Yeah, you can argue that things were rough early for the Colorado Avalanche, considering that they had an outstanding group of skaters and probably the most overrated goaltending duo in hockey. Well, when players are overrated, they like to underperform and, if things get dire, are moved elsewhere.
That was the case with Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev, but for the three players listed today, that’s not the case. Or, let me drop a hint: The two players listed and a group of players at a specific position. Yeah, you might know where I’m going with this one.
Anyway, let’s talk about one single blueliner and forward before I officially unveil that mystery group.
Sam Malinski
Oh yes, Sam Malinski has been playing some outstanding hockey lately, but you won’t know it if you only looked at the stat sheet. He’s got just one goal and four points on the season. And for a blueliner with third-pairing minutes, Malinski isn’t your most physical player on the ice unless it involves blocking a shot.
Still, he’s eighth on the Avs in Corsi For at even strength among players who have played in at least 21 games. Malinski also has an on-ice save percentage of 91.1, which is second on the Avs.
Yeah, that’s an amazing feat, considering how bad this team’s goaltending unit has been throughout 2024-25. Or, I should say, until the Avs did the right thing and gave up on both of their original netminders and brought in players like MacKenzie Blackwood.
Joel Kiviranta
Oh, speaking of on-ice save percentage at even strength, if you wanted to know who the No. 1 player was on that list, it’s Joel Kiviranta. That number was at 93.4 through 33 contests. And ironically enough, he and Malinski have the same Corsi For.
Kiviranta’s through rate of 54.4 is also fourth on the team among players with at least 21 contests, and his five goals have him clocking in a respectable 13.5 shooting percentage. This is telling, considering Kiviranta’s lowly 6.8 on-ice shooting percentage at even strength.
Overall, the physical forward isn’t getting much ice time, but the Avs have looked good defensively when he has. And he’s even had a fair showing so far when his team is controlling the puck.
Goaltenders not named Justus Annunen or Alexandar Georgiev
So far in what is still a young season, the Avs have used six goaltenders. And we don’t need to say much to remember how bad things were with Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev manning the net.
Those two deserve to be playing elsewhere, while the Avs roll with the patchwork unit in MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. So far, both goaltenders, despite a limited sample size, have been resounding successes.
But one can’t help but wonder: Would organizational depth, at this point, fare better than Annunen and Georgiev? Honestly, I wouldn’t be so brash as to say no.