Colorado Avalanche: 2018-19 season preview, predictions

Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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colorado avalanche
Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche took the NHL by surprise last season by doubling their point total from 2016-17. Can they repeat last year’s performance? 

Very few NHL teams have seen a greater improvement than the 2017-18 Colorado Avalanche. In 2016-17, they only picked up 48 points. Last season, the Avalanche nearly doubled that total with 95 points. They made the postseason, and even though they lost to the Nashville Predators in the first round, their 2017-18 season can’t be seen as anything but a success.

The Avalanche will face far higher expectations in 2018-19. They’ll be bringing back most of their roster from last season. With the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars both seeing offseason improvements, the Avalanche will have to once again surprise the league to make the postseason.

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That said, they have what it takes to be a competitive team. Much like last year, the Avalanche will need things to bounce their way. But this time around, Colorado should have better goaltending thanks to a huge trade at the 2018 NHL Draft.

Offseason Recap

Additions: G Philipp Grubauer, D Ian Cole, F Matt Calvert, F Martin Kaut

Departures: F Nail Yakupov, G Andrew Hammond, F Blake Comeau, D Duncan Siemens, F Jonathan Colbourne, G Jonathan Bernier

The Avalanche’s biggest offseason acquisition came at the 2018 NHL Draft. Needing cap space, the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals traded Grubauer to the Avalanche along with defenseman Brooks Orpik (who the Avs bought out and later re-signed with the Caps) for a second-round pick.

Grubauer gives Colorado a great goaltending option. While he has yet to prove himself as a starter, he’s done well in a short-term role there and he’s been one of the best backups in the NHL over the past two seasons.

Cole should give the Avalanche a solid defensive option. Calvert will help the Avs overcome the loss of versatile forward Blake Comeau. Kaut was drafted by the Avalanche in the first round and could get a tryout.