Mile High Hockey: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook

"Strengths: Colorado improved a lot via the 2009 draft, landing two young prospects who started the season in the NHL in Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Ryan Stoa, Chris Stewart, and T.J. Galiardi highlight a group of skilled forwards with size. Defensive depth continues to stockpile as the Avalanche have added Tyson Barrie and Stefan Elliott to a group including Kevin Shattenkirk and Colby Cohen. Weaknesses: There is not much forward depth beyond the top group. Colorado could really use some help in the immediate future, but many players at the top of the depth charts have yet to even turn pro. Trevor Cann is getting a shot at the professional ranks, but the Avalanche have yet to see a payoff after trying to shore up goaltending depth with several early-round draft picks. Top five prospects: 1. Matt Duchene, C, 2. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, 3. Chris Stewart, RW, 4. Ryan Stoa, C, 5. Ryan O'Reilly, C. "

Ok I know we may not have the best prospects in the NHL, but people have to give credit where credit is due and 17th seems awfully low. I mean O'Reilly leads the NHL in +/-, and even the LEM are starting to play well better. Take at Stefan Elliot's performance so far in the WHL he looks like an absolute stud. I am not saying we are the best, but we have to be better than 17th.

9 months ago Samavs_tiny SportsDalaiLama 2 comments 0 recs  | 

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

You have to keep in mind they started putting this list together more then a month ago.

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Oct 26, 2009 5:26 PM MDT reply actions  

Even counting the early success

of O’Reilly and Duchene, you have to look at the depth among the prospect pool. I think they nailed it that beyond the top group of forwards of Galiardi, Stoa, Stewart and the two studs, there really isn’t a whole lot.

This isn’t an analysis of “Who has the best top-end talent?”. It’s an analysis of organizational depth, top to bottom.

I agree with the ranking for the most part because while we have a LOT of really intriguing defensive pieces, after the top 10 prospects, I don’t see a whole lot of prospects that jump off the page. Going by HF’s own rankings, KYLE CUMISKEY is number 11. If we assume that we see with Cumiskey is just a touch under where he’s going to max out, then you have 9 prospects below him that don’t measure up to 3rd pairing defenseman.

Also, if looking at the rankings, you’ll see 5 guys in the top 11 that could very well graduate from prospect status this season and won’t be on the lists anymore. Take them away, add in another wave of draft picks, one of whom likely won’t have the top-end potential of a Duchene and suddenly the system looks a little weak, especially at the forward position. Also, looking at some of the systems ranked ahead of us, I think a lot of them could easily be switched around without much difference. We had to go SOMEWHERE and I don’t think 17 is unreasonable at all.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Oct 27, 2009 1:43 AM MDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

For original fans of the Quebec Nordiques, transplanted fans of the Colorado Rockies, day one fans of the Avalanche and bandwagon fans just looking for a place to root.
Start posting about the Avalanche »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Denver_spurs_small
Drunk Posting Guidelines

Recent FanPosts

Bladesofsteel_small
What a great deal!
Photo_9_small
Are the Avs gearing up for something big?
Photo_9_small
NHL10 Updated Ratings/Roster
Small
Are the Avs being too conservative with money?
001926_small
The Official Dr. Jones Newsletter
Img_0213_small
Stewart (of the Chris kind) and Wayne Simmonds interview on THN
2309379311_5dd939250e_o_small
You are not welcome in the Pepsi Centre
Manbearstewart_small
Los Angeles vs Colorado
Nhl-and-food-network_small
Paying the price to compete for the Cup - Now with a Poll!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Promotion


Add to Technorati Favorites Sports Blogs - Blog Top Sites
Sports Blogs Blogroll.net
Top Blogs Sports blogs
Blog Directory
BlogRankers.com Sport Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory

 


View Stats

Listed on the ArmchairGM Sports Blog Index


 

View blog authority

 

SBNation.com Recent Stories

NEWARK NJ - JULY 20:  Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils poses for photographs following the media opportunity announcing his contract renewal at the Prudential Center on July 20 2010 in Newark New Jersey.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) +9 updates

With Arbitrator And Hearing Date Set, Is Kovalchuk Contract Mess Set To End?

In this photo taken on Monday, July 19, 2010, Atlanta Thrashers forward Andrew Ladd, formerly of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, spends his day with the Stanley Cup atop Crown Mountain, British Columbia., north of Vancouver. Ladd, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was flown by helicopter to the top of Crown Mountain to watch the sunrise. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,  Mark L. Johnson) +55 updates

NHL Free Agency: Andrew Ladd Avoids Arbitration, Signs With Thrashers

FILE - In this May 7, 2009, file photo, Milan Michalek, front left, of the Czech Republic attacks Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson, right, during a quarterfinal at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Bern, Switzerland. Sweden's Carl Gunnarsson is seen behind on left. The Toronto Maple Leafs landed Gustavsson with a one-year contract on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. The 24-year-old netminder, nicknamed "The Monster," was also heavily pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File) link

Euro Hockey For Dummies: A Primer On How European Hockey Leagues Work

More from SBNation.com >


Managing Editors

Icon_small Joe Dunman

New_profile_small David Driscoll-Carignan

Staff Writers

Profilepic2_small Mike @ MHH

Boone_small Angélique C. Murray

Photo_10_small Derek B

Black_mage_small Dustin Burfiend

Young_guns_poster_copy_small Paul's Coffey