Before Mikko Rantanen had even suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, there was quite a lot of hype surrounding the number 10 overall selection in last year’s draft.  How could Colorado Avalanche fans not be excited about a 6-foot-3 playmaking winger who had led Finland at the World Juniors with four goals?  The prospect of […]

With the Colorado Avalanche out of the playoffs for the second consecutive year, it’s always nice to take a look at the prospects coming through the pipeline. In the Avalanche’s case, it’s a tad bittersweet: while the top five stack up well in comparison to the rest of the league, things get murky beyond that. […]

In today’s NHL, you don’t win the cup without at least three or four things: A true number one center, preferably someone who’s up for the Selke, a number one defenseman, and either world beating goaltending or a penalty kill that’s tops in at least the playoffs.  Of course depth at every position is usually […]

One of the bigger pieces in the Ryan O’Reilly trade, J.T. Compher is currently serving as captain in his junior season at Michigan.  A product of the USA National Team development program, he was selected four times for the United States junior teams (2 U-17, 1 U-18, and one World Juniors). While not having a […]

Let’s get this out of the way: Mikko Rantanen is, undoubtedly, the Avalanche’s number one prospect and he’ll be getting his own piece.  But I wanted to start with Chris Bigras because he’s had a bit more seasoning in the NHL than Rantanen, and because he plays a position of weakness for the Avalanche: defense. […]

If the Avalanche Miss the Playoffs, It’s Time to Find A New Coach The Central Division is typically considered one of, if not the toughest division in the NHL.  From start to finish, it’s a seven-team dogfight to get into the playoffs, boasting an all around juggernaut in the Chicago Blackhawks, offensive juggernaut Dallas Stars, […]