Colorado Avalanche Rebuild: Trade for Stud D-Man
Evaluating the CBJ Defense
Recreating the Colorado Avalanche simply by trading for a stud probably isn’t going to be sufficient. However, it will be the cornerstone of the rebuild.
Now, I’ve gone on record about not liking the team’s affinity for the Columbus Blue Jackets since I think it means assistant GM Chris MacFarland has too much influence:
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However, CBJ’s reconstruction of their blueline is one area where the Avs can take inspiration.
Here are the regulars on the CBJ blueline:
Probably the biggest name on that list is Jack Johnson, who was part of the prestigious US National Development Team Program and has represented his country many times in international competitions. The LA Kings drafted him third overall in 2005, and the Jackets acquired him via trade in 2012 (Johnson and a first round pick for Jeff Carter).
The 29-year-old Johnson is an exceptional athlete with high end skating skills. He can translate his talents into offense, but he’s also a physical presence on the ice. He has excellent ice vision.
Seth Jones is another big name on the roster. He’s another USNDTP player and another high draft pick — fourth overall in 2013 by the Nashville Predators. CBJ acquired him via trade in 2016 for franchise center Ryan Johansen.
The 22-year-old Jones is another impressive athlete who’s great in the back end. He’s a solid two-way defenseman with a booming point shot. Not the most physical of d-men, Seth can nonetheless be a difference-maker in games.
Jones’ partner on the blueline, Zach Werenski, is an exciting player. He was drafted eighth overall in 2015 by the Jackets. He spent last year at Michigan State followed by CBJ’s AHL-affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. While he’s done some time with the Monsters this season, he’s played in 39 games for the Jackets.
The 19-year-old Werenski is a true offensive defenseman. He’s got good size for the position (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) plus a nose for scoring. He’s young, so he’s still learning the position at the NHL level, but he has really good upside. He pairs well with the more defensively-minded Jones.
26-year-old David Savard is Johnson’s d-partner. He’s another CBJ draft, in this case a fourth-rounder from 2009. He’s been a mainstay on the Jackets’ blueline since the 2013-14 season.
At 6-foot-2, 227 pounds, Savard is a solidly-built defenseman. He’s another two-way defender, one who moves the puck well but isn’t going to pot so many in himself. Paired with Johnson, the two can shut down opponents while getting the puck up the ice.
Ryan Murray (23 years old) and Markus Nutivaara (22 years old) comprise the regular third pairing.
Murray was another CBJ high draftee, second overall in 2012. Often injured, Murray missed a lot of his first couple seasons.
Ryan Murray is a poised defenseman who sees the ice well. Middling size for a d-man at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, he’s capable of playing big minutes in games. He has great two-way potential.
Markus Nutivaara was a surprise for the Jackets this season. Columbus drafted him in the seventh round in 2015. He impressed enough in training camp to get a shot with the big team.
The smallest on this list, Markus Nutivaara is the new style of defenseman. He’s not weighty and not a physical defenseman. Instead, he’s a good puck mover who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He’s a good depth guy.
Murray and Nutivaara round out the CBJ blueline by being low-risk defenders. They’re not the flashiest on the ice, but they shouldn’t cost the team games either.
With some tweaking, this model could work for the Colorado Avalanche.