The Avalanche have one of the better top lines in division.
We know thatNathan MacKinnon,Gabriel LandeskogandMikko Rantanenare productive and solid. They are the top power play unit, they carried the Avalanche at times last season.
What’s murkier is Colorado’s depth beyond that top line. A second line ofTyson Jostcentering second-year phenomAlexander KerfootandSven Andrighettoremains a solid line, particularly if Kerfoot breaks out in his second season but there is a substantial production dropoff from 93 goals to 39 from the top line.
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Colorado’s third line, we assume, will consist ofJ.T. Compher,Colin Wilsonand Vladisav Kamenev. Kamenev will be making his first real appearance with the Avalanche since a broken arm sidelined him for nearly all of the 2017 season. The big (6’2″, 195) forward will be a boost to a line centered by Compher who notched 13 goals and 23 points as a third-line wing last year.Colin Wilson, added on July 1st last year via trade from the Nashville Predators has yet to make a full impression on us as an Avs forward but in his time in Colorado he did produce six goals and 12 assists. Also big at 6’1″and 225lbs, he rounds out a solid forechecking third line with above-average productivity.
We’re projecting the fourth line to beCarl SoderbergcenteringMatthew NietoandMatt Calvert. The trio combined for 40 goals last season and rate as one of the better fourth line combinations in the West. Soderberg had a solid campaign for the Avalanche last season with 37 points, he also scored three big game-winning goals.
Colorado is solid up front and should be able to roll four lines effectively most nights. Offense is not a concern for Colorado but how does the defense stack up?
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