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Colorado Avalanche: Joonas Donskoi 2019-2020 Season Outlook

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Joonas Donskoi #27of the San Jose Sharks attempts to get past Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Joonas Donskoi #27of the San Jose Sharks attempts to get past Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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One of the Colorado Avalanche’s newest players, Joonas Donskoi, looks set to fit in well with his new team.

The Colorado Avalanche have a good mix on their roster. They didn’t make any big splashes in the offseason, but they did a good job with the signings they made in free agency.

The team signed right wing Joonas Donskoi in the offseason as a way of bolstering their secondary scoring. The 27-year-old Finn has only ever played for San Jose in the NHL, so this year marks his first transition to another team.

I watched him at captain’s practice the other day. He seems to be fitting in well. He’s already studying the team and learning how to adapt to their style, which is very different from San Jose’s.

Donskoi is going to be new to us this season. I did complete a Season in Review for him:

Related Story. Donskoi's Season in Review. light

Now, let’s get a look at what we might be able to hope from him in the upcoming year. But first, a recap.

2018-19 Stats

Joonas Donskoi played in 80 regular season games for the San Jose Sharks. In that time, he recorded 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points. He played third-line minutes (13:25) for the Sharks and saw some time on the power play.

Donskoi only played 12 of San Jose’s 20 playoff games. He missed a few games to undisclosed injuries. In those 12 games, he recorded one goal and two assists. The lone goal was a game-winner against the Avalanche, so, moving on.

Overall, Donskoi played a pretty even game. He blocked 36 shots, made 36 hits, and recorded a 24:38 takeaway to giveaway ratio. His CorsiFor was 54%

Projected 2019-20 Role

As noted, the acquisition of Joonas Donskoi is to hopefully promote some scoring other than the top line. The winger isn’t a prolific scorer, but the home is he can put up some decent numbers.

He’s meant to be a middle-six forward. I have him slated for the third line, which is the role he had with the Sharks. However, I’m sure the coaching staff will bump him up to the second line on occasion.

I’d say he’s also meant to play something of a leader. He’s only 27, but he’s got a lot of playoff experience. In just for NHL seasons, he’s amassed 50 playoff games.

More Season Outlooks:

Projected 2019-20 Stats

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I feel like the Sharks play a heavy game, and that’s not suitable for a player in Donskoi’s style. He’s more of a skater with finesse in his game and a man who studies his teammates to play with them better. That kind of player is better suited for the Colorado Avalanche’s style of hockey.

So, even though I don’t think Donskoi’s role is going to improve here in Colorado necessarily, I think he’s going to fit in better. He might still only get around 13 to 14 minutes a game, but I think Colorado’s style will suit him better.

Across his career with the Sharks, Donskoi averaged 0.43 points per game, with his best year being 0.48. For a full 82-game season, that puts him right at 38 again. I think, in a full 82-game season, Donskoi might be able to crack the 40-point mark for the second time in his career.

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The Colorado Avalanche veterans will report for official camp on Thursday, but they’re already practicing informally. Donskoi is right there with them. He seems ready for the next chapter in his career.

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