in the impact their unsustainably high shooting percentages had and the likelihood of regression, and it’s hard to be overly optimistic about their chances next season.
In Paul Stastny, the Avalanche lost a legitimate top line center, and coupled with P.A. Parenteau two of their top possession driving forwards are no longer in the picture.
Add Jarome Iginla, who is by no means a possession star and isn’t the fleetest of foot at this point in his career, a declining Danny Briere, and possession anchor defenseman in Brad Stuart, it’s hard to see where the Avalanche improved.
A poor possession team (47%) should be worse in that regard next season, and with their sky-high shooting percentages and full strength save percentages (.930SV%) almost inevitably going to regress, a 2013 division winner could fall out of the playoffs altogether.
I expect them to compete for a spot, as MacKinnon, Landeskog, Matt Duchene and co. are too good for them not to, but it won’t be shocking if they don’t make the playoffs.
Written by Todd Cordell, who can be found on twitter @ToddCordell.
The depth chart listed below was taken from NHL.com’s 30-in-30.
FORWARDS
Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon -Jarome Iginla
Alex Tanguay – Matt Duchene – Ryan O’Reilly
Jamie McGinn – John Mitchell – Daniel Briere
Cody McLeod – Marc-Andre Cliche – Maxime Talbot
Jesse Winchester – Patrick Bordeleau
DEFENSEMEN
Jan Hejda – Erik Johnson
Brad Stuart – Tyson Barrie
Nick Holden – Nate Guenin
Ryan Wilson
GOALTENDERS
Semyon Varlamov
Reto Berra
| Forwards | POS | HT | WT | DOB | BIRTH PLACE |
| Patrick Bordeleau | L | 6′ 6″ | 225 | 23-Mar-86 | MONTREAL, QC, CAN |
| Daniel Briere | C | 5′ 9″ | 174 | 6-Oct-77 | GATINEAU, QC, CAN |
| Paul Carey | C | 6′ 0″ | 175 | 24-Sep-88 | BOSTON, MA, USA |
| Marc-Andre Cliche | C | 6′ 0″ | 202 | 23-Mar-87 | ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, CAN |
| Matt Duchene | C | 5′ 11″ | 200 | 16-Jan-91 | HALIBURTON, ON, CAN |
| Joey Hishon | C | 5′ 10″ | 170 | 20-Oct-91 | STRATFORD, ON, CAN |
| Jarome Iginla | R | 6′ 1″ | 210 | 1-Jul-77 | EDMONTON, AB, CAN |
| Gabriel Landeskog | L | 6′ 1″ | 204 | 23-Nov-92 | STOCKHOLM, SWE |
| Nathan Mackinnon | C | 6′ 0″ | 182 | 1-Sep-95 | HALIFAX, NS, CAN |
| Jamie Mcginn | L | 6′ 1″ | 210 | 5-Aug-88 | FERGUS, ON, CAN |
| Cody Mcleod | L | 6′ 2″ | 210 | 26-Jun-84 | BINSCARTH, MB, CAN |
| John Mitchell | C | 6′ 1″ | 204 | 22-Jan-85 | OAKVILLE, ON, CAN |
| Ryan O’Reilly | C | 6′ 0″ | 200 | 7-Feb-91 | CLINTON, ON, CAN |
| Maxime Talbot | C | 5′ 11″ | 190 | 11-Feb-84 | LEMOYNE, QC, CAN |
| Alex Tanguay | L | 6′ 1″ | 194 | 21-Nov-79 | STE-JUSTINE, QC, CAN |
| Jesse Winchester | C | 6′ 1″ | 205 | 4-Oct-83 | LONG SAULT, ON, CAN |
| Defensemen | HT | WT | AGE | DOB | BIRTH PLACE |
| Tyson Barrie | 5′ 10″ | 190 | 23 | 26-Jul-91 | VICTORIA, BC, CAN |
| Stefan Elliott | 6′ 1″ | 190 | 23 | 30-Jan-91 | VANCOUVER, BC, CAN |
| Nate Guenin | 6′ 3″ | 207 | 31 | 10-Dec-82 | ALIQUIPPA, PA, USA |
| Jan Hejda | 6′ 4″ | 237 | 36 | 18-Jun-78 | PRAGUE, CZE |
| Nick Holden | 6′ 4″ | 207 | 27 | 15-May-87 | ST. ALBERT, AB, CAN |
| Erik Johnson | 6′ 4″ | 232 | 26 | 21-Mar-88 | BLOOMINGTON, MN, USA |
| Zach Redmond | 6′ 2″ | 205 | 26 | 26-Jul-88 | TRAVERSE CITY, MI, USA |
| Brad Stuart | 6′ 2″ | 215 | 34 | 6-Nov-79 | ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, AB, CAN |
| Ryan Wilson | 6′ 1″ | 207 | 27 | 3-Feb-87 | WINDSOR, ON, CAN |
| Goalies | HT | WT | AGE | DOB | BIRTH PLACE |
| Reto Berra | 6′ 4″ | 194 | 27 | 3-Jan-87 | BULACH, CHE |
| Semyon Varlamov | 6′ 2″ | 209 | 26 | 27-Apr-88 | SAMARA, RUS |
A look at the Colorado Avalanche top prospects heading into this season. Each source may use different classifications as to if a player is deemed a prospect or has graduated on from a prospect.
