It has been a year of turnover as the Colorado Avalanche continue to reset their prospect pipeline yet again. A surprisingly hefty nine-pick draft class added some new faces, which will take a while to get familiar with and gather analysis of their games. As such, several are not ranked here and it wouldn’t be fair to evaluate them based on such scant first hand information.
As always this is a prospect ranking, therefore anyone over the age of 22 and past their Entry Level Contract are not ranked. For a type of broader range organizational ranking look for my other work with Mile High Hockey and our Top 25 Under 25 series.
From the 2023 list goaltender Trent Miner has aged out but thrilled to have him stick around another year in Colorado. Jeremy Hanzel was traded to Nashville at the deadline, Alex Beaucage did not receive a qualifying offer and the club elected not to sign Ivan Zhigalov. Also, in the interest of keeping this list tight not every prospect will be listed past the top 15 cutoff. Therefore, Colby Ambrosio and Andrei Buyalsky who were both ranked last year will not be included. They still are technically property of the Avalanche but will clearly go unsigned and are not given prospect consideration at this juncture.
All factors of ceiling, floor, proximity to NHL and likelihood of contributing are all considered with more weight given to upside and current performance in higher leagues. Prospects don’t exist in a vacuum so their place and probability for success within the organization are factors as well.
A fair amount of weight is also given to those who have NHL contracts because that is a massive hurdle to climb with the Avalanche front office giving out few Entry Level Contracts, which is an obvious necessity to playing in and impacting the NHL.
For reference my 2023 list is HERE, 2022 list is HERE, 2021 list is HERE, 2020 list is HERE as well as the 2019 list HERE.
1 Calum Ritchie (–)
The organization’s top prospect and young asset. If anything Ritchie’s stock has only continued to rise.
2 Mikhail Gulyayev (–)
After a full year on a KHL blueline, the future is nothing but bright for this Russian gem.
3 Ilya Nabokov (NEW)
With his current trajectory Nabokov could be on a star track, if not he’s still likely good NHL depth in net.
4 RW Jean-Luc Foudy (-1)
Heading into his fifth year of pro hockey Foudy needs to solidify a NHL job soon.
5 LD Sean Behrens (–)
Even after three years in college it’s only the beginning for Behrens’ path to the NHL.
6 LW Oskar Olausson (-2)
He’s been around forever it seems but the fast track won’t come with two years left on his ELC.
7 C Ivan Ivan (NEW)
Did what is almost impossible and made an impression in the AHL to earn a contract but the climb starts now.
8 LW William Zellers (NEW)
Forward on a long path to pro punctuated with some skill.
9 RD Tory Pitner (NEW)
Some interesting upside with this cerebral and smooth defenseman taking Behrens’ place at DU this fall.
10 C Max Curran (NEW)
Overlooked offensive upside is the hope with the forward who hasn’t played since January due to injury.
11 C Christian Humphreys (NEW)
One of the better players at the NTDP fell to the seventh round which is hopefully Colorado’s gain.
12 LW Maros Jedlicka (-2)
It was disappointing he missed a whole year due to injury and now has elected to go back to Europe. Very uncertain future for Jedlicka at this point.
13 C Matt Stienburg (-6)
With one year left on his contract Stienburg needs to show something in the AHL soon.
14 LD Saige Weinstien (NEW)
Defense will have to be the calling card of this rookie camp invite who got noticed and earned a contract.
15 C Taylor Makar (-4)
Nearing decision time for the younger Makar and hopefully a change of schools sparks some progress in his game.