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Colorado Avalanche Upcoming Season in a Nutshell

By Michael Neifert

Apr 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Zach Redmond (22) following his goal skates back to center ice with defenseman Erik Johnson (6) and center Mikhail Grigorenko (25) and center Shawn Matthias (18) in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Pepsi Center. The Ducks defeated the Avalanche 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Zach Redmond (22) following his goal skates back to center ice with defenseman Erik Johnson (6) and center Mikhail Grigorenko (25) and center Shawn Matthias (18) in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Pepsi Center. The Ducks defeated the Avalanche 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche have some of the pieces in place to be a successful team. Tweaks are needed to make the playoffs and become a contender.

The Colorado Avalanche didn’t have the 2015-16 season that we all wanted. The previous season wasn’t so hot either. While a lot of role players have come and gone, the core remains the same.

An in-depth look at every facet of the Colorado Avalanche is needed. For now, let’s start with a quick overview of each section of the team.

Colorado Avalanche Goaltending

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The Colorado Avalanche will go as far as goalie Semyon Varlamov takes them. If he’s injured or has any off ice issues, the Avs will be in the draft lottery again. The Colorado Avalanche’s lost season, 2015-16, wasn’t because of goaltending — not completely. Varly has to take some of the blame, as he wasn’t sharp much of the year. His statistics show this, especially his GAA (2.81) and his win-loss record.

Calvin Pickard proved he could be an NHL goalie and that he’s the future netminder for the Avalanche. His win-loss was solid, considering, as was his save percentage (.922). With more help in front of Picks and Varly, goaltending shouldn’t be an issue, barring injury.

I realize that Reto Berra wasn’t going to play much this year but trading him for Rocco Grimaldi? I’m sorry, but every time I watched Berra play, he looked better then any guy that couldn’t get on the ice for the Panthers. Grimaldi better be fast, because at 5’6″ and 180 lbs there’s not much of him. I’m not sure about this one.

Colorado Avalanche Defense

Here’s where they may go off the rails, a bit. The Colorado Avalanche do not have a top flight defensemen. Beauchemin is a solid second pair guy, and Barrie is impossible to contain. When he’s skating, there’s not a lot in the cupboard.

Erik Johnson is an amazing talent — every tenth game or so. If someone, anyone, can light a fire under his bee-hind to get him to play consistently! That coach deserves a raise and the Jack Adams award. Until that coach is found…

Everyone else? Even the guys GM Joe Sakic signed over the summer are all 15-18 minutes a game guys. The Avalanche aren’t going anywhere near the playoffs unless someone in the back six makes a huge jump. They don’t need to play better as defenders. They need to make much better passes exiting their zone. And cut out the turnovers. I hope these guys Sakic signed are great passers.

Colorado Avalanche Forwards

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I like this core of forwards. Young and fast, great size — the strength and consistency will come. Someone in the Colorado Avalanche’s front office needs to show Nathan MacKinnon video of Milan Heduk shooting from between the circles. Nate you dont have to dink the goalie every time.

I’m starting to wonder if Matt Duchenne has gotten used to losing. Could we please keep Duchene on a line with MacKinnon? Those two should be together, with Gabriel Landeskog or not, either way. Together, they are electric.

If Jarome Iginla decides to play, can we drop him to the third line? Anywhere but on a line with Dutch. Well, not on the fourth line, they’re special together. Iggy needs to play the point on the power play and continue being an anchor in the locker room. Hopefully he’s whispering in Landeskog’s ear about how to handle the locker room (more on this later).

The fourth line? Leave it as constructed — they were special last year.

Special Teams

The power play comes down to this — if they win the initial face off, the Colorado Avalanche will have a good two minutes. If not we’ll watch them beat their heads against the opposing team’s blue line, to little or no avail. One of the Avalanche’s offensive strengths is the rush, so how can they look so inept with the man advantage?

Concerning the penalty kill, there were times last year that the PK was impenetrable. Then there were others that I could have scored if I was playing the weak side point. Consistency is all that’s needed if the loss of Nick Holden and others is not felt here.

Coaching

The Colorado Avalanche should extend Patrick Roy’s deal while his value remains reasonable. He’s going to be a great coach. The intelligence and competitive fire are there. Coach Bill Belichick started in Cleveland, was fired and became great in New England. The absolute worst thing that could happen is if the team plays so poorly that Sakic is forced to make a change, costing Paddy his job.

The addition of assistant coach Nolan Pratt will hopefully help solidify the defense. Francois Allaire’s best student is in charge, in back of the bench.

Next: Goalie Jeremy Smith is Set to Shine

That’s the Colorado Avalanche in a nutshell. By the way, I’m a new contributor here at Mile High Sticking and FanSided and I would like to thank them for this opportunity.

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