Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects
Strengths
  • Defense
  • Goaltending depth
Weaknesses
  • Lack of depth on the wings

About Prospect Scores and Probability

Prospect Criteria

Legend of Players' Leagues
Pro
Playing in N.A. Pro (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc.)
CHL
Playing in CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
NCAA
Playing in NCAA
Europe
Playing in Europe
Junior
Playing in Junior 'A' (USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc.)
N/A
Not Categorized Yet

Goaltenders

League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Calvin Pickard Pro 7.5 C
2. Kieran Millan Pro 7.0 C
3. Sami Aittokallio Pro 7.0 C
4. Kent Patterson Pro 7.0 C

Right Wing

League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Garrett Meurs CHL 6.5 C
2. Luke Walker Pro 6.0 C
3. Luke Moffatt NCAA 6.0 D

Left Wing

League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Mike Connolly Pro 7.0 D
2. Troy Bourke CHL 6.5 C
3. Andrew Agozzino Pro 6.5 D
4. Trevor Cheek Pro 6.0 C
5. Paul Carey Pro 6.0 D

Centers

League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Michael Sgarbossa Pro 7.5 C
2. Joey Hishon Pro 7.5 D
3. Nate Condon NCAA 6.5 C
4. Joachim Nermark Europe 6.5 C
5. Mitchell Heard CHL 6.5 C
6. Colin Smith CHL 6.5 C
7. Brad Malone Pro 6.0 B
8. Michael Clarke CHL 6.0 C
9. Joseph Blandisi CHL 6.0 C

Defensemen

League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Tyson Barrie Pro 7.5 B
2. Duncan Siemens CHL 7.5 C
3. Stefan Elliott Pro 7.5 C
4. Joel Chouinard Pro 6.5 D
5. Gabriel Beaupre Pro 6.0 C
6. Markus Lauridsen Pro 6.0 C
7. Gus Young NCAA 6.0 D
8. Dillon Donnelly CHL 6.0 D

Minor pro players lead the Colorado Avalanche prospect awards

by Blake Benzel
on

Stefan Elliott - Colorado Avalanche

Photo: After a long stint in Colorado in 2011-12, defenseman Stefan Elliott underachieved at the AHL level for most of his season with Lake Erie in 2012-13 (courtesy of Jimmy Simmons/Icon SMI)

Despite making the playoffs a few seasons ago, the Colorado Avalanche have been languishing the last few seasons, not fully able to cash in on the promise of their young players. Not only have they struggled on the ice, but they have struggled in the draft as well, lacking the organizational depth that makes the great teams truly great. All that aside, there are players in their system that have stood out a bit above the rest.

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Small group of Colorado Avalanche prospects playing in NCAA and Europe

by Blake Benzel
on

Gus Young - Yale Bulldogs

Photo: Junior defenseman Gus Young stepped into a shutdown role in a breakout season for the National Champion Yale Bulldogs (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

It would be easy to overlook the prospects that the Colorado Avalanche have developing in the NCAA and Europe, simply because none are flashy prospects. All were drafted after the third round and none are even the superstars on their own teams. To overlook these four prospects, however, would be a huge mistake as all of them look to be making strides that will, ultimately, find them playing in the pro ranks soon.

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Team Rankings: Columbus Blue Jackets system has contributed to NHL playoff push

by HF Staff
on

Cam Atkinson - Columbus Blue Jackets

Photo: Cam Atkinson is one of several Blue Jackets prospects who has seen regular time in the lineup for Columbus during the 2013 NHL season (courtesy of Jason Mowry/Icon SMI)

Welcome to the Hockey's Future Spring NHL Team Rankings, the staff's ranking of each NHL team's system based on the strength of the entire prospect pool. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The ranking is done twice a year, with this edition being an update to the Fall ranking.

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2013 Frozen Four: Young concentrating on defensive play at Yale

by DJ Powers
on

2013 NCAA Frozen Four

Article: Yale defenseman and Colorado Avalanche prospect Gus Young and his Bulldogs teammates will face-off against UMass Lowell in the early semi-final game at the 2013 Frozen Four.

Junior defenseman Gus Young (COL) has blossomed into a tough and effective defensive defenseman for the Yale Bulldogs this season. He has played in all 35 games for that school, posting eight points (two goals, six assists) to date. Young is one of just three Colorado Avalanche prospects playing in the NCAA this season.

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Tyson Barrie leads the way in Colorado Avalanche’s mid-season Top 20

by Blake Benzel
on
Tyson Barrie - Colorado Avalanche

Photo: Defenseman Tyson Barrie, who has skated in 20 NHL games with the Avalanche in 2012-13, moved into the top spot in Colorado’s mid-season Top 20 (courtesy of Dustin Bradford/Icon SMI)

 
The Colorado Avalanche are in a very unique position for their franchise. They have a bevy of young talent in their organization – if you look at their roster, the team does not have many players over the age of 28 playing in the NHL this season. The problem for Colorado is, the bulk of that young talent is already on their NHL roster, leaving the cupboard a bit bare behind them.

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