DENVER, CO – Much of the surprising success of the Colorado Avalanche last season can be attributed to the contributions of 2009 draft picks, Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly, as well as a myriad of young untested rookies. The Avs were 13th in the overall league standings, sixth in scoring, 17th in defense, 15th on the power play, 21st on the penalty kill, and 29th in face-offs. The top six point leaders were all forwards and no one position outdid the other. They had very well balanced scoring throughout the lineup. The Avs had four players with 20 or more goals, and five with 10 or more. The defense was solid with Ryan Wilson, Kyle Quincey, and Adam Foote anchoring the blueline. In the net the Avs got had identical seasons from Craig Anderson and Peter Budaj who both had a goals against average of 2.64 and a save percentage of .917. Given the above stats, the PK and face-offs are what killed the team. The Avs were 16th in penalties so the face-offs didn’t kill them too much from that perspective. Colorado has five UFA’s that are forward and two that are defenseman. Both goaltenders are signed through the end of next season. In terms of prospects, four of the team’s top five prospects are defenseman so don’t look for the Avs to make a defenseman a top priority with their first round draft pick. In the upcoming NHL Entry Draft this Friday, in keeping with their recent success strategy, the Avalanche will be well served to use their early round picks to add some NHL ready youngsters to the already deep core of players in the Avs farm system. Skilled puck handlers and goal scorers are a highly valued entity, thus taking the best player available is always a great strategy. If it also happens to fit the needs of the team it is truly win-win. Although talk around the league indicates the Los Angeles Kings may attempt to trade up to draft a local Southern California product, who just so happens to be a and former in-line skater, the Colorado Avalanche should take a look at right winger Emerson Etem of the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL). Etem is a solid skater and goal scorer who put up 37 goals and 28 assists in 72 games. The Avs always go for talented goal scorers and how PHN’s mock draft is shaking out it would be pretty tough to pass on such as talent. With that said, expect to hear the following words come Draft day. “With the 17th pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche select, from the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League, right winger Emerson Etem.” To learn more about Emerson Etem click on his name.
Contact the author at Terry.Sanford@prohockeynews.com
