X-Factor for the 2016-2017 Season

The Avalanche have drafted well when they have had draft pick at 10 or higher the past few years. They have picked up a lot of the more top end skill and talent when we selected players like Matt Duchene third overall in the 2009 entry draft, Gabriel Landeskog second overall in the 2011 entry draft, Nathan MacKinnon first overall in the 2013 entry draft, Mikko Rantanen with the tenth overall selection in the 2015 entry draft and this past weekend Tyson Jost who they took again at tenth overall in the 2016 entry draft.

Photo Credit: thehockeypress.ca

They have also done well in finding some potential steals in later rounds in the form of Tyson Barrie selected with their third round pick in the 2009 entry draft and  Ryan O'Rielly. (who is no longer with the team due to a blockbuster trade last summer that brought the Avalanche Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and draft selections.)

The team as a whole has a very solid mix of veteran leadership from players like Francois Beauchemin, future hall of famer Jarome Iginla, Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau to name a few.

They have a defense corp built around Erick Johnson (oh look another 1st overall selection) Up and coming top players in Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras As well as the fore-mentioned Tyson Barrie and Francois Beauchemin.

So all that being said then the problem for the team is obvious then, they don't have a top goalie right? You can't contend for the Stanly Cup Championship seriously without a top goalie in the league everyone knows that..

Photo Credit: avalanche.nhl.com

Oh yeah, Semyon Varlamov the starting goalie for the Colorado Avalanche was a finalists for the Vezina trophy just two short years ago. (the Vezina trophy is awarded to the leagues best goalie over the course of the given year.)

So what is it, what exactly is this team missing? On paper you would have to say nothing, this team has everything that you would expect to be able to bring home a championship. We have a small problem here..

Not only has this team been unable to bring home a championship in the last couple of seasons but they have even failed to qualify for post season play at all..  Something doesn't quiet add up here..


Personally here are my thoughts. Many fans would say that its simple, they need better defenscemen. The interesting thing to me though is when I push a bit more and ask those same fans why we need a "better" defensceman they generally stumble to come up with an actual answer.

The issue here is not the lack of skill talent or work on the back end my friends. The issue we are having is much deeper then just a simple oh we don't have that "Sexy" named "top" defenscemen on the team.

What the Avalanche need to do is to hold onto the puck for longer stretches of time during the game.

Sounds like I am making their woes far to painfully simple? well that is because I am..

The Avalanche the last couple of years have given up a staggering number of shots on goal forcing Semyon Varlamov to make over 30 saves most games just to give them a chance to win. A lot of those games he actually has to make upwards of 40 plus saves to keep the score close enough for them to win. Again we get back to the issue at hand being the defense right? better defenscemen less shots on goal right? Wrong!

I honestly believe that the core that we have today if we were to start the 2016-2017 season now would be every bit as talented and skilled enough to get the job done.  The area that this deficiency is killing us is in the possession game of the forwards.

This team is one or two more wingers who are able to keep possession and control the play away from being a consistent playoff team and threat at the cup once they get in.

Photo Credit: thecanuckway.com

Last season the Avalanche brought in two forwards near the trade deadline who were both the top Corsi (advanced hockey stats) ratings from their respective teams in Shawn Mathias and Mikkel Boedker.

The Corsi numbers show us how good a player is as keeping possession of the puck for his team when they are actually on the ice. While those were two key moves, and in my honest opinion vital to work out a way to keep for next season they still are lacking one winger to really pull the whole group together. Enter Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen set the rookie scoring record for an American Hockey League(AHL) rookie last season with 60 points in 54 games played. During last season he also helped his home country of Finland to take home the gold as well scoring 4 points in 8 games during the tournament. He showed great leadership scoring the majority of his points for the tournament in the elimination games.

He was also the captain throughout the tournament. He brings excellent size with his 6" 3' frame. If he can come in and do what he did for the San Anotnio Rampage last year then he will have the potential to be the X factor for the Avalanche this year. His physical style of play leads to much more puck possession and he will be giving it his all this season for us.

Joe Sakic is all ready on record to say that this year Mikko would be with the NHL club all season long.

Here is the video of his draft last summer.




The other player that I think has a shot to be a real x factor for this team is Duncan Siemens. The Avalanche recently traded Nick Holden away witch will give more ice time for a guy like Siemens to finally get his shot with the big club.

When I said earlier that I believed in the defense core that the Avalanche have today I was including him in my thoughts. I fully expect him to have a big camp and yes finally play in a pre season game to show that he is ready to step up and take his game to the next level.

When he was drafted there were comparisons to Hall of Famer Scott Stevens. Here is a video from his draft year.




Who do you think will be the X-Factor for this seasons Colorado Avalanche team? #GoAvs!

The Avalanche add to the blue line - Josh Anderson

With their third round pick in the NHL draft the Avalanche selected blue liner Josh Anderson. After the first two rounds of the draft came and went with the team failing to address what most fans, from the casual to the hard core, felt was their biggest weakens many were making very vocal out crys for some help on the back end. Well your crys have been heard Avalanche Nation, let me introduce to you Josh Anderson!

