Concerning report raises serious questions concerning the Avalanche's future
Photo credit: Dave Sandford / NHL
A troubling new report has surfaced, raising serious concerns about the Colorado Avalanche's future prospect pool and casting doubt on whether the team has the developmental depth to sustain long-term success.
The Avalanche may be thriving in the present, but their outlook for the future is far less certain.
Avalanche face alarming future as prospect pool runs thin.
Jon Alfano from Breakaway On Si writes that the Avalanche remain one of the NHL's premier teams, led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Their 2022 Stanley Cup championship and consistent presence in the contender mix for over half a decade prove just how dominant they've been.
As part of its annual pool rankings, Corey Pronman of The Athletic placed by the Colorado Avalanche dead last, and not by a small margin. While there are few intriguing young players in the system, overall the cupboard looks worryingly bare.
"Years of going all in have caught up to Colorado. The Avalanche have the clear 32nd-ranked system in the NHL. Gavin Brindley and Mikhail Gulyayev are quality prospects, but it's extremely thin after them." -Pronman
When the Avalanche acquired Gavin Brindley from the Columbus Blue Jackets in June, along with second and third-round draft picks, the 20-year-old forward from Estero, Florida immediately vaulted to the top of Colorado's prospect rankings.
"Brindley was just OK as a rookie pro, but he was also a very young player at the AHL level. He's a highly likable player with a great track record. With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort. He's able to make highly skilled plays at full speed and plays with courage, going to the net and engaging along the walls." -Pronman
On the other hand, Gulyayev was selected 31st overall by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Draft. While he projects as a potent offensive blueliner, he's likely still a few years away from making his NHL debut.
"Gulyayev was a regular defenseman for Ak Bars, although his game didn't show a ton of progression from the prior season. He still recorded seven goals and 15 points with next to no power-play time. He's a very good skater who can transition pucks up ice like a pro. He has excellent hands and vision, showing the ability to create chances off the rush and from the blue line.
With his touch and shot, he can run a power play and projects to have significant offense as a pro, but his 5-foot-10 frame is a question for the NHL. He's not highly physical, and he will need to be high-end with the puck to carve out a regular NHL role as he will likely be a below-average defender. I think he projects right on the bubble of that." -Pronman
With his touch and shot, he can run a power play and projects to have significant offense as a pro, but his 5-foot-10 frame is a question for the NHL. He's not highly physical, and he will need to be high-end with the puck to carve out a regular NHL role as he will likely be a below-average defender. I think he projects right on the bubble of that." -Pronman
Beyond Brindley and Gulyayev, the Avalanche have just three prospects with NHL potential, defenseman Sean Behrens, forward Max Curran, and goalie Ilya Nabokov.
The future outlook is far from promising, to say the least.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 25 | 31 ANSWERS Concerning report raises serious questions concerning the Avalanche's future Do you think the Avalanche have the worst prospect pool in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 12 | 38.7 % |
| no | 19 | 61.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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