The Colorado Avalanche need no introduction. They've been contenders for seemingly the entire 2020s decade, and this crew could be their strongest on-ice product yet. Don't believe me? Then hear me out.
But regardless of what your thoughts are, they'll cut the St. Louis Blues work out for them with deep lineup projections at forward and at the blue line. Oh, and the Avs may've finally solved their issues at goaltender, giving them an all-around good hockey team.
Forwards
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Artturi Lehkonen | Nathan MacKinnon | Martin Necas |
Gabe Landeskog | Brock Nelson | Valeri Nichushkin |
Victor Olofsson | Jack Drury | Ross Colton |
Ivan Ivan | Parker Kelly | Joel Kiviranta |
Tye Felhaber | Logan O'Connor |
Yeah, that's a top six for the ages right there, and it could be the best in the Western Conference, let alone the Central. Sure, most of that top six is either at or on the wrong side of 30, but so far, they've been leveling up, not aging.
Two forwards I'm looking forward to seeing play the entire season are Gabe Landeskog, who made a legendary return in the postseason, and Brock Nelson, acquired from the New York Islanders.
As for the third line, Victor Olofsson's catching my eye. He enjoyed a rejuvenated campaign last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and looked like the power play specialist he was known for during his stint in Buffalo with the Sabres.
Should Olofsson return to form, he'll complete a top nine capable of scoring on you at any time, and this is all without Logan O'Connor in the lineup.
When I saw the lineup projections via Daily Faceoff, I was surprised to see Ivan Ivan's name in there. Should he put up a solid camp, maybe he finds a spot on the fourth line, but that position may be up for grabs.
And finally, Parker Kelly and Joel Kiviranta are high-energy hard-hitters, with Kiviranta showing off some of what he can do in a depth scoring role.
Defensemen/Goaltenders
Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
Devon Toews | Cale Makar |
Samuel Girard | Josh Manson |
Sam Malinski | Brent Burns |
Keaton Middleton | |
G: MacKenzie Blackwood | G: Scott Wedgewood |
When you got a first pairing like Devon Toews and Cale Makar, you also got two blueliners who can produce like forwards while still bringing elite defensive play. Then there's Samuel Girard on the second pairing, someone who's good at evading shooting lanes and helping drive sequences in the offensive zone.
He complements well with Josh Manson, a stay-at-home type who's never afraid to land body checks. Then, there's the role player in Sam Malinski, who'll be fortunate to share the third line with the ageless Brent Burns.
Burns could be the msising piece for this Colorado blue line, and while he's not as physical as he once was, he can still slide into the lineup and play top-four minutes if injuries strike. With his experience and versatility, the Avs have even more depth at the blue line this season.
Now, for the burning question: Will the goaltending finally hold? Well, I have way more faith in MacKenzie Blackwood than I would've had in Alexandar Georgiev. Plus, Scott Wedgewood's a capable No. 2 who won't hold the team back when he's in the net.
What does all of this mean for the St. Louis Blues?
It's gonna be a tough ride for the Blues every time they face the Avs. It's a deep hockey team, and the Blues can't take shifts off, regardless of who's on the ice.
Sure, some lines are better than others, but if the projected third line is in the game, the Avs will make teams pay time and again if they're caught sleeping. The Blues can't afford that mistake, even with more talent and experience in the fold this season.