Colorado Avalanche: Catching Up With the Off-Season Acquisitions

It’s hard to believe that regular season is almost over, so it’s a good moment to take a look at those players that joined the Colorado Avalanche this season.

Off-season is weird. There, I said it. Players are scattered all over the world, some get married, and at the same time, each team organization is planning trades and free-agency signings that could either make or break the team. The Colorado Avalanche acquired three players last off-season: Philipp Grubauer, Matt Calvert, and Ian Cole.

The Avs have gone through ups and downs this season (never a dull moment, right?), but these new members of the family have brought a different spark to the team – and in one particular case, a much-needed improvement.

Ian Cole – Columbus Blue Jackets

Cole signed as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche, and wasted no time in showing his skills as a very physical defenseman, which was not bad at the beginning, but has been a bit of an issue lately. Cole leads the Avs in penalty minutes (115), which is not ideal even when the penalty kill unit is at the top of its game.

Still, many fans argue that Cole’s aggressive game is what the team needs to make it to the playoffs and once they get there, saying that those penalty minutes are not as bad. I agree but also I don’t: I don’t mind a defenseman who will not hesitate on using his body to get the puck or clear the zone, but I do mind when that brings a ridiculous amount of penalties.

Setting all those feelings aside, Cole has had an average season when it comes to points. He was out for weeks due to an injury, and in 67 games played so far, he has a total of 14 points (two goals, 12 assists). He has two more years to go on his contract with the Avs, so we’ll see how it goes.

Matt Calvert – Columbus Blue Jackets

Another Blue Jackets alum that also signed with the Avs as a free agent. Calvert has spent this season jumping back and forth between the second and third line, with line-mates like Carl Soderberg, Matt Nieto, Alexander Kerfoot, Tyson Jost, and Derick Brassard, but has proven to be a consistent player.

In 78 games played this season, he has a total of 25 points (11 goals and 14 assists), reaching a new career high. Wonderful things happen when you have Soderberg and Calvert playing together, but Calvert has good chemistry with the team in general… and he won’t hesitate on dropping the gloves for the team. In fact, he is #3 in penalty minutes with 58 (#2 is our beloved Nikita Zadorov, of course).

You know what they say: Calvert giveth, Calvert taketh away. Or something like that.

Calvert’s contract, just like Cole’s, ends in 2021, so there’s still a lot more Calvert-fun to go.

Philipp Grubauer – Washington Capitals

If there’s something we have to thank the Capitals for (aside from all those wonderful videos of their wild Cup celebrations), is trading Philipp Grubauer to Colorado.

Colorado’s main problem, known by every NHL fan, is goaltending. Many were skeptical when Grubauer joined the team but he has now become the Avs’ savior. League-wide, Grubauer isn’t among the top ten in save percentage (he currently sits at #19) nor in other categories, but if we take a look at his individual stats… that’s another story.

In the last seven games with him as starter, Grubauer is 6-0-1. Overall, in 35 games played (32 started), he is 17-9-4. He has undoubtedly brought hope to Avs fans, more so because Semyon Varlamov will hit free agency this summer.

My only concern is having him as starter in too many consecutive games. Bednar might be risking burning his best goalie out before the playoffs and that’s definitely not ideal. On the brighter side, the Avs only had two games this week, giving the team time to recharge.

In Grubi I trust.

The Colorado Avalanche have four more games to go, so light those candles and share those good vibes as they continue to fight for that wildcard spot.