The truth revealed about the Colorado Avalanche defensive core, who was elite and who was exposed this season?

The Avalanche blew a two goal lead in the third period of Game 7 in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which led to their early playoff exit against the Dallas Stars.

According to a recent report, Sam Girard continued to be a reliable puck-mover for the Avalanche this season, maintaining the consistency he's shown year after year. He also played a key role on the penalty kill, where he excelled. While he still has the occasional rough moment, there's a reason he deployed in a more sheltered role rather than on the top defensive pairing.

While Erik Johnson's overall point production may not have been impactful, his return to Colorado this season gave the fanbase a notable emotional boost. Considering where he is in his career, the limited games he played weren't bad by any means. Not all contributions show up on the stat sheet, and Johnson exemplifies that perfectly.

There's no question Lindgren struggled with the New York Rangers, largely due to being miscast on the top pairing with Adam Fox. In Colorado, he was slotted into a more fitting role and, overall, delivered a solid performance.

What more can you say about Cale Makar? He continues to play at a level few can match. Season after season, he reinforces his status as of the NHL's elite, arguably the best defenseman in the game, and this year was no exception.

Sam Malinski's second NHL season was, by most measures, a strong one. He's established himself as a dependable, minute-munching blueliner who brings both stability on defence and a touch of offensive upside. His consistent, well-rounded play was exactly what the Avalanche needed from him this season.

Josh Manon's season stood out for different reasons than some of his fellow defensemen, largely due to injuries that kept him out for a significant stretch. When he was on the ice, he showed flashes of strong play, but the inconsistency was noticeable, his highs were solid, but the lows felt particularly rough at times.

There wasn't much to highlight offensively from Keaton Middleton's season, who finished with just two assists. But that's not where his value lies. He's counted on for his dependable defensive play, and in the regard, he delivered exactly what was expected of him throughout the year.

And finally, there's Devon Toews, who had a very strong season. He's been an ideal defensive partner for Makar and consistently delivers year after year. Dependable and capable of logging heavy minutes, Toews continues to be a key presence on the blue line for the Avalanche.

Source:
Mile High Hockey
2024-2025 Colorado Avalanche Grades: Defenseman