Elias Lindholm Tops Avalanche Trade Deadline Targets & Mikko Rantanen Having Overlooked Season
Also, Zach Parise signing with the Colorado Avalanche & more!
Welcome to the THW Colorado Avalanche Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Avalanche writers.
In today’s edition, the NHL Trade Deadline is not too far away. Elias Lindholm is at the top of the Avalanche trade priorities, as well as the season Mikko Rantanen is having while being overlooked by his teammate's success.
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Elias Lindholm Tops Avalanche Trade Deadline Targets
January 26, 2024 by Stefano Rubino
Through 48 games this season, the Colorado Avalanche sit second in the Central Division with a 31-14-5 record and are tied with the Winnipeg Jets with 65 points. The Avalanche have had tremendous support from their stars and role players this season – from Nathan MacKinnon’s dominance to the newly formed line of Ross Colton, Miles Wood, and Logan O’Connor. Even with their success, the Avalanche could address some weaknesses ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 8.
President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and General Manager Chris Macfarland have less than two months to review this roster and pinpoint areas that need improvement for a better chance at another Stanley Cup run. With $1.2 million in cap space and limited picks, it will be interesting to see how they plan to upgrade their center depth, find a backup goalie, or even go all out in a blockbuster trade for an elite winger.
These are the players the Avalanche should target if they want to go on another deep playoff run.
Mikko Rantanen Having Overlooked Season for the Avalanche
January 23, 2024 by Stefano Rubino
The Colorado Avalanche have one of the best-built rosters in the NHL that can compete for a Stanley Cup every season, with a significant factor being their star players. Nathan MacKinnon is leading the offense, operating at above a point per game, and making his case for the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy. Cale Makar is leading the defense and putting up historic numbers and is currently in the race for the Norris Trophy. Throw in a healthy Gabriel Landeskog, and you have one of the best top-sixes in the NHL, but one player not mentioned yet is continuing from his career season from last season and continuing to be a top-10 NHL point scorer.
Mikko Rantanen has been under-recognized this season for his point production. He has picked up from where he left of last season — when he had a career-high of 105 points and 55 goals — and is continuing the success he has with MacKinnon on the top line. He is currently eighth in points in the NHL, and while the lack of recognition Rantanen is getting isn’t shocking considering how his teammates are playing, he still needs to get the recognition he deserves.
Colorado Avalanche Sign Forward Zach Parise
January 26, 2024 by Stefano Rubino
The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Zach Parise to a one-year contract worth $825,000, with no performance bonuses. He went un-signed to begin the 2023-24 season after playing with the New York Islanders the past two seasons. He was drafted 17th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.
Parise played seven seasons with the Devils and put up a career-high 94 points during the 2008-09 season. He was later traded to the Minnesota Wild and signed a massive 13-year, $98 million contract extension. He played nine seasons in Minnesota, only managing to break over 60 points in a season twice, which saw him and fellow teammate at the time Ryan Suter bought out by the Wild. He later signed with the Islanders to start the 2021-22 season.
Avalanche’s Artturi Lehkonen Set To Return Against Capitals
January 24, 2024 by Stefano Rubino
It’s been 75 days since Artturi Lehkonen last played an NHL game. However, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar believes it’s time to bring the forward back into the lineup. The 28-year-old player sustained an injury to his upper body after crashing headfirst into the boards during the game against Seattle Kraken on Nov. 9. After undergoing rehab for over two months, he is now fit to return to the game. Lehkonen traveled with the team on their recent road trip, but Bednar told the media that he kept him out of the lineup despite the possibility of him playing.
Bednar has confirmed that Lehkonen will be activated from long-term injured reserve for tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals. Defenseman Bowen Byram is also set to return from injured reserve after a multi-week absence. Bednar made this announcement during an interview on Wednesday at Altitude Sports 92.5 FM (KKSE-FM).
Avalanche Lean on Power Play During Recent Surge
January 30, 2024 by Kerry Collins
With the All-Star Game just around the corner, the Colorado Avalanche are in the midst of a pretty successful stretch. They have won seven of their last nine games, pushing them to the second-best record in the Western Conference at 32-14-3.
A driving force behind the recent run of success has been the power play, as the squad has racked up 10 power-play goals in its last nine contests. The success with the man advantage has bumped the Avalanche into a tie for sixth in the NHL in power-play percentage (25.7). Colorado’s 47 power-play goals are also tied the most in the league with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Here’s a look at what’s been working for the Avs with the man-advantage.
Avalanche’s Logan O’Connor Rising to Occasion
January 21, 2024 by Kerry Collins
The Colorado Avalanche were thrown a bit of a curveball last week when they lost Valeri Nichushkin indefinitely as he entered the NHL’s player assistance program. While no one is going to blame Nichushkin for reaching out for help, the forward’s absence loomed large – particularly since he was in the midst of a career year.
Like many teams, the Avalanche have been craving depth scoring for some time now. When they needed it most, a familiar face stepped up to make it happen. Logan O’Connor is having a career year in his own right, and he’s emerged as an offensive force – culminating in his first career hat trick on Saturday (Jan. 20) against the Philadelphia Flyers. Don’t look now, but Colorado’s answers to their depth scoring might have been on the roster all along.