By Mike Rifkin
The Colorado Avalanche are a very good hockey team, and that’s stating the obvious. President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and General Manager Chris Macfarland have done an outstanding job putting together an excellent nucleus led by Nathan Mackinnon (who should win the Hart Trophy). The Avs steamrolled the Winnipeg Jets in five games in the first round of the playoffs, before losing to the Dallas Stars in six games. One thing that really hurt the Avs was the announcement of Forward Valeri Nichuskin being suspended for six months and is in Stage three of the Player’s Assistance Program of the NHL and NHLPA. After the six months is up Nichuskin can apply for reinstatement. Nichuskin had nine goals and 10 points in eight playoff games, prior to the announcement before game four against the Stars. We all hope Nichuskin gets the help he needs and is back playing hockey, but that was a major loss for the Avs during the playoffs. Nichuskin’s money is off the books for as long as he is away from the team, but after that we don’t know what will happen.
Nichuskin’s suspension hurt the Avs, but the biggest loss was not having Captain Gabriel Landeskog for the season after knee surgery. Landeskog, alongside Macfarland did announce he was not retiring, but is hoping to return to the team at some point next season. Landeskog, the second overall pick in 2011 is top ten in Avs history in goals, points, power play goals and game winning goals.
With Landeskog out, his linemates Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen both had phenomenal seasons. Mackinnon, who is my pick for the Hart Trophy posted a career high 51 goals (first time hitting 50 goal mark) and 140 points. While Rantanen had 42 goals (fourth consecutive 30+ goal season) and 104 points. With Landeskog out, the Avs needed someone to step up. Enter Mackinnon’s former Junior teammate from Halifax Jonathan Drouin, who had a career high 19 goals and 56 points.
The Avs have one of the best group of defensemen in the NHL. Led by Cale Makar, who had 90 points on the season. Devon Toews, Sam Girard and Josh Manson round out a really good top four. The Avs acquired Sean Walker from Philly at the trade deadline, Walker and Drouin both are unrestricted free agents, so it’ll be interesting to see if the can Avs retain either?
In goal Alexandar Geogiev was 38-18-5 with a 3.02 GAA and .897 save percentage during the regular season. In the playoffs Georgiev posted a 2.85 GAA and like the regular season a .897 save percentage.
The Avalanche will have around nine million dollars in cap space, so they might have some deals to make. One guy they won’t have to make a decision on is Zach Parise, who has decided to retire.
KEY FREE AGENTS (WITH REG SEASON STATS)
Restricted : Casey Mittelstadt – 18 goals/57 points ( 4 goals 10 pts in 18 games with AVS)
UNRESTRICTED :
Sean Walker : 10 goals/29 points ( 4 goals/7 points in 18 games with AVS)
Jonathan Drouin : 19 goals/56 points
Yakov Trenin : 12 goals/17 points (2 goals 3 points with AVS)
Brandon Duhaime : 5 goals/13 points (1 goal/ 5 points with AVS)
Jack Johnson : 3 goals/16 points
Andrew Cogliano : 6 goals/19 points
As I mentioned above I don’t know what happens with Nichuskin’s money and with Landeskog determined to come back at some point next season, you have to wonder how Sakic and Macfarland will operate. The Avs have 9.8 million dollars in cap space, and can get more if Landeskog starts the season on LTIR.
STAYING : MITTELSTADT, DROUIN, JOHNSON
LEAVING : WALKER, TRENIN, DUHAIME, COGLIANO
ACQUIRING ( NOT PUTTING TERM OR MONEY ON DEAL) : Teddy Blueger, Alec Martinez, Brendon Dillon, or Derek Forbort. Remember the Avs money situation will depend on the Landeskog situation.
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