Colorado Avalanche: 5 Players Who Must Have Great Playoffs

DENVER, CO - APRIL 17: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate with teammate Mikko Rantanen #96 after his game winning goal against the Calgary Flames in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Flames 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 04: Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Colorado Avalanche gets called for a roughing penalty for pulling Marcus Sorensen #20 of the San Jose Sharks the ice during the thirf period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Nikita Zadorov

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov is a restricted free agent this summer. Many Avalanche fans think he’s not returning to the team next season. However, I don’t think that decision has been made yet. Colorado doesn’t have a ready replacement for the kind of hockey he plays.

However, he’s seen to be one step out perhaps because he’s often been in the coaching staff’s bad graces. That’s why he needs to have a strong playoff performance, to show what his worth to the team is.

Because make no mistake, his brand of hockey is worthwhile, especially in the playoffs. Playoff hockey amps up the intensity by several notches. It also ramps up the physicality. Zadorov is one of the most physical players we have, so the Avalanche’s success may well depend on his playing and playing well.

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