Avalanche 17th in Hockey's Future Organization Rankings

"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.

over 2 years ago SportsDalaiLama 2 comments 0 recs |

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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 A.J. Haefele on Oct 27, 2009 1:43 AM MDT reply actions