The Colorado Avalanche check off most of the boxes needed for a Stanley Cup contender heading into the stretch run this season.
According to The Athletic’s Stanley Cup checklist, the Colorado Avalanche ticks off all the key boxes. However, some questions remain regarding their depth. Let’s dive in.
The Athletic’s Stanley Cup contender measures two metrics: Positional performance for the current season and an average over the last three years. When looking at Colorado, the key boxes are there. But it’s the remaining boxes that raise some questions.
Check out the graphic here.
The Avalanche get full marks for an elite center (Nathan MacKinnon) and an elite defenseman (Cale Makar). The addition of MacKenzie Blackwood also checks off the box for an elite goaltender. The only question mark here is Martin Necas as an elite winger.
Now, if it had been Mikko Rantanen in place of Necas, the Avs would get full marks. However, Necas’ lack of consideration as an elite winger must be taken with a grain of salt. Necas played his entire career in Carolina before joining Colorado. If Necas had played the last three seasons in Colorado, in my estimation, the Avs would get full marks.
So far, so good. But now, let’s look at the depth pieces behind the elite guys at the top of the board. Casey Mittelstadt gets the nod as a top-line center. However, his performance fails to check off this box. Fortunately, Artturi Lekhonen and Valeri Nichushkin do check off the boxes. This situation means the Avalanche have two top-line wingers. Check.
Then, there’s the issue of a top-pairing defenseman. Devon Toews has that covered. So, the Avalanche can boast an elite defenseman with a legitimate top-pairing guy. As it stands, that looks good, too.
Overall, the Avs’ top end looks solid. The club has everything it needs to compete with other Cup contenders. However, the depth might raise some questions.