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Colorado Avalanche: Prospects Who Haven’t Signed an ELC Yet

ByNadia Archuleta|
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: Sampo Ranta poses for a portrait after being selected 78th overall by the Colorado Avalanche during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: Sampo Ranta poses for a portrait after being selected 78th overall by the Colorado Avalanche during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche have some prospects from the last couple drafts who remain unsigned. Here’s what they’ve been up to.

The Colorado Avalanche have been doing a great job of getting their present and future rosters settled. They’ve been active this summer signing a few unrestricted free agents and their own restricted free agents. They even locked up one of their most valuable young players, defenseman Sam Girard, with an extension before he has the chance to become an RFA.

For now, the roster is shaping up pretty well at both the NHL and AHL levels. What’s more, by all accounts, the future of this young team looks bright. Below are some players that could potentially be part of that future if they earn their entry-level contracts. (For brevity’s sake, I’m not including anyone from the most recent draft.)

Cameron Morrison, Left Wing

Cam Morrison was Colorado’s second-rounder from 2016, #40 overall. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound winger has been playing the last three seasons for the University of Notre Dame. Each year he’s recorded a 20+ point season. He’s already committed to returning to UND for his senior year. That means he could become a UFA next summer if the team doesn’t sign him by the August 15 deadline.

Nathan Clurman, Defenseman

The Colorado Avalanche selected Nate Clurman in the sixth round of 2016, #161 overall. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound defenseman has also been playing for Notre Dame, but just for the one season. Previously he was playing in the USHL. Clurman is actually a Coloradan — he was born and raised in Boulder.

Petr Kvaca, Goalie

Petr Kvaca was Colorado’s fourth-rounder from 2017, going #114 overall. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound goalie has been playing in his native country, the Czech Republic. At the lower level, the 21-year-old recorded a .923 save percentage and 1.8 goals against average last year. Kvaca is slated to play for HC Ocelari Trinec next season, which plays in the top tier Czeck league.

Denis Smirnov, Wing

Denis Smirnov was selected in the sixth round of 2017, #156 overall. He was an overage draft pick. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound winger has spent three years at Penn State University. His first year was his best — 47 points in 39 games — and the reason he got drafted in the second go-round. Since then, he’s recorded 27 and 22 points in each of his respective years.

Nicky Leivermann, Defenseman

Nicky Leivermann was Colorado’s seventh-round pick in 2017, going #187. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound defenseman is also at Notre Dame. The 20-year-old has played only one season with the Fighting Irish. The previous season, he was with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL. Leivermann will be returning to Notre Dame next year.

Justus Annunen, Goalie

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The Colorado Avalanche drafted goalie Justus Annunen in the third round of 2018, #64. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound goalie has been playing in his native Finland. Currently, he’s playing in the World Juniors Summer Showcase. He’s expected to return to Kärpät in the top Finnish league next season.

Sampo Ranta, Left Wing

Sampo Ranta went in the third round of 2018, #78 overall. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left wing has been playing at the University of Minnesota. As a freshman, Ranta recorded 16 points last season (6 goals, 10 assists). Ranta is also playing at the Summer Showcase. He’s expected to return to Minnesota next season.

Tyler Weiss, Left Wing

Tyler Weiss was Colorado’s fourth-rounder from 2018, #109 overall. The 5-foot-10, 159-pound left wing played last season at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. In 25 games, he recorded 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists). He’s slated to return to Omaha next season.

Danila Zhuravlyov, Defenseman

Colorado selected Danila Zhuravlyov in the fifth round of 2018, #146 overall. The 6-foot, 163-pound defenseman has been playing in the Russian leagues. Last year he played mostly for the VHL, the second-highest level of Russian hockey.

Nikolai Kovalenko, Right Wing

Nikolai Kovalenko was Colorado’s sixth-round draft pick from 2018, going #171. The 5-foot-10, 174-pound right wing has been playing for the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL. Last year he had a modest season, just 5 goals and 1 assist as a rookie. He’s slated to play for the team again next year.

Nikolai is the son of former Avalanche Andrei Kovalenko.

Shamil Shmakov, Goalie

The Colorado Avalanche selected Shamil Shmakov in the seventh round of 2018, #202 overall. The 6-foot-6, 194-pound goalie has been playing in the MHL, Russia’s major juniors. His save percentage has ranged between .915 to .932 in his three years with the team.

Shmakov is really tall:

Anyway, the Colorado Avalanche will not sign all of these prospects. They may not even sign most of them. However, at least a couple of the players on this list should have a shot at getting offered an entry-level contract at least.

Who do you think the Avalanche might end up signing?

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