DENVER, Colo — Looking to find prospects in Colorado system at forward position with real chance to wear one day Avalanche jersey is harder then you might think at first. Sure you can come up with bunch of names already drafted by the organization but the question here is, how many of them will be able to have an impact with the NHL team? For example, how many of them will be able to play on the first two lines, and become an important cog in the Avalanche lineup? Again, the only plausible answer to those questions will be time and performance on the ice. Chris Stewart and T. J. Hensick are two talented forwards who have promise of a good future. In Stewart’s case, the young Toronto native played half the season with the NHL team. Is he still considered a prospect or a player who is on verge of establishing himself in the NHL? In Hensick’s case he hasn’t had a chance yet to play in Denver. What is the organization’s plan toward the young Lansing, Michigan native? Does he really have a future in the organization? Next training camp will give a good indication of Colorado’s real intentions. Team owner Stanley Kroenke seems none too happy with the kind of season his NHL team has had this year, so Colorado fans won’t be surprise if some major decisions come up in the summer to let some players go and give the young guns a chance to prove themselves in training camp. It will certainly be interesting to follow the action in Denver in the next couple of months. The official elimination of the Avalanche from the upcoming playoffs meant a chance to be a lottery pick from positions 1-5. In addition to the five prospects you are about to read in this article, you might be adding the Avs first round pick in 2009. If the odds are in the Avalanche favor the day of the lottery, and they land the first or second overall pick, it will be no-brainer if they didn’t trade him. The Avs will surely select either John Tavares or Victor Hedman, but if Colorado ends up with third pick overall, the selection they might go for promises to be very interesting. The Avalanche will have the possibility of getting their hands a couple of very good prospects, whether it will be Matt Duchene from Brampton (OHL), Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (Sweden), Brayden Schenn (Brandon, WHL), or Evander Kane (Vancouver, WHL). Now, let’s have a look at the five Colorado Avalanche prospects that aren’t with the NHL team or their AHL affiliate that fans might see in the near future. 1 – Ryan Stoa: Drafted 34th overall in second round in 2005, this young kid can play at center or as a left winger, and is the next generation of power forwards you will see in the NHL. With the Minnesota Golden Gophers, he played on the first line with Jay Barriball and Jordan Schroder. Together they were simply dominant players on the University team. Stoa ended with 46 points (24g-22a) followed by Schroder with 45 points (13g-22a) and Barriball with 34 points (11g-23a). The Bloomington, Minnesota native decided to turn pro and signed his first professional contract for the next two years with the organization. He is a great skater with very good hockey senses and is not afraid of the rough stuff. He can take a hit to make play, has good hockey skill with great anticipation on the ice, and possesses the ability to play on the first two lines in Colorado. Stoa is eligibile to become a restricted free agent in 2011. 2 – Brandon Yip: Selected 239th overall in the 8th round in 2004. The right winger could be a good surprise for the Avalanche. Plagued by injuries during this year with the Boston University Terriers, he was able to stay healthy enough to make a very important contribution to the team. His team began the season, not just as the best team in Hockey East, but in all of college hockey. BU will play in this weekends 2009 Frozen Four Tournament. He also played very well in this years Denver Cup Tournament in January. Mostly used with Jason Lawrence and Chris Connelly during the year, his production was a great indicator of his potential. The right winger ended this season with 41 points in 42 games (20g-21a). He is not afraid to the heavy circulation, and he can light the lamp on a regular bases. He has good skating ability, and great hockey sense. In the NHL, Yip can bring some good offensive production on a third line on right side, and can help play on the second line to take place of injured teammates, but he will mostly be a third liner. Colorado holds Yip’s rights until August 15th 2009. 3 – Michael Carman: A third round selection (81st overall) in 2006, joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers later that fall, and is a real good two-way player. The 6’ 01″, 180 pound Carman always wants to be on the ice when the game is on the line to stop the opponents best player, or killing off an important penalty. If you have the chance to see him play, you will discover that he plays an in-your-face style of game, and is always ready to do the things that will tick off an opponent. If you asked teammates and coaches on the Gophers, they will be unanimous in telling you that the best way to describe Carmen is, he is an under-your-skin kind of player who can score goals, play on the first penalty killing unit, and enjoy a challenge. An avid fan of the game, he is always eager to find new ways to get better. Carman could become a very good third centerman in the NHL who will enjoy the challenge and be ready to answer the bell every time he puts his skates on the ice. A very good student of the game, he will get his share offensively, but it won’t be his primary job. The Avalanche hold Carman’s rights until August 15, 2010. 4 – Justin Mercier: Drafted 168th overall (6th round) in 2005, the left winger is in his last year at the University of Miami of Ohio. Mercier’s opponents will be the first to recognize his competitiveness and willingness to play a physical game every time he is on the ice. The coaching staff won’t hesitate to describe him as an all-around player who gave all he has in the goal of helping his team to win. During his junior campaign (2007-08), he ended the regular season totaling 40 points (25g-15a), and was nominated for the defensive forward of the year award. He is a player who has the reputation of not being afraid to go into traffic, has great anticipation, and plays very well without the puck, a quality often looked for by an NHL organization. As Avs fans will see in the near future, if Colorado signs their prospects, you will be able to see lots of competition for spots on the third line. The Avalanche holds his rights until August 2009. 5 – Paul Carey: A fifth round selection (135th overall) in 2007, the Boston College product is mostly recognized for his offensive talent. With Salisbury High School in 2006-07 season, he finished the regular season with 27 points in 24 games (16g-11a) and with Indiana of the USHL, he ended up with 66 points in 60 games (34g-32a). The North Weymouth, Mass native is a power forward who will do everything humanly possibly to be in the lineup in order to play hockey. He loves the competition, is a powerful skater, has great hands, good hockey sense, great stick handling ability, and is patient with the puck. Carey can be used on left wing, and isn’t afraid to do dirty work in front of opposing goaltenders. Carey will face lots of competition in training camp, but his versatility and his scoring ability might be an advantage for him, if he continues to play the way he is. Colorado holds Carey rights until August 15, 2012. Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.