The Colorado Avalanche have extra questions than solutions going into the 2024 offseason. Although it was simply three seasons in the past, it appears like ages for the reason that crew received the Stanley Cup in 2022. A lot of the inspiration remains to be in place however main modifications could also be coming.
After shedding to the Dallas Stars within the second spherical of the 2024 Playoffs, the Avalanche will flip to the NHL Draft to bolster the farm system and set the franchise up for future success. Not having second- or third-round picks presents a problem, nonetheless.
Associated: Avalanche 2024 Draft Goal: Cole Beaudoin
Going into the draft, the Avalanche should make an affect. There are gamers within the group now that might be seen as early as the approaching season, however this draft will have an effect for years to come back. Right here are some things the crew must be trying to tackle.
Two-Approach Middle
The Avalanche haven’t been the identical since Nazem Kadri left for the Calgary Flames and a fats free agent deal. In the course of the 2021-22 season, Kadri scored 28 objectives and 87 factors and offered the type of two-way play that hasn’t been seen since.
Whereas Casey Mittelstadt is a tremendous scoring middle that has turn out to be higher from a two-way perspective, he isn’t in that class. The Avalanche want that reliable participant in the midst of the lineup that may win faceoffs, play lockdown protection, and contribute offense at very important durations.
Discovering somebody like that might additionally present flexibility for Mittelstadt to maneuver across the lineup. Callum Ritchie might be that man however might not be prepared fairly but. Including one other strong prospect like Cole Beaudoin would positively bolster the organizational depth.
Center-Six Scoring Winger
That is definitely the biggest asterisk in the case of the Avalanche. Captain Gabriel Landeskog remains to be an unknown entity as he continues to get better from a knee damage. He missed the whole 2023-24 season and remains to be questionable for 2024-25.
Then there may be the Valeri Nichushkin downside. He left in the midst of the playoffs to enter the league’s substance abuse program and there’s a very actual chance that he could also be finished with the Avalanche.
Prospects like Maros Jedlicka and Oskar Olausson have expertise however don’t appear like positive issues. Discovering middle-six scoring on the wings additional into the draft is one thing that the Avalanche have to control.
Keep-at-Residence Defenseman
The Avalanche have Devon Toews as their high shutdown man, however they positively have a sort in the case of defensemen. Jeremy Hanzel, Sean Behrens, and Mikhail Gulyayev have expertise however none of them is overtly bodily.
On condition that their greatest want is depth on protection, discovering extra dependable defenders with restricted offensive upside is perhaps the play given the standard of prospects within the pool. Discovering measurement and a imply streak on protection can be a pleasant organizational add.
Goaltender
Although the Avalanche have been damage by their lack of depth and key losses like Nichushkin and Landeskog, goaltending was the Achilles heel of the 2023-24 season. Alexandar Georgiev was tremendous however not nice this season, particularly within the playoffs. Respectfully, he’s not the man.
Justus Annunen could be the high goaltending prospect within the pool however he’s wanting like extra of a 3rd goalie than a real backup. Discovering a goaltender that they’ll hone and information to turn out to be the goaltender of the longer term must be on the forefront of the group’s thoughts.
They’ve a couple of guys that would perhaps finally see spot responsibility within the NHL however aren’t a risk to turn out to be long-term backups not to mention a starter. This is likely one of the weaker goalie draft lessons in years however with six picks between Rounds 4 and seven, this might be a implausible alternative to take a couple of guys that would probably be developed over the following few years.
Not a Fast Repair
It is very important observe that there probably isn’t going to be a repair coming from this draft class any time quickly. Selecting 24th means that you’re getting a prospect who may see the lineup in three or 4 years except you discover a diamond within the tough.
It’s extra about placing a basis in place all through the group, creating these prospects, and finally offering the core – Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and so forth. – with assist down the road.
The Avalanche are additionally in a little bit of a cap crunch and wish to search out low-cost, younger alternate options to fill out their lineup with out taking a serious hit. That’s simpler stated than finished however stays the problem for the second.
