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Colorado Avalanche: 5 Reasons For Optimism

By Austin Manak |
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The Colorado Avalanche, you, and I have a lot in common right now. We will all be at home watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the next two months.

Yowza. Despite the moderate burn to start things off, this article is actually going to be a nice dose of optimism and positivity. My goal is to hone in on reasons for hope.

Although this season was disappointing for everyone in Avalanche Nation, I don’t see it as a reason to hang our heads. The future is still bright. This team is still full of charismatic and talented players. Denver is still full of amazing fans. I believe that Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic will do everything in their power to make this team a success.

So, in another edition of keep your chin up Avalanche fans, let’s dig into a few reasons you should be stoked for the future of this team.

1. Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic

May 28 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche executive of hockey operations Joe Sakic (right) and head coach Patrick Roy (center) and president Josh Kroenke (left) pose for a photo during a press conference held at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Just look at Josh Kroenke smiling away in this picture. He knows.

If I were a betting man, I’d bet on Sakic and Roy. These two guys are central figures in Avalanche history, are as passionate about hockey as anyone, and both are looking to bring a winning culture back to the Avs organization for the long haul.

Roy has shown an incredible amount of passion as a coach. He stands behind his players, and has the respect of the locker room. His most surprising trait since stepping on the bench for Colorado has been his patient demeanor. Roy hasn’t gotten worked up about the little things — instead, he focuses on the big picture. For a coach, these are all excellent traits to have, critical for success.

I wouldn’t rather have anyone else running this team right now. Roy and Sakic were winners as players. I just have a gut-feeling they will find a way to be winners in suits as well.

Sakic still seems to be getting his feet wet, and learning the ropes of being an NHL GM on the fly. What Sakic has going for him, is a tremendous amount of respect around the league. Much like John Elway has been for the Broncos, Sakic has the potential to be a recruiter of talent to the Mile High City.

Have Roy and Sakic been perfect since taking over? No. I myself have offered up criticism of some of their asset management decisions. Roy has at times seemed stubborn favoring “hard-nosed” players such as McLeod and Cliche, who offer limited offensive upside, over seemingly more talented options such as Joey Hishon.

That being said, I think these guys have a plan. I wouldn’t rather have anyone else running this team right now. Roy and Sakic were winners as players. I just have a gut-feeling they will find a way to be winners in suits as well.

2. Nathan MacKinnon

Dec 11, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during a breakaway with the puck in the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to reasons for optimism on the ice with the Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon stands at center-ice. I worked hard to find a picture that corresponds with that line.

The wonder-kid may not have had the explosive offensive season many thought he might have had in his encore performance after a Calder-winning rookie campaign.

MacK finished the year with 14 goals and 24 assists in 64 games. He seemed to be coming on, with a hat-trick, and a nice run of points prior to breaking his foot in mid-February. Perhaps a sign of things to come?

My not so bold prediction is that Nathan MacKinnon is going to have his breakout year, just a year later than we all expected. MacK generated 11.01 shots per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this past season, which ranks him 5th in the NHL in that category amongst players who logged 200+ minutes this season.

MacKinnon is a future Art Ross, and Rocket Richard trophy winner.  He oozes talent, and rockets for skates. It’s going to be a treat watching this guy play in Denver for the next decade.

That’s right. MacKinnon generated shots at a rate higher than Ovechkin while playing 5-on-5 hockey. You have to expect that Nathan doesn’t shoot at a 7.10% clip next season. His goal-scoring numbers will go up, just by the odds evening out in his favor. Not to mention the fact, I think he will simply come back a much better player.

MacKinnon will be another year wiser. Last off-season, MacKinnon worked on his physical stature. This off-season, I’m hoping he works on the mental aspects of hockey. And in part, that part of his game will develop naturally just by having another year of experience.

MacKinnon is a future Art Ross, and Rocket Richard trophy winner.  He oozes talent, and rockets for skates. It’s going to be a treat watching this guy play in Denver for the next decade.

