Top 3 Goalie Prospects the Colorado Avalanche should give a look at
With uncertainty looming in the net with shaky postseason goaltending from Alaxandar Georgiev, is it time to look at a younger prospect of the future? Let's take a look.
With the NHL Draft happening soon, it is time to fully dive into some last minute ideas for the Colorado Avalanche to consider. One of those ideas, is the thought of what to do with the goaltending position, and if they should use their upcoming draft to get their guy, for now or in the future.
Alexandar Georgiev has shown every possible sign that he should be the guy the Avs rely on going forward. But, it begs the question of whether or not they should supplement him with a backup that will both support and motivate him.
Here are three names that may get their name called by the Avalanche in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Landon Miller
If the Avalanche should decide to go the goaltender route with their 24th selection of the draft, Landon Miller could very well get the nod. After playing the last two seasons for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, he has proven enough to be a high-ranking goaltending prospect in the eyes of many scouts.
Miller had his first full season with the Greyhounds last season, and he showed a lot of potential with a 17-6 record in 30 games played. He saved .889 percent of the shots he faced and allowed a goals-against-average of 2.79, good enough for the third-best in the OHL.
At 6'4", he is among the taller goaltenders coming out of this year's draft. That is a good thing, as it gives him an edge to make more desperate saves with his longer body. As the sixth-best goaltender on NHL Central Ranking's North American goalie list, he may still be available at #24.
Nicolas Kempf
Another great name on his list is Nicolas Kempf, the Illionis-born goalie committed to the University of Notre Dame next season. As a part of the United States National Team Development Program over the past few seasons, he shined in the last two with the U-17 and U-18 squads.
In his first regular season of USNTDP play, he was 15-11 in 27 games in 2022-23. During the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, he was 4-0 in the tournament, helping the United States make the final before losing to Canada.
Then last season, as a part of the U-18 National Team, Kempf shined even brighter with a record of 23-7. He only allowed an average of 2.99 GAA, and stopped .897 percent of the shots he faced. In the World Junior U-18 last season, he led the US to the final once again, with a 5-1 record and allowed only 1.89 GAA. Once again, they would lose to Canada's U-18 squad.
Talk about having a chip on your shoulder and having something to prove. Kempf is a perfect fit for the Avalanche.
Carter George
Rounding out our list of potential goaltenders for the Avs to consider selecting in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, is Carter George from the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. As a part of Owen Sound, he was 23-21-6 in 56 games. He was tied for the league lead in the OHL with four shutouts.
The most interesting stat I can give you about him is that he was the goaltender who bested one of our other potential draft picks, Nicolas Kempf, in the World Juniors last season. His 6-0 performance was dominating, and it all ended with a 6-4 Canada victory over the United States.
George has a pedigree for winning, which gives him a good scouting report. That is also something that the Avs need, especially if they want to continue making deep playoff runs.
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