2014-2015 Review

Colorado entered last season with enormous expectations. The young team had managed to win 52 games the season before, and seemed like a lock for the playoffs. Things did not go according to plan. The former first overall pick Nathan MacKinnon only played in 64 games due to injury, Matt Duchene had an off year, and the defense was putrid in front of franchise goalie Semyon Varlamov. The result was no playoff berth for a team that everyone expected to make the playoffs.

New Additions

Francois Beauchemin

One of the most reliable veteran defenders in the league, Beauchemin is an underrated pick up for the Avs. He has a 62 +/- over the last three seasons, and established himself as a top line defender on a Stanley Cup contending team in the Ducks. His performance in last year’s playoffs was particularly strong. He had a 4 +/- to go along with nine assists as the Ducks made it to the Western Conference Finals. For a below average defense short on veteran leadership, Beauchemin is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Carl Soderberg

With the loss of Ryan O’Reilly, Soderberg was needed to fill that third line center role. Although he is 29, he is a late bloomer and has only played two full seasons in the NHL. He has managed to get over 40 points in both of those seasons despite not getting that many minutes. He will be a calming veteran presence on a young team with a lot of talent.

Key Losses

Ryan O’Reilly

O’Reilly put up some impressive numbers over the last couple of years. He has over 50 points in three of the last four years with the other year being the lock out shorten season. His departure means that Duchene and Mackinnon will be counted on more, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how the season goes.

Biggest Strength

Young Stars

Colorado is just loaded which young players that should become stars in the NHL. Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene all got 50 or more points before they turned 21. They were all top 5 picks and have shown flashes of their incredible potential. Tyson Barrie has already played 20 minutes a game and led the team in +/- despite only being 24. Calvin Pickard last year had a .932 SV% and a 2.35 GAA in his first season in the NHL. If they all continue to progress, Colorado will have plenty of star power for years to come.

Biggest Weakness

Defensive Depth

Even though Francois Beauchemin and Tyson Barrie would make for an interesting top line, the team does not have a whole lot behind them. Erik Johnson is the outlier as he is a terrific defender that could challenge those two for a spot on the top line. He led the team with 24:25 minutes a game last year and should be a major contributor again. Brad Stuart and Ian Hejda could see major ice time again, but they are far from the star defenders they were when they were in their prime. Brandon Gormley, who the team recently picked up, could also make a significant contribution, but he is still unproven.

Bottom Line

The Avalanche will have to rely on young players making massive contributions. Under the pressure of enormous expectations last year, Landeskog, Mackinnon and Duchene all digressed when they were being asked to do more. That has to change this year if the team is to make the playoffs. They need their young stars to carry them to the playoffs. The acquisitions of Francois Beauchemin and Carl Soderberg fills holes that the team had, and the team should be better defensively with a healthy Erik Johnson. However, this team is not going anywhere without Landeskog, MacKinnon and Duchene producing.

Fantasy Slant

Most Overrated: Alex Tanguay LW

At the age of 35, Tanguay’s career had a sort of renaissance last year. He picked up more than 50 points for the first time in four years. After years of injury plagued seasons, it seemed like the Tanguay of old was back. Or was it? A crucial reason for Tanguay’s success was the fact that he was able to play in 80 games. He has only managed this feat in 5 of his 15 seasons if you include last year. If you get Tanguay, then you are betting on him staying healthy for another full season, which is just not that likely.

Most Underrated: Gabriel Landeskog LW

He is the youngest captain in the history of the NHL. He has also scored over 50 points in every season that he has played in except for the lock out shortened one. At age 22, his best is yet to come, which means that we should see him improve yet again. If you are looking for a consistent young player who has the potential for a big, breakout season he is your man.

Biggest Surprise: Nathan MacKinnon C

Last year was a season to forget for the young MacKinnon. After scoring 63 points as a teenager two seasons ago, last year he only scored 38. Injuries and being benched destroyed any chance of a proper sophomore season. With the sophomore slump out of the way, MacKinnon should return to being a dominant force on one of the top two lines in Colorado.