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Colorado Avalanche: Size of the Roster Will Impact the Team

By Ross Sellers

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It’s no secret that the Colorado Avalanche got bigger in almost every regard this offseason. But, this size might not make that much of a difference, and — like the picture above depicts — the Avalanche might rely heavily on Semyon Varlamov to make the playoffs next season.

Nonetheless, the Avalanche still made some moves to increase size and skill at certain positions. In order to illustrate this, let’s take a look at the subtractions from the roster, and how they were replaced. We also can’t leave out this year’s draft to a certain degree, because it shows a clear trend that points to size and skill as well.

Notable Colorado Avalanche Subtractions:

Notable Colorado Avalanche Additions:

*All stats received from NHL.com

Also, if one feels so inclined, then check out this video from the NHL network:

A Quick Stab at Height and Skill

As one can easily tell — along with the names — a lot has changed between these five additions and subtractions. I just relate the positions where they correlate (I should have put them so that the top related to the bottom directly; alas, hindsight is 20/20, and rewind is a television thing).

So, Soderberg replaces O’Reilly, Zadorov replaces Wilson, Grigorenko replaces Briere, Comeau replaces McGinn, and Beauchemin replaces Hejda.

It doesn’t really seem like there is that much difference in size does it? Oh well, article over I’ve obviously misread the situation. Oh that’s right, I talked about skill too.

Well, Hejda was pretty good, but he was aging… oh yeah that other guy is aging too, dammit… Hold on, Hejda is 37 and he played pretty well last season. However, he is certainly not top-pairing quality and Beauchemin might be, and he’s only 35.

Aside from this little dilemma, and the obvious decline in skill between Soderberg and O’Reilly, the Colorado Avalanche made some serious upgrades in their roster this offseason.

Sure, guys like Zadorov and Grigorenko are unproven, but you can’t tell me that Wilson has more upside than Zadorov. Or, that you wouldn’t sacrifice Briere’s age and obvious inability to play the level he needs to for Grigorenko’s young body and the high ceiling of potential he has.

It’s pretty plain and simple folks, the Colorado Avalanche wants to get bigger, they want to grittier, and they want to ensure that their opponents feel the game they have with them when it’s all said and done.

And, we must not forget the acquisition of Blake Comeau. Jamie McGinn is a class-act guy with pretty much the same ability as Comeau. However, Comeau didn’t serve a trade purpose like McGinn, and his injury history is a little more acceptable than McGinn’s. Plus, he’s got veteran leadership, and knows how to play with highly skilled guys like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

For the sake of time, I’m not going to analyze every draft pick from this year, I’m only going to divulge the important information: The Colorado Avalanche did not draft anyone under the size of 6-foot-1, 180 pounds (Jean-Christophe Beaudin), and even went out on a limb for Gustav Olhaver in the 7th round, who is 6-foot-6, 215 pounds. For the full draft grade and review, follow this link.

It’s pretty plain and simple folks, the Colorado Avalanche wants to get bigger, they want to grittier and they want to ensure that their opponents feel the game they have with them when it’s all said and done. However, will this size and skill really correlate to the necessities (an increase in possession numbers, an edge to our game, and a respect from other teams)?

How Will This New Size Impact the Colorado Avalanche?

After watching last season, the avid fan came away with disappointment, but more importantly with a clear desire for the team during the offseason. Luckily, the fan’s desires and management’s desires aligned. The Colorado Avalanche picked up two strong defensive upgrades (if Beauchemin turns out) and got rid of a distraction in the locker room from O’Reilly.

They also seemingly upgraded in skill, as I mentioned above, with the acquisitions of Zadorov and Beauchemin (regardless of his age). However, they also lost a high-end talent in O’Reilly, and it’s up to the supporting cast signed during the offseason to make sure his absence isn’t sorely missed, like Paul Stastny’s seemingly was last season.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that the Avalanche is seeking size based off of their offseason signings and trades, and the draft picks they made at this year’s NHL draft. So, how will this size change the team? Will it even make a difference or is there an underlying issue that must be addressed first.

