The Colorado Avalanche were tipped by many to win the Stanley Cup last season, but ultimately, they fell short at the final hurdle. However, this burgeoning team appears to be set up in a way that will ensure they can challenge for years to come.
Since their playoff defeat by Vegas, the Avs have suffered numerous key departures. Can they still contend, or will we see them take a step back this season?
The Team Core Remains
The good news for fans of the team is that the core remains, thanks to the last-minute deal that kept captain Gabriel Landeskog with the team. That alone is enough for this team to be a playoff team, and many believe simply by having this core in place, the Avs will once again contend.
Led by Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Landeskog, this team is stacked, and not only are these four some of the best in the league right now, but they also have great chemistry together. These four together play a big part in why the latest NHL betting odds have Colorado +450 favorites for the Stanley Cup this coming season.
Around FPC
NHL: Sabres, Dahlin Agree On Three-Year Contract Extension
NHL: Injuries Create Opportunities As Flyers Open 2021 Training Camp
KHL: Jakub Kovar And Avto Part Ways
-
Ep 161: Lions Dissapoint; NFL MVP; Week 12 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 12:12 am
NFL: Tom Brady On The Cusp Of 80K Yards And More
Wrestling: WWE Remains In Denial About AEW
PODCAST: The Fourth Line Hockey Podcast Ep 345 – The Gold Medal Celebration
Who Needs Replacing?
Three key players from the 2020/21 lineup have departed the Avalanche: Philipp Grubauer, Brandon Saad, and Joonas Donskoi. The first two named left the Avs in free agency, with Grubauer signing a big-money deal to play for newcomers, the Seattle Kraken. He will play alongside Donskoi, who was taken by the Kraken in the expansion draft.
Grubauer was excellent last season and made it to the Vezina final, an award for the best netminder in the league. His replacement is Darcy Kuemper, who has been brought in from Arizona and tasked with putting up performances to match what Grubauer gave the team last season.
Brandon Saad played on the second line for most of last season, putting up 24 points from 44 games in the regular season followed by eight points from 10 playoff games. His replacement appears to be youngster Alex Newhook, who played a total of 14 games last season but will have far bigger expectations on his shoulders this coming season.
Lastly, Joonas Donskoi played on the third line predominantly but was used higher up the line up to fill in when injuries occurred. His ability to do that was always key for the team, and now someone else has to fill that role.
This will likely drop onto the shoulders of JT Compher, Valeri Nichushkin, or Tyson Jost, though none of those have shown consistency when it comes to putting points on the board. The Avs haven’t replaced Donskoi with one player, instead, they will call upon their depth to combine together and fill this gap.
Questions remain over the Avalanche and their Stanley Cup chances for the coming season. With their core, you certainly cannot discount them, but compared to last year, they don’t seem to have as much depth, and have a question mark over their netminding, with a new goalie on board.
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussionby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 179: Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 178: Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and More With Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on November 18, 2023 at 3:00 am
Former NFL executive Joe Banner returns to the show to talk with Clark and […]
-
Ep 177: Hall of Famer Mel Blount Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 11, 2023 at 1:00 am
Former Steeler and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount joins Clark and […]
-
Film Room Look at College Championship Week Gamesby LandryFootball.com on December 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm
College football’s all-important final weekend is here and first the […]
-
Remember these names in the Transfer Portalby LandryFootball.com on December 1, 2023 at 12:00 am
The 2024 transfer portal may not open until Dec. 4, but it is in full […]
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
-
Ep 315: Week 12 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:46 am
-
Ep 314: Week 11 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:18 am
-
Ep 313: Week 10 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 9, 2023 at 1:53 am
-
Ep 198: Week 13 vs Chiefsby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm
In this episode, co-hosts Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall are joined by Braden […]
-
Ep 197: Recapping Weeks 11 & 12by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 11:26 pm
This episode is a double-dip in a good way. Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 828by Charlie Saunier on December 1, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ep 828 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 6-1 L Vs Wild Preview Rangers & […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-1 - Take the 2 points and runby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Last night wasn't pretty but they found a way to win and that's what […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 12-1 - Carolina Falls 5-4 in Overtime Against the Islanders.by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Hurricanes thoroughly outshot the New York Islanders 43-16, but the […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 12-1 - Shootout loss, Maple Leafs, Marnerby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Recapping the shootout loss to Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Wild - 12-1 - Recapping a dominating Wild win over the predators.by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Win, Nashville, domination, Connor Dewar. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Panthers 12-1 - Florida Panthers cap their road trip with a W over the Montreal Canadiensby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:20 pm
The Panthers on the road had a chance for a shutout but nonetheless […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFLby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
11/24 - Thanksgiving Recap, Jets/Dolphins, Week 12 Picksby Full Press Coverage on November 24, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Ian and John react to all of the action on Thanksgiving Day and look ahead […]
-
11/23 - Thanksgiving Day Preview, Tom Brady, Top 5 NFL Teamsby Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Ian and John discuss the Thanksgiving Day slate of games in the NFL, Tom […]
-
11/21- MNF Reaction, Eagles Handle Chiefs, NFL MVPby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:31 am
Ian and John react to the Eagles win over the Chiefs on Monday Night […]
-
11/20 - Week 11 Reactions, MVP Race, MNF Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 20, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Ian and John react to Sunday's NFL action, talk MVP, and preview MNF […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - 12-1 - UFC Heavyweight Championship re-unified?by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:15 pm
-
76ers at Celtics - Spurs at Pelicans - Nuggets at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Chiefs at Packers - Bengals at Jaguarsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Wizards at Magic - Grizzlies at Mavericks - Knicks at Raptorsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 2:10 pm
-
Ep. 316: GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovichby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep. 314: PSAC Commissioner Steve Murrayby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep. 317: Inside Jacksonville University Basketballby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep. 262 - The In Season Tournament is Going Better Than Anyone Expectedby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 12:56 am
-
Ep 198: Week 13 vs Chiefsby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Review and Roman Reigns Inflated Title Streakby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he breaks down AEW Full Gear 2023. What […]
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again getting you ready for AEW 2023 Full Gear […]
-
Ep 192 - Matt Morganby Full Press Coverage on November 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Matt Morgan is a 7-foot monster who had runs in both WWE and TNA. This […]