| RK | NHL.com | ESPN Corey Pronman |
Dobber Prospects | Hockeys Future | The Hockey News |
| 1 | Conner Bleackley | Chris Brigas | Chris Brigas | Chris Brigas | Chris Brigas |
| 2 | Chris Brigas | Conner Bleackley | Mike Sgarbossa | Duncan Siemens | Conner Bleackley |
| 3 | Joey Hishon | Will Butcher | Joey Hishon | Joey Hishon | Duncan Siemens |
| 4 | Duncan Siemens | Duncan Siemens | Conner Bleackley | Conner Bleackley | Joey Hishon |
| 5 | Troy Bourke | Joey Hishon | Will Butcher | Stefan Elliott | Calvin Pickard |
| 6 | Sami Aittokallio | Nick Magyar | Colin Smith | Sami Aittokallio | Stefan Elliott |
| 7 | Calvin Pickard | Calvin Pickard | Duncan Siemens | Calvin Pickard | Sami Aittokallio |
| 8 | Spencer Martin | Mike Sgarbossa | Sami Aittokallio | Mike Sgarbossa | Spencer Martin |
| 9 | Dennis Everberg | Troy Bourke | Andrew Agozzino | Troy Bourke | Will Butcher |
| 10 | Cody Corbett | Colin Smith | Troy Bourke | Will Butcher | Mitchell Heard |
* Dobber Prospects – Prospects based on relevance in a fantasy-hockey keeper league, not actual talent on the ice.
Colorado Avalanche Draft History from the past five years
| 2014 Draft | ||||||
| Rd. | Draft # | Player | Pos. | Team | Ht. | Wt. |
| 1 | 23 | Conner Bleackley | C | Red Deer (WHL) | 6′ 0″ | 200 |
| 3 | 84 | Kyle Wood | D | North Bay (OHL) | 6′ 3″ | 195 |
| 4 | 93 | Nicholas Magyar | RW | Kitchener (OHL) | 6′ 1″ | 194 |
| 4 | 114 | Alexis Pepin | LW | Gatineau (QMJHL) | 6′ 2″ | 218 |
| 5 | 144 | Anton Lindholm | D | Skelleftea Jr. (SWE) | 6′ 0″ | 191 |
| 6 | 174 | Maximilian Pajpach | G | Slovakia U18 (SVK) | 6′ 1″ | 207 |
| 7 | 204 | Julien Nantel | C/LW | Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) | 6′ 0″ | 193 |
| 2013 Draft | ||||||
| 1 | 1 | Nathan MacKinnon | C | Halifax (QMJHL) | 6′ 0″ | 185 |
| 2 | 32 | Chris Bigras | D | Owen Sound (OHL) | 6′ 0″ | 190 |
| 3 | 63 | Spencer Martin | G | Mississauga (OHL) | 6′ 2″ | 190 |
| 4 | 93 | Mason Geertsen | D | Edmonton (WHL) | 6′ 3″ | 200 |
| 5 | 123 | Will Butcher | D | US-NTDP | 5’11” | 175 |
| 6 | 153 | Ben Storm | D | Muskegon (USHL) | 6′ 6″ | 215 |
| 7 | 183 | Wilhelm Westlund | D | Farjestad Jr (SWE) | 6′ 0″ | 178 |
| 2012 Draft | ||||||
| 2 | 41 | Mitchell Heard | C | Plymouth (OHL) | 6′ 0″ | 188 |
| 3 | 72 | Troy Bourke | LW | Prince George (WHL) | 5’10” | 156 |
| 5 | 132 | Michael Clarke | C | Windsor (OHL) | 6′ 0″ | 185 |
| 6 | 162 | Joseph Blandisi | C/RW | Owen Sound (OHL) | 5’10” | 182 |
| 7 | 192 | Colin Smith | C | Kamloops (WHL) | 5’10” | 162 |
| 2011 Draft | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | Gabriel Landeskog | LW | Kitchener (OHL) | 6′ 0″ | 207 |
| 1 | 11 | Duncan Siemens | D | Saskatoon (WHL) | 6′ 3″ | 192 |
| 4 | 93 | Joachim Nermark | F | Linkoping Jr. ( SWE-JR. ) | 6′ 0″ | 179 |
| 5 | 123 | Garrett Meurs | C | Plymouth (OHL) | 5’11” | 170 |
| 6 | 153 | Gabriel Beaupre | D | Val D’or (QMJHL) | 6′ 2″ | 195 |
| 7 | 183 | Dillon Donnelly | D | Shawinigan (QMJHL) | 6′ 2″ | 193 |
| 2010 Draft | ||||||
| 1 | 17 | Joey Hishon | C | Owen Sound (OHL) | 5’10” | 190 |
| 2 | 49 | Calvin Pickard | G | Seattle | 6′ 2″ | 209 |
| 3 | 71 | Michael Bournival | C | Shawinigan | 5’11” | 179 |
| 4 | 95 | Stephen Silas | D | BELLEVILLE | 6′ 1″ | 183 |
| 4 | 107 | Sami Aittokallio | G | Ilves Jr. | 6′ 1″ | 174 |
| 5 | 137 | Troy Rutkowski | D | Portland | 6′ 2″ | 208 |
| 5 | 139 | Luke Walker | RW | Portland | 6′ 1″ | 174 |
| 7 | 197 | Luke Moffatt | F | USA U-18 | 6′ 1″ | 187 |
