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Colorado Avalanche: Predicting the 2015-16 Top Scorers

By Janik Beichler |
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Jan 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after a goal by right winger Jarome Iginla (12) during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche has a very nice collection of elite players on their roster. From 19-year-old Nathan MacKinnon to 38-year-old veteran Jarome Iginla, there are more than a few players who know how to score. But who is the favorite to score the most points next season?

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In the 2014-15 campaign, the scoring race was extremely tight. Two players (Iginla and Gabriel Landeskog) were tied at 59 points, and three more (Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly and Alex Tanguay) were tied at 55, while D-man Tyson Barrie recorded 53 points — an impressive number for a defenseman by the way.

None of the Avalanche’s top forwards got to the 60-point mark, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Minnesota Wild made the playoffs in 2015 — which should be the Avs’ goal in 2016 — while having only three players recording 50 or more points, with Zach Parise being the team’s top scorer at 62. Balanced scoring works, when the defense does as well.

That said, we sure wouldn’t mind some better performances from individual players. Here’s who could be that Colorado Avalanche top scorer of 2015-16.

Next: Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mentions

Jan 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla (12) is congratulated for his goal by left wing Alex Tanguay (40) in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla was the Avalanche’s top scorer in the 2014-15 season, recording 29 goals and 59 points. The prior season, Iginla did almost the same, scoring 30 goals and 61 points. Now that he is 38 years old, it seems unlikely for him to shoot past that number again. Playing with Duchene, he may get to around 60 one more time.

2014-15 point total: 59 points

2015-16 projection: 55 points

Alex Tanguay

Alex Tanguay is the other one of the Colorado Avalanche’s veterans on the first line. In 2014-15, he wasn’t quite as good as Iginla, but he also isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. If some other players get a chance to play on the first line with Duchene, Tanguay may end up getting less than last year’s 55 points.

2014-15 point total: 55 points

2015-16 projection: 50 points

Next: Avs Top Scorer Candidate #3

Top Scorer Candidate #3 – Gabriel Landeskog

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) attempts a shot on goal in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Gabriel Landeskog has never been known as a pure goal scorer, who would be expected to score a point per game. He is rather famous for his two-way play, paired with a lot of skill and the ability to score at a decent pace.

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In his draft year, Landekog scored “only” 66 points in 53 games for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, which can be considered low for a second-overall pick. However, he went on to score 52 points in his NHL rookie season in 2011-12, and 65 points in the Central Division title winning season 2013-14. That year, he even scored 26 goals, which is a really good number. In 2014-15, he was tied for the Colorado Avalanche scoring title with Iginla.

So, as we can see, Landeskog does know how to score, even though that isn’t the one and only focus of his game. He is expected to play on his countryman Carl Soderberg’s wing, and it remains to be seen how well that works out. Then again, Landeskog and MacKinnon have the talent to carry Soderberg, in case he struggles on the second line.

2014-15 point total: 59 points

2015-16 projection: 65 points

Next: Avs Top Scorer Candidate #2

Top Scorer Candidate #2 – Nathan MacKinnon

Feb 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) (center) reacts to his hat trick goal in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In his draft year, Nathan MacKinnon was said to be one of the most talented players since Sidney Crosby. Nevertheless, it was a surprise to many, when the Colorado Avalanche picked him first overall over defenseman Seth Jones, who ended up being drafted by the Nashville Predators.

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MacKinnon did his best to prove that his team made the right decision, scoring 63 points in an outstanding rookie campaign, which made him a lock to win the Calder Trophy in 2014. Unfortunately, his sophomore season wasn’t quite as successful, as MacKinnon only recorded 38 points in an injury-shortened season.

However, Nathan MacKinnon still is one of the most talented players since Sidney Crosby. The whole team was in a slum last season; MacKinnon was just part of it. He lost a great line mate in Ryan O’Reilly, who will lace up his skates for the Buffalo Sabres in the future, but MacKinnon should be able to carry the line with Gabriel Landeskog.

2014-15 point total: 38 points

2015-16 projection: 65 points

Next: Avs Top Scorer Candidate #1

Top Scorer Candidate #1 – Matt Duchene

Feb 5, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) controls the puck late in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center. The Red Wings defeat the Avalanche 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

As Mile High Sticking writer Jeremy Lambert recently wrote, he is ready for Matt Duchene to step up. There probably isn’t anyone who is not ready for that.

In the lockout-shortened season of 2012-13, as well of that of 2013-14, Duchene scored almost a point per game. To be exact, it was 43 points in 47 games in 2013 and 70 points in 71 games in 2014. Then came last season, which was, as said before, a slump by the entire team.

While less and less players even make it to the 80-point mark anymore — only five players made it in 2014-15 — Duchene should at least get close to that. After all, he was supposed to be just about as talented as John Tavares, who was drafted first overall in Duchene’s draft year 2009, and was one point short of winning the 2015 NHL scoring title. Not only was he supposed to be that good, but he still looks like one day he should be able to get close to what Tavares does.

2014-15 point total: 55 points

2015-16 projection: 70 points

Next: Conclusion

Conclusion

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate the win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Even though Ryan O’Reilly is gone, there should be an increase in scoring compared to the 2014-15 campaign. The Colorado Avalanche has a lot of extremely talented players, at least five of which can compete for the team’s scoring title.

In the end, it should be Matt Duchene, however, to step up and carry this team into the playoffs, or at least as far as they can get. The same goes for captain Gabriel Landeskog. There shouldn’t be too much pressure put on Nathan MacKinnon just yet, but he has the potential to come back from his “sophomore slump” as early as next season.

All that scoring will not be enough, though. The defense really needs to hold up, in order to get wins out of the goals. Furthermore, the team’s core needs good performances from the supporting cast. If all that is given, there is no reason why we shouldn’t see playoff hockey in Colorado next year.

Who do you think will win the Colorado Avalanche’s team-internal scoring contest? Let us know in the comments!

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Next: Who's Ready for Matt Duchene to Step Up?

Next: Predicting Avs Players at World Cup of Hockey

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