Dynamic duos: How the Colorado Avalanche are building their forward core this season

Skill, power, speed, and tenacity are all central features of the identity of the Colorado Avalanche, especially their forwards. Each center and each winger contributes to his line’s role on the ice. This is achieved by creating line duos that establish the foundational identity of that line, while having auxiliary wingers that can modify the needs of that line at any time.

Top line: MacKinnon and Necas

This duo is where the magic is going to happen this season. Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas have just scratched the surface of the playmaking that they are going to be able to create together this season. They both think and play the game at such a high speed that it is difficult for defenses to anticipate and keep up with them. The beauty of having Necas on MacKinnon’s wing is that he demands so much attention that MacKinnon can attack the open areas of the ice. And when MacKinnon has the puck, Necas can put himself in position near the net for MacKinnon to find him for quick shots. It’s a lethal combination that needs to stay together for the entirety of the season.

Second line: Nelson and Nichushkin

The two towering forwards both come in at 6’3” and have a knack for controlling play, even if the production is still eluding them. With their size and reach, they are adept at keeping the other team contained. Brock Nelson patrols the center of the ice while Valeri Nichushkin works along the boards to gain and/or maintain puck possession. So far this season, they need to be more intentional about getting pucks on net, but the foundational process is solid, and they have plenty of time to build on it and create a heavy scoring line that is difficult to play against.

Third line: Drury and Colton

One of the questions heading into this season has been whether Jack Drury can play up to the level that Colorado needs its third-line center to play. The early returns look good, especially because of how well Ross Colton has complemented him on that line. Not having to play center means that Colton can focus on board battles and on driving the net for scoring chances. This line is also expected to do a lot of the heavy lifting defensively and their complementary lunch pail mentality allows them to eat those minutes for the Avalanche.

Filling out the rest of the forward core

Through the first few games of the season, the top three lines have had their second winger positions filled out by Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Victor Olofsson, respectively. This arrangement has been successful and is expected to stick for the foreseeable future, but if Jared Bednar and the coaching staff need a new approach, there are options. If more pop is needed offensively on the second line, Olofsson could see time up there. If the third line needs to be even more defensively sound, then Lehkonen could put in some minutes alongside Drury and Colton. And who would not love to see Landeskog reunited with MacKinnon as the net-front disruptor?

As far as the fourth line goes, there are plenty of options there as well. The season started off with Parker Kelly at center with Gavin Brindley and Joel Kiviranta at wing. Kelly ideally should be on the wing, which would require slotting in Zakhar Bardakov at center and sitting one of Brindley (offense) or Kiviranta (defense). Either of them could get time on the third line as well. And then there is the question of what to do once Logan O’Connor returns from his rehab. It is a nice problem to have, especially compared to the line-up struggles from last season.

The key when it comes to making these line decisions for the Avs is to establish a solid foundation with the main duo on each of the top three lines and then build around them. In doing so, each line will have its own chemistry and identity as well as the flexibility to grow and adapt as the season moves along. If they can achieve that balance, they will be once of the best and most dangerous forward cores in the league from top to bottom.