Colorado Avalanche Rumors: Andreas Martinsen to join Avs?

Rumor has it that 24-year-old forward Andreas Martinsen from the Düsseldorfer EG (DEL, Germany) may be joining the Colorado Avalanche for next season. Martinsen stands 6-foot-3 and weighs in at about 200 pounds. Nothing is confirmed yet, except for the fact that Martinsen is leaving for the NHL.

There have been sightings of scouts from Pittsburgh and Los Angeles as well, but the Avalanche seemed to have the biggest interest. In my opinion, they would also be the best fit. Marc-Andre Cliche is not an NHL-caliber forward and the right wing depth is a weakness as well.

The Norwegian forward mostly played on the right wing of former Norwegian Ken Andre Olimb on Düsseldorf’s first line, with Daniel Fischbuch on the other wing. He also spent some time playing center. Martinsen recorded 34 goals and 85 points in 156 DEL-games between 2012 and 2015.

The gritty power-forward that has also suited up for the Norwegian national team in 32 games, likes to play a physical but very skilled game. He likes to crash the net and shoot the puck himself. His large frame will help him to succeed in North America.

Martinsen was an outstanding player for Düsseldorf this season but significantly regressed during the last weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. One possibility is that he was playing more carefully, trying not to get injured before going to North America. While that is kind of understandable for a young man chasing his dream, it would not show good character. If he simply regressed, despite giving everything he had, that would not help him very much either. But we shall see.

If Martinsen did/will indeed sign with the Avalanche, he will most likely start the season in the AHL, similar to European signees Denis Everberg and Borna Rendulic. The last player that got signed out of Germany was David Wolf (Calgary Flames).