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The issue — or at least the idea of an issue — I speak of is Patrick Roy’s system and play style. Possession numbers have been a problem for the Avalanche for a few years now, because even under Joe Sacco’s tutelage, the Avalanche was pretty dismal. However, that was during their supposed rebuild years, so it’s to be expected to a certain degree.

Patrick Roy was basically working with the same roster Sacco had during these past two seasons. So, perhaps the issue really did rest with the player personnel. Or maybe Patrick Roy truly does not give a rat’s back-side about the possession numbers, but his signings this season, and during the draft, point to a desire for more possession of the puck.

Either way, as fans, we’ll have to wait until the season to see if it is his coaching style or the player personnel that were/are causing the issues with possession numbers. But there is one stitch loose in this plan, there is still unproven talent on the Avalanche roster, so the possession numbers may only increase marginally.

Still, it’s very likely that the size of the roster will go a long way toward increasing our possession numbers. NHL teams in the Western Conference are huge, and have won 5 out of the last 6 Stanley Cups. This shows in the Eastern Conference as well, because the Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the biggest teams in the East, and they made the Stanley Cup Final last year without too many hurdles necessary.

In order to stack up against the West, the Colorado Avalanche needed to get bigger. But, this size has to be put to use properly, which might mean a change in Roy’s forecheck and defensive structure.

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In order to put size to use, forwards must get in the corners, and bruise the other players without remorse in the offensive zone, creating chances from below the net and sideboards. Furthermore, defensive structures need to be tighter, keeping the puck at the points and pressuring players below the goal line. These are general guidelines to a successful team regardless of size, but with the proper size, they can be put to use more effectively.

Perhaps the most important aspect to a possession conscious team, however, has to be the exit pass from the defensive zone. With the skill the Avalanche signed at the defensive position — through the O’Reilly trade and during the offseason — Avalanche fans should see better zone exits.

Most Likely Outcome

The Colorado Avalanche did increase their size, but they sacrificed one of the best up-and-coming defensive forwards in the league along with this size. It is inevitable that the Colorado Avalanche will miss Ryan O’Reilly because he will be a future Selke winner.

However, Grigorenko has the potential to be an elite player if he can find his mojo underneath Roy’s wing, and Nikita Zadorov is there already, folks. Next season will be Zadorov’s breakout year, and he should be worth the trade alone. If Grigorenko also turns out, then the Colorado Avalanche will have won this trade.

With the other size added, along with another year of experience under the belt of some of the young guns, the Colorado Avalanche could see an increase in possession numbers. Honestly, the size should help a bit, but exit passes by the defensemen from our zone should help more than anything else.

The Colorado Avalanche forwards sport enough skill to hold the puck in the opposing zone, and should see an increase in these events with size in the corners. If the Avalanche see an increased effort (bruising the corners) in their own zone from forwards, along with quicker zone exits and accurate passes from defensemen, then possession numbers should increase to an average clip.

But, with the skill-set lost in O’Reilly, and the unproven talent of Grigorenko, along with Soderberg’s debut on the second line, much is left up to question about the Avalanche (as has been discussed all offseason).

The Colorado Avalanche needs some serious showings from the players they have entrusted this offseason. If these players show up to a productive degree, Avalanche fans should see a dangerous team during the season, and even a threat of a team during the postseason. If some of the new signings underwhelm — as is likely — then the Avalanche will be looking at another lottery pick, and next year will be the year.

“There’s always next year” is the quote of defeated people who long for next year to truly be the year. But, if the Avalanche is really staring down another lottery pick, then next year really could be the year.

With Rantanen likely to make his debut next year, along with young d-prospects Mason Geertsen and Chris Bigras, next year really could be the year. However, that’s neither here nor there, and I’ll explore that — if it really comes to it — during next year’s boring offseason.

What do you think about the increased size in the Colorado Avalanche roster? Do you think that it will impact the team? Most importantly, will the changes on the roster constitute to a change in possession stats? Let us know in the comments! 

Next: Sean Tierney's Outsider's Opinion on the Colorado Avalanche

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