Avalanche Prospect Portfolio: Drew Helleson is coming

For many leagues around the world, the home stretch of the season has been entered and in some cases, the playoffs are already underway. For prospects, this is the last push to make an impression before the Avs turn their focus toward their own playoffs.

AHL:

The Colorado Eagles are plugging right along now third in the Pacific and fifth in the Western Conference by points percentage. You can read more about them in Meghan Angley’s most recent piece.

Mikhail Maltsev – LW

While Maltsev can’t really be considered a prospect it needs to be said that there isn’t much more he can do at the AHL level at this point. While balancing the cap sheet may be a challenge it seems like Maltsev is due for another crack at the Avs lineup.

Europe:

Nils Aman – C (Leksands) round 6, pick 167, 2020

Aman has added a couple of points down the stretch but nothing that’s going to move the needle for him. Leksands could be a team that sneaks into the SHL playoffs but anything short of an incredible run from Aman will likely see him out the door on June 1st.

OHL:

Oskar Olausson – RW (Oshawa Generals) round 1, pick 27, 2021

Olausson still feels like he’s never fully settled into Oshawa as there are still stretches where he’s not getting on the stat sheet. The trade is still an odd one as Oshawa has really been a one-man show of Ty Tullio this year and Tullio just happens to play RW just like Olausson. Oshawa will make the OHL playoffs but aren’t a particularly strong team nor are they expected to go far so Olausson with have to work with what little he is given on that front.

NCAA:

Colby Ambrosio – C (Boston College) round 4, pick 118, 2020

Things have kind of ground down at the end of the year for Ambrosio with just one point in his last five games. BC is a sub-.500 team and unlikely to make any noise in the Hockey East tournament so his season is pretty much over. Next year will be the crucial one for Ambrosio.

Sean Behrens – D (Denver) round 2, pick 61, 2021

Behrens has now officially been listed as part of the ALL-NCHC rookie team as Denver heads into their conference tournament as the favorites. Behrens did not dress for DU’s final to games of the season but no reason was given and it does not appear to be anything that will keep him out of the playoffs. There’s a very real possibility the hype on Behrens may never be higher than it is right now.

Drew Helleson – D (Boston College) round 2, pick 47, 2019

Somehow Drew Helleson has become BC’s leading defensive scorer and while that won’t be the role he plays at the next level he has proven he has some puck skill in the bag. With BC headed for a quick exit expect a deal to get done pretty quickly for Helleson, after which he can go help the Eagles in the AHL and if you dream a little maybe even be a black ace for the Avs in a few months.

Nicky Leivermann – D (Notre Dame) round 7, pick 187, 2017

Leivermann’s college career has not ended just yet as ND managed to win their quarter-final matchup in the Big Ten tournament. His production is up enough to potentially pique some interest but he just doesn’t have the consistent nightly impact you want to see out of a senior at the college level.

Taylor Makar – C (UMASS) round 7, pick 220, 2021

With UMASS rolling into the Hockey East tournament Makar has once again been edged out of the lineup. Hopefully next season he can hold down a full-time spot.

Matt Stienburg – C (Cornell) round 3, pick 63, 2019

Stienburg leads Cornell into the ECAC tournament still over a point per game. As a number four seed, Cornell could potentially do some damage and it’s another opportunity to prove that what we’ve seen out of Stienburg this year is for real.

Tyler Weiss – C (University of Omaha Nebraska) round 4, pick 109, 2020

Where DU enters the NCHC tournament as one seed, UNO enters as a six. Weiss is likely to see his college career come to an end this weekend and then the mystery of what to do with him this offseason begins. I’ve said throughout the year some team will give him a look but he may have to wait until August to put pen to paper on a deal.

Russia:

Nikolai Kovalenko – RW (Ak Bars Kazan) round 6, pick 171, 2018

Kazan is on the brink of elimination in the first round of the playoffs as they trail 3 – 1 in their series against Avangard. Kovalenko has picked up one assist in the series, not terrible considering Kazan only has six goals in four games. More importantly, his role has been elevated playing nearly 18 minutes a night as things get desperate. While his season will likely be over when you are reading this it’s easy to see him in the NHL if he wants to make the jump.

Shamil Shmakov – G (Toros Neftekamsk) round 7, pick 202, 2018

Shmakov’s season has come to his close and his time as an Avs prospect is at an end too.

Daniil Zhuravlyov – D (Ak Bars Kazan) round 5, pick 146, 2018

After a disappointing season, the playoffs have not looked any better for Zhuravlyov he has been entirely invisible on the offensive side of the ice (to be fair most of the team has struggled in the playoffs) and the only positive stat you can pick out is a handful of blocks. Interest in potentially bringing him to North America has steadily been declining but hey with Russian prospects there is always next year.