Now that the NHL season is done and over with, with the Tampa Bay Lightning repeating as Stanley Cup champions for the second year in a row, it’s time to start talking about what needs to happen for the Colorado Avalanche as they start preparing for next season. If the Avalanche wish to avoid being on the wrong side of all experts’ NHL odds lists to win the Stanley Cup or at least have a good season then some real changes need to happen.
After their disappointing finish to the season and with the expansion draft for the newcomers Seattle Kraken as well as the NHL draft both coming up sooner rather than later, what’s in store for Colorado, and what should they be focusing on in hopes of turning things around and start shooting for a brighter future?
How Badly Will The Seattle Expansion Draft Affect Colorado?
With the Seattle Kraken expansion draft being the first order of business for all NHL teams heading into the future season, some key pieces of each team, including of course the Avalanche could be moving to the northwest. Now, while all teams are allowed to compose a list of up to eleven players they can protect from Seattle taking them, that still doesn’t mean that until those lists are ready, any and every one could be up for grabs. When it comes to Colorado, two names stand out over the rest as possible picks that Seattle might crave if they do not end up finding a way into the protection list, Joonas Donskoi and Ryan Graves.
While Donskoi can come off as a risky pick for any team looking to build towards the future, if Seattle wants a player that can deliver results, results being goals, right now then they shouldn’t have to look any further. Donskoi is coming off scoring 17 goals last season for Colorado and while his poor defensive stats as well as his low shooting percentage might come off as red flags, especially more if you take into account that Donskoi is set to earn nearly eight million dollars over the next two years, is Seattle wants goals Donskoi will certainly look better and better as time narrows down.
Graves on the other hand could also become another very attractive option for Seattle when looking for defenders. Graves, who is a top four defender riding on a good yet manageable contract who could end up becoming a very valuable future asset for Seattle to use as a trading coin for picks or players down the line. While the market for defenders that could end up going to Seattle is very robust, Graves could be a silent but very valuable option that the Kraken could look into if they want a future prospect in value.
Speaking of the Draft? What Should Colorado Do in the NHL Draft?
This year’s NHL draft is certainly different from any other one before. With the COVID-19 pandemic basically bringing most sports activities down to almost zero, scouting for talent, specially from places like Canada and Europe has become a titanic struggle for teams, including of course the Avalanche. With the Buffalo Sabres holding the first overall pick of the draft this year, Colorado will be waiting with the 28th, 92nd and 220th picks respectively to try and find whoever looks best when those times come.
With those three picks, the idea of taking the players with the highest upside and immediate pro ready success rate should be a main target here. Looking for forwards should be a priority for Colorado and looking more into European and NCAA prospects rather than CHL players should pay off bigger dividends towards the future.
Finally, What Could Be Done In The Free Agency Market?
Two main issues need to be addressed once the free agency market is open. The first one being of course signing as many of their own free agents back as possible, all while still trying to maintain a healthy cap space to be able to lure in other players. Even if guys like Kadri, Compher and Jost all return, as well as Newhook, Colorado should focus on adding some veteran offensive power in their forwards group.
Guys like Andrew Cogliano, who has shined on the defensive side of the puck for the Dallas Stars since being traded from Anaheim could be a very good yet low maintenance option for adding some much needed depth to their lineup. Other players like Tyler Bozak and former Avalanche Paul Statsny all sound like very good options as well.
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