5 Colorado Avalanche Prospects That Can Make The Jump In 2015

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There are plenty of Colorado Avalanche prospects in the system right now who would probably all like to make the NHL team as soon as possible. Of course it is not quite that easy. Avalanche prospects, as well as those of any other team, often have to fight experienced veterans for roster spots. And then of course, there are their fellow prospects.

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Nevertheless, there are some that could very well make the jump in the upcoming season and become full-time Avalanche players. Theoretically, there would not be many teams in the league that offer a better chance for rookies to make the jump than the Avalanche. Practically, however, the situation may turn out to be slightly different.

As analyzed in our big roster outlook, the Colorado Avalanche, well, messed up when they signed some below-average defensemen to fairly big — and even worse — one-way contracts. I don’t want to call out any names, but, er, Brad Stuart, Nick Holden, Nate Guenin. According to generalfanager.com, those three players have a combined salary cap hit of $6.05M — no matter what league they play in. Add to that the one-way contracts of Marc-Andre Cliche and Patrick Bordeleau and you’ve got your prospects a little problem.

5. D Chris Bigras

Sep 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Brad Winchester (55) shoots and scores past Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) as defenseman Chris Bigras (57) in the first period at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bigras was the Avalanche’s second round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He was never really a goal-scoring defenseman — neither for the Barrie Colts Bantam AAA and Minor Midget AAA teams nor for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. However, Bigras scored 20 goals this past season and added 51 assists for 71 points, which made him finish third in team scoring.

It remains to be seen how well his game translates to pro hockey, but at least he was off to a good start. In six games with the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate in Lake Erie, Bigras recorded four points — all assists — in six games.

Furthermore, Bigras is defensively reliable. He could develop a slightly more physical game and put his decent frame — 6-foot-1, 195-pounds — to use more often. If he succeeds in doing so, he may be able to develop into the perfect partner for Erik Johnson in the near future.

It is of course unlikely that Bigras can jump right from junior into the NHL. However, if he proves that he can succeed at the highest level, head coach Patrick Roy may give him a chance right out of training camp. If not, I do not think he will need too much time in the AHL before he is ready. Except for salary cap purposes, it should not be too hard to surpass Nick Holden and Nate Guenin on the depth chart.

Chance of becoming a full-time Avalanche in 2015-16: 45%

Next: D Duncan Siemens

4. D Duncan Siemens

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Duncan Siemens has been a little bit of a problem child for the Avalanche so far. After being drafted 11th overall in 2011, only nine slots behind Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, the expectations were obviously high. Everybody knows that defenseman tend to take longer than forwards to develop, but Siemens is yet a special case.

Maybe Siemens is one of the main reasons why coach Roy has mentioned that he does not like drafting D-men too high. Nevertheless, if Siemens can finally make the jump, he may be exactly what Roy is looking for. He is 6-foot-4 tall and weighs 210-pounds. Not only does he have the large frame coach Roy loves, but he also knows how to use it, throwing big hits and blocking shots whenever he can.

Avalanche fans have been wanting to see Siemens in burgundy and blue for a long time and in the last regular season game 2015 against the Blackhawks, it finally became reality. Siemens’ NHL debut was nothing outstanding, but definitely a decent start. He will be just one step ahead of Chris Bigras going into training camp.

Chance of becoming a full-time Avalanche in 2015-16: 50%

Next: C Freddie Hamilton

3. C Freddie Hamilton

Mar 8, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Freddie Hamilton (13) passes in the third 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

Freddie Hamilton joined the Avalanche late last season, after spending all of his pro-career with the San José Sharks organization. He only needed four games with the Lake Erie Monsters, where he scored a goal and three points, befoe being promoted to the NHL team.

There he appeared in 17 games, but only scored one goal. In his twelve games with the San José Sharks, Hamilton has failed to record a single point. For him it will be important to prove that he can translate his AHL production — 102 points in 196 games — into NHL success. He has definitely shown that he can serve as a reliable bottom-six player, but needs to find his scoring-touch.

It will be hard for him to make the team out of training camp, but he should have a big chance to be either the 13th forward — which may not be the best for his development — or join the NHL team after some more time in the AHL.

Chance of becoming a full-time Avalanche in 2015-16: 60%

Next: G Calvin Pickard

2. G Calvin Pickard

Dec 27, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The importance of a stellar backup goaltender was on display in the 2014-15 season when Reto Berra generally failed to deliver. He did show flashes of great NHL ability, but that was it. This is where Avs prospect Calvin Pickard joins in.

If it wasn’t for Berra, Pickard would easily be Semyon Varlamov’s backup. He is young and consistently good. Plus, he proved that he can be consistently good in the NHL as well, when he posted a .932 save-percentage in 16 games for the Avalanche. However, Berra is there — and he is on a $1.45M one-way contract.

Berra’s contract is too big to store him in the AHL. So a different solution must be found. One of those solutions may be to simply keep Pickard for San Antonio in the AHL and wait for Berra to leave. Still, if the Avalanche find a way to manage the contracts — Pickard is an RFA this off-season — Pickard will have a great chance to spend the majority of the season in the NHL.

Chance of becoming a full-time Avalanche in 2015-16: 70%

Next: C Joey Hishon

1. C Joey Hishon

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Joey Hishon (38) reacts to a goal past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) in the second period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Hishon, or “Hishon the Magician” as he was called in Owen Sound, has been struggling with injuries for his entire career, including his draft year 2010. He even missed the entire 2011-12 season due to a concussion and only appeared in nine games the following year.

However, he seems to have finally arrived. Despite playing in three of the Avalanche’s seven playoff games in 2014 against the Minnesota Wild, Hishon started the following season in Lake Erie. There his 16 goals and 35 points in 52 games and his convincing game were enough to earn him a promotion to the NHL. In 13 games for the Avalanche, Hishon could prove that he has all the tools to succeed as a pro, if he gets the chance to.

Coach Roy loves big forwards and Hishon is only 5-foot-10. But still, Hishon had him convinced enough to keep him up for the last 13 games of the 2014-15 season. If he keeps it up in training camp, there is a great chance that we will see him on the roster on opening night.

Chance of becoming a full-time Avalanche in 2015-16: 80%

Who do you think should make the jump in 2015-16?

Next: Avs Roster Outlook Part 1: Goalies

Next: Avs Roster Outlook Part 2: Defense

Next: Avs Roster Outlook Part 3: Left Wings

Next: Avs Roster Outlook Part 4: Centers

Next: Avs Roster Outlook Part 5: Right Wings

Next: Roster Outlook Part 6: The Lineup

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