Colorado Eagles early playoff exit: Is it time for a roster overhaul?
Photo credit: ColoradoEagles.com
The Colorado Eagles had a strong season, but it ended in a familiar way, with the team once again falling short of advancing past the Pacific Division once again.
The Eagles pushed their best-of-five series with the Abbotsford Canucks to the limit, but a crushing 6-0 shutout loss at home in Game 5 was a disappointing way to end their season.
Is it time for a roster overhaul for the Colorado Eagles?
Jackie Kay from Mile High Hockey writes that the Avalanche doubled down on AHL experience last offseason, reuniting with veteran blueliners Jacob MacDonald and Calle Rosen, along with forwards TJ Tynan and Chris Wagner. Each was signed to a minor-league deal ranging from $400K to $525K, signaling a clear commitment to bolstering the Eagles with proven talent.
Scoring dried up in the playoffs for the Eagles, even among their seasoned veterans. None of the experienced skaters managed more than two points during the series against Abbotsford, with Jayson Megna leading the way by netting two goals.
"On the prospect front, forwards Ivan Ivan and Chase Bradley were the only two to participate in all nine Eagles playoff contests. Each scored a goal with Ivan adding an assist as well as Ivan's goal in the 5-3 victory in Game 2 was the game winner. Rounding out the rest of the prospect forwards, Oskar Olausson played all five games against Abbotsford and contributed three assists. Jean-Luc Foudy dressed in four games and scored the opening goal in the 3-1 Game 4 win against Abbotsford." -Kay
Jason Polin and Matt Stienburg were held off the scoresheet in all three games they played against Abbotsford, though Polin did manage to score a goal during the four-game series versus San Jose. Nikita Prishchepov saw action in just three game against San Jose, while Taylor Makar appeared in only one that series.
"Now is the time for the Eagles to regroup and decide how to shape the roster for next season. There are some key Restricted Free Agent decisions upcoming with respect to Foudy, Stienburg and Polin but also the impending departure of much of the veteran core that was so heavily relied on." -Kay
All of Tynan, Phillips, Wagner, Innala, and Rosen are set to hit free agency and will either need to be re-signed or replaced. Whether the organization shifts its approach to emphasize developing younger talent within the Avalanche system remains to be seen.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 27 ANSWERS Colorado Eagles early playoff exit: Is it time for a roster overhaul? Do you think the Colorado Avalanche have a lack of prospect talent with their AHL affiliate Eagles? | ||
| yes | 16 | 59.3 % |
| no | 11 | 40.7 % |
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