Photo Credit: www.eliteprospects.com

Lets take a look at who they were able to pick up here..

Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 210
Position: D
Birthplace: Duncan, British Columbia

Anderson is a big physical defensive defenseman who has some skating ability. He is a very physical player and has shown glimpses of potentially having the ability to put up some respectable offensive numbers at the next level. He played the last couple years with the the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. He was drafted third overall in the WHL draft by the team. The biggest area of concern with Anderson is his ability to stay healthy. In the last two years he has only managed to play a total of 82 games with the Prince George Cougars. He also brings a physical presence to the back end and is a willing dance partner should he find someone who is ready to go. Here is one of his fights from this year(2016) for you to enjoy.




Here is what one NHL scout is saying about Anderson:

"Anderson is a heavy-hitting defensive defenseman with above average mobility who loves to mix it up and provide reliable play inside his own end. He’s an excellent crease-clearer who ensures any forward gets a wood massage to the back if daring enough to venture his way. Anderson’s upper body strength is significant — he is strong enough to tie up his man (and often someone elses) long enough to allow his goalie to react or clear a loose puck in the goal mouth. He hasn’t completely recovered from the back injury but was invited to participate in the interviews at the pre-draft combine. In terms of offense, don’t expect much of anything from Anderson, as he owns an average shot and in quintessential stay-at-home type fashion, only uses it when the puck finds him rather than the other way around. All things considered, he still has NHL potential thanks to his footwork and size."


Here is a nice interview with the young Defenseman that was shot about seven months ago.

Personally I am predicting that he will go back to his WHL team for another season before joining the avalanche's AHL team the San Antonio Rampage. I would put a two year time frame on his development before we are seeing him in an Avalanche sweater. That being said there have been many players in recent years in the NHL who have come into camp and been a big time surprise and worked hard enough to make the team out of camp. If there is a player that the Avalanche drafted this year who could be a dark horse player to surprise in camp and battle his way into the opening night roster it would be Anderson. The need on the back end and the physical presence that he brings to a team are things that the current Avalanche are in dire need of. I don't expect it to happen, but i also wouldn't bee too shocked if it did. I am looking at Anderson as being a really solid d partner for Tyson Barrie a year or two down the road.

Who is Cameron Morrison?

With pick number 40 in the NHL entry draft your Colorado Avalanche selected Cameron Morrison, he plays left wing and is heading to Notre Dame this coming year to play hockey for the collage.

Photo Credit: www.hockeysfuture.com

Height: 6 ' 2"
Weight: 203 lbs
Position: LW/C
Shoots: Left

Birthplace: East Yorke, On, Canada

Here is his scouting report by Elite Prospects:

"A big, strong all-around player that thinks the game at a high level and executes plays with purpose and drive. Accelerates well and has no issues getting around the ice with haste; transition game will need some tweaks. Very good vision and puck skills, and has the size to make a difference  driving to the net and causing havoc for the opposition's defense. Defensively sound, using his size to his advantage along the boards and getting his stick in place to deflect passes out of harm's way. Moving forward, will have every opportunity to develop into a smart power forward that can play in all situations and make it difficult on the opposition."

Photo Credit: www.zimbio.com

In 60 games that he played in for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL he scored 34 goals and 32 assists for 66 points. While doing so he was a +38 and took 42 PIMS (Penalty in Minuets).

here is another scouts take on his game leading up to the draft:

"Morrison is an offensive-minded center who possesses solid size and skill. He lives to go to the area around the net front and often gets to the top of the crease anticipating pucks headed his direction. He shows that he has quick hands in tight, finding pucks quickly and getting them on the net. Morrison has a good motor and drive to his game, using his powerful skating stride to keep up with the play. He gets the play moving in the right direction and has the skilled hands to carry the puck through the offensive zone and find a good passing lane."

As the second player in as many selections this is another player that as fans we will have to wait an extra year to see suit up for the Avalanche. I am getting pretty excited with the direction that the team is taking. The more you look at these players the team is selecting the more you can start to get a real feel for the vision for the franchise going forward and just what that includes. Coach Patrick Roy is looking for the big strong physical talent but he is also looking for a few smaller skilled players to help balance and round that group out. I think that Morrison is someone who like Jost who was selected before him will have a great year in the collage ranks and will be eager and ready to show us all what he can do for the burgundy and blue. I will leave you with some highlights of his play over the last year for your viewing pleasure, until next time.. #GoAvs!

Tyson Jost Player Profile

The Colorado Avalanche picked Forward Tyson Jost with their 10th overall selection tonight in the draft. Lets take a look at who they are getting with that pick.

