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NHL Power Rankings: Week 14 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

By Matt Duscharme

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames
NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames /

Previous Ranking: 29 (+1)

Team Record: (13-25-1)

Goals For: 79

Goals Against: 129

Special Teams

PP: 18-for-132 (13.6 percent) (28th)
PK: 34-for-153 (77.8 percent) (25th)

Injury List

Erik Johnson (leg) – out until Late-January
Francois Beauchemin (illness) – day-to-day

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Nathan MacKinnon (39gp 10g 17a 27pts)
Top Defenseman: Tyson Barrie (39gp 3g 18a 21pts)
Top Rookie: Mikko Rantanen (34gp 6g 12a 18pts)
Top Goaltender: Calvin Pickard (7-11-1 3.06GAA .902 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Nathan MacKinnon (1gp 1g 1a 2pts)

It was a light week for the Colorado Avalanche with just a single game versus the New York Islanders. They edged NY 2-1 giving them 27 points on the season. Goaltender Calvin Pickard had his best start since before Christmas allowing just one goal on 36 shots. Nathan MacKinnon led the way up front with a goal and an assist.

Since we don’t have a larger sample size to look back at, let’s take a brief look at what the future holds for Colorado. The big question in the hockey world right now is whether the Avs do a complete teardown and rebuild, or simply re-tool on the fly. I’d opt for the latter. The only untouchables on this roster would be Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Calvin Pickard, Tyson Jost, J.T. Compher, and A.J. Greer. Defenseman Tyson Barrie would be hovering around that untouchable line, meaning it would take one heck of an offer to move him. Otherwise, I’m unloading Matt Duchene, Semyon Varlamov, Gabriel Landeskog, Carl Soderberg, Erik Johnson, the list goes on. Joe Sakic needs to target youth, prospects, and draft picks in return and start building towards the next few years.

Weekly Prospect Profile: D Mason Geertsen, San Antonio/Colorado (AHL/ECHL)

2016-17 stats: 12gp 0g 0a 0pts/3gp 0g 4a 4pts

Selected 93rd overall (4th round) back in 2013, Geertsen is a big (6’4 212lbs) left-handed shooting defenseman. He has spent his first two years of pro bouncing back and forth from the AHL and ECHL, but that has more to do with a veteran crop of d-men in San Antonio rather than a knock of Mason’s abilities. In terms of skill-set, Mason Geertsen is a very sound, responsible player in his own end. It’s his offensive game that needs to be developed at the next level for him to be successful a little ways down the road.

– Ryan Ritchie

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