| Player | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | SH | GW | S | S% |
| Matt Duchene | 71 | 23 | 47 | 70 | 8 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 217 | 10.6 |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 81 | 26 | 39 | 65 | 21 | 71 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 222 | 11.7 |
| Ryan O’Reilly | 80 | 28 | 36 | 64 | -1 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 201 | 13.9 |
| Nathan Mackinnon | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 | 20 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 241 | 10 |
| Paul Stastny | 71 | 25 | 35 | 60 | 9 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 150 | 16.7 |
| Erik Johnson | 80 | 9 | 30 | 39 | 5 | 61 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 157 | 5.7 |
| Jamie Mcginn | 79 | 19 | 19 | 38 | -3 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 167 | 11.4 |
| Tyson Barrie | 64 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 17 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 101 | 12.9 |
| PA Parenteau | 55 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 110 | 12.7 |
| John Mitchell | 75 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 13 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 107 | 10.3 |
| Andre Benoit | 79 | 7 | 21 | 28 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 113 | 6.2 |
| Maxime Talbot | 70 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 4 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 110 | 6.4 |
| Nick Holden | 54 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 12 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 15.2 |
| Jan Hejda | 78 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 8 |
| Cody Mcleod | 71 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 122 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 76 | 6.6 |
| Alex Tanguay | 16 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 16.7 |
| Patrick Bordeleau | 82 | 6 | 5 | 11 | -1 | 115 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 16.2 |
| Cory Sarich | 54 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 2.1 |
| Nate Guenin | 68 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 1.9 |
| Steve Downie | 11 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 3.8 |
| Marc-Andre Cliche | 76 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 1.4 |
| Ryan Wilson | 28 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Brad Malone | 32 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -4 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 18.8 |
| Stefan Elliott | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 100 |
| David Van Der Gulik | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Matt Hunwick | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Paul Carey | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Karl Stollery | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Goalie | GPI | GS | MIN | GAA | W | L | OT | SO | SA | GA | SV% |
| Semyon Varlamov | 63 | 60 | 3640 | 2.41 | 41 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2013 | 146 | 0.927 |
| Jean-Sebastien Giguere | 22 | 19 | 1212 | 2.62 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 608 | 53 | 0.913 |
| Reto Berra | 2 | 2 | 72 | 5.83 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 7 | 0.781 |
| Sami Aittokallio | 1 | 1 | 40 | 4.50 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 0.833 |
Performance and Usage Charts for the Colorado Avalanche from last season, from Extra Skater.
