Colorado Avalanche Get Much Needed Defensive Depth in Andrei Mironov

The Colorado Avalanche are all but guaranteed to have Andrei Mironov’s services on their team this coming season.

Let’s be clear, the contract between the Colorado Avalanche and Andrei Mironov is by no means official. However, in this translated interview, it’s clear his decision to join the club is the most official unofficial announcement out there.

The point is, the Avs should be getting some much needed defensive depth on their roster for next season. This development proves the team is certainly getting younger, and they look to be ramping up for the rebuild.

At this point, Mironov is likely to be a bottom pairing defenseman, but he could quickly move up the ranks. He’s a fluid skater and is extremely responsible in his own end, which teams covet, and which the Avs need desperately.

He may not have an extremely high offensive upside, but he can chip in a few points here and there. Mironov is certainly not billed as an offensively gifted D-man, but he is still young, and has the potential to add to that part of his game.

The fact of the matter is, the Avs will be bringing some much needed help to their blue line this coming season. And, this decision also magnifies the writing on the wall that says Francois Beauchemin will be bought out of his contract.

Andrei Mironov Adds Depth to the Left-Side

Mironov has been playing against men in the KHL since he was 18 years old, he’s certainly keen to the competition of older players. He’s also now 22 years old, so the Avs will be getting some defensive depth that should be ready to step in immediately, a la Nikita Zaitsev of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mironov does not have the same offensive upside as Zaitsev, and he’s a bit younger too, but he looks ready to play in the NHL.

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So, with his added depth the Colorado Avalanche now have two good young defensemen to man the left side in Zadorov and Mironov. All they are missing is a top pairing defenseman along that side. Hopefully that hole will be filled by a Matt Duchene trade, and then the Avs are all of the sudden looking at a pretty nice defensive lineup.

Regardless, Mironov’s services will be much appreciated next season. And, most importantly this could spell the end of Beauchemin’s career with the Avs. A spot on the blueline has to be cleared for Mironov, and that spot is most likely to be vacated by a departure of Beauchemin.

Conclusion

Mironov is likely to join fellow Russians Mikhail Grigorenko, Semyon Varlamov and Nikita Zadorov. Grigs and Zads still need new contracts, but both are likely to be with the team next season. And, Varly is definitely going to be protected in the expansion draft, so he’s not going anywhere.

Next: Expansion Draft Will Determine the Entry Draft for Avs

Adding to the defensive depth is an important thing for the Colorado Avalanche to do. Adding to that depth from your own prospect ranks is always an even better thing to do. Luckily the Avs were able to do that by adding — again officially unofficial — Mironov to their roster.

He’s a good young defenseman with a lot of potential. Most importantly, the kid can skate, and he possesses a great first pass. It’s going to be fun to watch what he is capable of in his first NHL season. This is the first exciting officially unofficial announcement in what promises to be a whirlwind of an offseason.

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