One reason each NHL team should be excited for the 2018 season

Colorado Avalanche – A Strong Young Core

Few NHL teams will be younger than the Colorado Avalanche next year. Hart Trophy Finalist Nathan MacKinnon will be 23 years old once the season starts in October. Tyson Jost is just 20 years old and is well on his way to becoming a solid NHL player.

Young defenseman Samuel Girard, acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, will be just 20 years old as well. At 26 years old, Philip Grubauer is ready to prove he’s a starting goalie after posting outstanding numbers as a backup goalie for the Washington Capitals.

Colorado will be under pressure in 2018-19 to replicate their success from last season. But their core players are a year older and a year better.

The Avalanche added even more to their young core during the 2018 NHL Draft, drafting talented wing Martin Kaut in the first round. Mikko Rantanen had a breakout season, putting up 29 goals and 84 points alongside MacKinnon. Alexander Kerfoot was a surprising contributor, posting 43 points in 79 games after being signed as a college free agent.

Colorado will be under pressure in 2018-19 to replicate their success from last season. But their core players are a year older and a year better. Their core is much stronger than a lot of people want to believe. Most importantly, they own the Ottawa Senators’ 2019 first-round pick, and let’s just say there’s a really good chance that one’s going to be somewhere in the top three.