2025 Avalanche Prospect Ranking

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.

There has been quite a bit of turnover from last year’s list. Our number one Calum Ritchie was sent to Long Island, Jean-Luc Foudy didn’t receive a qualifying offer, William Zellers got moved to Boston, likewise Oskar Olausson to San Jose, Matt Stienburg aged out even though he’s back with the Colorado Eagles this season and Maros Jedlicka had his rights expire but on an AHL only contract therefore he’s not currently Avalanche property.

As always this is a prospect ranking, therefore typically anyone over the age of 22 and past their Entry Level Contract are not ranked. Taylor Makar and Zakhar Bardakov are exceptions this year at 24 years of age because they are on ELC, just beginning their pro careers and frankly the Avalanche don’t have many relevant prospects to rank. For a type of broader range organizational ranking look for my other work with Mile High Hockey and our Top 25 Under 25 series.

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 2024 list is HERE, 2023 list is HERE, 2022 list is HERE, 2021 list is HERE, 2020 list is HERE as well as the 2019 list HERE.

1 G Ilya Nabokov (+2)

With Ritchie gone it is Nabokov who is the top prospect hope in the organization.

2 RD Mikhail Gulyayev (–)

Getting closer to a North American debut.

3 C Ivan Ivan (+4)

Getting in 40 NHL games has to count for something, right?

4 LW Gavin Brindley (NEW)

Had a lot of hype leaving college now the new kid on the block. Is he on the fast track to the Avalanche lineup?

5 LD Sean Behrens (–)

A lost season due to injury set him back but Behrens is still one of the most talented prospects in the organization.

6 RW Nikita Prishchepov (+10)

Major riser from unranked but is he a seventh round miracle or a one hit wonder?

7 LD Francesco Dell’Elce (NEW)

The headliner of the 2025 draft class with Malinski type promise.

8 RW Taylor Makar (+7)

Will he make noise in his first year pro?

9 C Max Curran (+1)

Raw but intruiging offensive skill set.

10 C Christian Humphreys (+1)

Finished the year strong in the OHL.

11 C Zakhar Bardakov (NEW)

Older prospect made exception on this list as he begins in Avalanche organization.

12 RD Linus Funck (NEW)

Rare young Swede into the prospect pool but is he coming to North America too soon?

13 RD Tory Pitner (-4)

Interesting cerebral skill set but needs to take a step at DU this season.

14 LD Saige Weinstien (–)

Starting his pro career, will we see why the Avalanche signed him so quickly?

15 C Jake Fisher (+1)

Gimmers of progress as a freshman at DU.