Height:: 6'0
Weight: 190
Posittion: C/LW
Age: 18

Lets start with EliteProspects.com's scouting report on his skills

"Tyson Jost is a crafty goal-scorer who carries out plays as quickly as he envisions them. As someone who thinks and plays at a fast tempo, it comes as no surprise that he creates a lot of energy as an offensive catalyst. He sees the ice very well and has the willingness and determination to win battles in the tough areas. All-in-all, a dynamic offensive forward with top-6 potential at the next level. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)"


Next lets take a look at some highlights from the last season where he played in 48 games scoring 42 goals and assisting on 62 more for an astounding 104 point season in 42 games played for the Penticon Vees of the BCHL where he spent last year as the team Captain.




NHL Player Comparisons:

The player comparisons from NHL scouts about jost are a bit all over the board, some places are saying that he has the potential of a Jeff Carter at the next level while some scouts seem to be going out on a limb a bit and saying that he is closer of a comparison to Jonathan Toews, Joe Sakic or Peter Foresberg.

While those names are quiet something to try to live up to Jost himself has stated that he has tried to shape his game to be similar to Jonathan Toews. Personally the more I look into this kids numbers and the plays that he is able to make and see at full speed the more I am convinced that this was the right pick for the Avalanche.

Whats next for Jost?

Jost is committed to play collage hockey next year for the University of Northern Dekota in the 2016/2017 season. This will be a great place for Jost to learn and continue to develop his hockey skills at the next level. It will be a fun time to watch how he does there. Personally I am predicting him to become a finalist for the Collage hockeys Hobby Baker Award by the end of next season. 

Here are Jost's Final player rankings:

Image Credit to www.habseyesontheprize.com

ISS Hockey: 9th
Craig Button: 13th
The Draft Analyst: 13th
Future Considerations: 13th
Bob McKenzie: 11th
Hockeyprospect.com: 10th
Draft Buzz: 7th
McKeen’s Hockey: 15th
NHL Central Scouting: 16th (NA Skaters)

Tyson is a player that if you haven't watched him or met him you might think was the wrong pick for the Colorado Avalanche at 10.  Joe Sakic was thrilled to have him still no the board when they made their pick. Here is a quote from the interview with Sakic moments after the pick was made. 

 "He's just a great hockey player, He does everything well. He skates, he has great vision, he plays a great 200-foot game. We're very excited hes on board and we were able to get him." 

Photo Credit to milehighsticking.com

When the MSNBC interviewer asked Sakic about the leadership that Jost has displayed this is what sakic had to say about that. "His entire young career, he's all ways been a leader. You cannot have enough character guys... This is a leader on the ice. He does everything you ask for from a hockey player."

While we will not get a chance to see him suit up for the Avalanche until at least the 2017/2018 season (unless the avalanche decide to try to talk him out of playing collage hockey and going pro right away) There are a lot of fun and exciting things to look forward to seeing from him in the near future with the Avalanche. I personally can not wait to see him flying up the ice with Nathan MacKinnon on his off wing terrorizing the opposing defenders. 

With the 10th Selection in the NHL Entry Draft the Colorado Avalanche Select...

The Colorado Avalanche sit in a prime possition to land an impact player in the draft tonight. Depending on who you talk to any number of players could be on the board at 10 tonight. Lets take a quick look at a few of the possible players that could still be on the board when the Avalanche make their selection. Joe Sakic recently told the media that their top 10 list was very forward heavy this year. While he acknowledged that there are a few really good blue liners as well on their list. Here are a few players that I could see potentially being on the board when they make their pick at 10.

Alexander Nylander

Clayton Keller

Logan Brown

Jakob Chychrun

Mikhail Sergachyov

here is a quote from Alan Happle  - 

“We always seem to get some surprises in the top 10 — just like we did last year that allowed us to get Rantanen — and I don’t see anything different this year that’s going to stop us to get a good player at 10,”

for a full in depth look at each of the prospects and where SI feels they will be going please take a look at their well done mock drafts at

http://www.si.com/nhl/2016/06/23/2016-nhl-mock-draft-first-round-auston-matthews

While Sergachynov or Chychrun would be big peices for the avalanches blue line in the years to come i am predicting that they go with Keller Nylander or Brown.  The Colorado Avalanche seem to be one forward short of having their whole forward core together for the long term. While there are needs on the back end you don't exactly fix that by drafting a player. That is something that will need to be addressed on July 1st when the free agency period opens. Look for the Avalanche to take a good look at Luke Schenn, Jason Demers or Kris Russle. Any of those players would make a great partner for Tyson Barrie. They could play a great shut down role and allow Barrie to play as offensively as he wants. Possessing elite offensive potential and numbers through his first three years of play Tyson Barrie is a player who you can expect to have a break out season this year if they finally find a partner for him to play with who is of a top four quality. To this point he has played with mostly bottom pairing players. With no disrespect to Nate Guenin, Zach Redmond or Nick Holden Barries play and statistics will be greatly improved when he is paired with a better suited partner.

What do you hope to see tonight? Trade rumors abound rampant this year with the coming expansion draft next off season. I am predicting many more moves in this years draft then in years prior as teams attempt to place themselves in the best position to survive the expansion draft next year.