The Colorado Avalanche are in the midst of a low-key offseason. But that doesn't mean the team isn't making consequential moves. The front office has seen the addition of some familiar faces in recent days. But it's the flurry of additions at goalie that have left some fans scratching their heads.
The Avalanche began the 2024 Draft by taking the first netminder off the board. Colorado selected Ilya Nabokov with the 38th overall pick. The young goalie is fresh off a KHL Championship and earning playoff MVP honors. It is clear that the Avalanche believe they made a strong choice when they nabbed the Russian keeper.
However, the subsequent picks of Louka Cloutier and Ivan Yunin were almost immediately called into question. It might be easy to label this as a scatter-shot strategy in the draft. But it could also indicate that the team is looking to unlock something specific deeper down in their developmental system.
As I posted last week, it could be the ultimate test for new Goalie Scout, Pavel Fancouz. The organization has certainly given a kick-start to his new career in player evaluation. Exactly who are these young prospects?
To begin, we have Ilya Nabokov. On the way to a Gagarin Cup (KHL Championship), Nabokov posted an impressive four playoff shutouts. Together with a .942 SV% it isn't difficult to see why Ilya led Metallurg Magnitogorsk to glory in his native Russia. Nabokov also secured the KHL's Best Rookie Award.
Nobokov is easily the most accomplished young goalie the Avalanche added to their system. But an NHL future is far from guaranteed. If Colorado wants to foster an environment that accelerates growth, competition from within may be key.
Louka Cloutier and Ivan Yunin, by comparison, are raw talents. At 17 and 18 years-old respectively, this is understandable. They both have far less game experience. Still, each of them also boasts a SV% over .900. Avalanche fans who watched stat lines closely last year might know this is an important threshold.
While it is true that lower-level hockey may not be entirely predictive, it is encouraging to see. The USHL for instance, where Cloutier played with the Chicago Steel, is getting better all the time. In 2024, 49 USHL players had their names called. The Avalanche were maybe the biggest believers, selecting five players in total.
Cloutier is also now committed to UNO (University of Nebraska-Omaha) for 2025-26. I do believe that he has remaining eligibility with the Steel for 2024-25. This is pretty exciting for me, as an Avs fan from Nebraska. It means I might have more than a few opportunities to watch Cloutier up close.
Ivan Yunin may be tougher to watch from afar. Still, Colorado seems more than comfortable with Russian prospects. The MHL, where Yunin is currently, is Russia's top Junior League. So, if things go well, he could find himself in aforementioned KHL. The wait may be longer, but the KHL is a worthy proving-ground.
Adding to the mix even further is Colorado's latest trade acquisition.
We have acquired the rights to Kevin Mandolese and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/BOBGIDT0xC
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 15, 2024
On Monday, the Avalanche bolstered their depth in net, by trading with Ottawa for Kevin Mandolese. Mandolese has a 1-2 record in limited NHL action. Even so, there is value in that type of profile. Mandolese will most likely be an AHL goalie with the Colorado Eagles and only see NHL ice in an emergency. Emergencies do happen however, as last season's playoff-shuffle taught Avs fans.
After a rough Game 1 against Winnipeg for Avalanche starter Alexandar Georgiev, and backup Justus Annunen being out with an illness, Eagles reserve Arvid Holm briefly found himself on a post-season roster. Stuff like that happens rarely to be sure, but it is better to be prepared for any eventuality.
I find it noteworthy that the Avalanche seem to be zeroed in on the Ottawa Senators at the moment. Mandolese is the third former Senator the Avalanche have added this offseason. They have also signed Parker Kelly and Erik Brannstrom in free agency. When a successful organization picks the bones of one that typically struggles, it could be significant.
With all the movement at the bottom of the goalie depth-chart, it makes sense to ask what's going on at the top? Surprisingly, the picture for this coming season seems clear. Alexandar Georgiev is still Colorado's starter. But Justus Annunen is expected to play a fair amount in 2024-25.
Annunen gained momentum late last season. Juice impressed the Avalanche enough to earn a contract extension in March. It would seem fair to assume that the team views Justus Annunen as a potential top guy, at least in the short-term.
This is even more crucial given the fact that Georgiev is only signed through next year. When Georgie becomes an RFA after next season, anything could happen. The Avalanche have shown in recent history that they are not sentimental about goalies.
They were plenty comfortable moving on from Darcy Kuemper, even after a Stanley Cup in 2022. As of now, it would seem likely in fact that Georgiev goes elsewhere after this season. If the Avalanche play well, as they expect to, he would likely price himself out of their budget.
Colorado knows that they are building for a fast-approaching future in net. With Justus Annunen being the best example of internal-development for the franchise right now, his success could mean even more for the team's growing confidence in molding prospects.
The prospect pool seems a little crowded this summer, but the real heat is still to come.