3. Motivated and hungry core

You’ve probably heard the phrase “learning experience” a few times this season, and will probably hear it as a bit of a rallying cry moving forward.

I think the core of the Avalanche will come back hungry for more than just breakfast burritos next season…

… sorry, I’m back. Had to go make myself a breakfast burrito. It sounded amazing, and was.

Erik Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon will be back from injuries that shortened their seasons. They have proven themselves as key members of the Avalanche core, but will look to prove to the league that they are two of the best at their respective positions going forward.

Gabriel Landeskog has been coming into his own as a captain, and his ability to lead this team should really start to come to fruition. Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly. These guys have already seen a few ups and downs since putting on the burgundy. I’m sure they will be motivated to ensure that this team is on the up-swing for years to come.

Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay are in the twilights of their careers. Iggy wants his first cup, and Tangs probably wouldn’t mind another cup run himself. I’m sure they’ll be motivated.

I think adversity can tear a team apart, or bring a team together, and form the foundation upon which future success is built upon. The Avalanche are a young team, for the most part, with plenty of opportunities for success still in front of them. I 100% believe that this team will benefit from not accomplishing their goals this season. I believe this team came together this past season.

That hunger and a chip on their shoulder is a good thing. Especially in a league where you can’t take anything for granted.

 4. #VarlyVarly

Mar 8, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie

Semyon Varlamov

(1) looks for the puck in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Semyon Varlamov has a Vezina Trophy worthy season in him during the duration of his contract. In fact, he probably had one in 2013-14 when he led the Avalanche to 112 points and the Central Division crown.

If the Avalanche can shore up their defense in the next year or two, Varly’s already impressive numbers are going to get downright silly.

They say you need a stud goaltender to win a Cup, and many teams are always searching to find one. The Avalanche are lucky to already have one in the fold, and I expect big things from the Russian goalie. If the Avalanche’s talented goal-scorers get hot at the same time as Varlamov — Watch out!

The Avalanche may have a few missing pieces, but in my mind, they already have the most important piece in place. And that’s as good a reason for optimism as any.

5. The defensive prospects

View image | gettyimages.com

The Avalanche need to make improvements to their defensive core to contend. I think this is a fair statement.

After Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie, there are a few aging pieces who are slowing down and a few guys who are being asked to fill roles above their skill-sets.

The good news is, the Avalanche have some very exciting defensive prospects in their system.

Mason Geertsen, pictured above, is a big and physical d-man. Greertsen has really emerged as a top prospect for Colorado, despite being a 4th round pick. He takes care of his own end, has some surprising offensive skills (including a big shot), and was the MVP of his junior team, the Vancouver Giants.

Opposite of Geertsen, is Chris Bigras. Stylistically, the two players are very different. Bigras doesn’t possess the imposing frame and body mass that Geertsen has, but he does have excellent positioning, footwork, and hockey IQ. Bigras tore up the OHL this past season with his Owen Sound Attack, scoring 20 goals and 51 assists in just 62 games.

Mason Geertsen, Chris Bigras, Kyle Wood, and Duncan Siemens give the Avalanche a bevy of youngsters who could soon transform their d-core into something to be reckoned with

The Avalanche also still have Duncan Siemens, who made his NHL debut in the season finale against Chicago. Siemens is a big, nasty, stay at home guy. His trajectory to the NHL hasn’t been quick, but he may still have a role as a shut-down guy for this team in the future.

Kyle Wood is another name to keep in your back pocket. Wood is huge, at 6’5″ and 229 lbs. He needs to work on his footwork and mobility, but he is an intimidating dude. Wood also pitches in frequently on the offensive end. He has put up a line of 16 goals and 24 assists in 67 games. Wood already has a big shot from the point, and with his frame, he may just be turn that shot into an elite weapon and ride it to the NHL someday. At 18 years old he isn’t an immediate fix, and will need some seasoning. But 2 or 3 years down the line, you might be hearing his name a lot.

Next: Top 5 moments from 2014-15 for the Avalanche

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