Avalanche Prospect Portfolio: Strange times

Normally in late November, all Avalanche prospects are months into their season but in these strange times they are all over the map, both figuratively and literally with players across the world all trying to get development in however they can. At this point, the majority of the Avs prospects have returned to action and it’s time to see how they are developing.

Europe:

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

The newest European in the Avs fold, Aman was picked in the late rounds of this year’s draft. As a bigger body that tore up the Swedish junior league last year there was some hope in taking him as an overager in this year’s draft. So far with Leksands, he has been in more of a bottom-six grinding center role and his production has been a bit underwhelming. This is a late-round flyer with minimal expectations but worth keeping an eye on.

Justus Annunen – G (Oulun Kärpät) round 3, pick 64, 2018

After dealing with a preseason injury, Annunen is in his second full year in the Liiga and at this point has locked up the starter job for Kärpät. Even with mediocre numbers, they are significantly better than his competition on the team. As the season progresses you would like to see him continue to trend these numbers in the right direction and show more high-end consistency but even now when you look at his record he is getting the job done and winning games.

Martin Kaut – LW (MODO) round 1, pick 16, 2018

Kaut originally started playing hockey again back home in the Czech league but after a handful of games they went back on lockdown and Kaut ultimately moved to the Allsvenskan in Sweden where he has been highly effective for MODO. In recent weeks Kaut has missed a bit of time due to a non-COVID illness. One of the few AHL prospects in the Avs system to seek out a way to play hockey, Kaut continues to establish himself and a full-time NHL job seems inevitable at some point this season.

Adam Werner – G (Vita Hasten) round 5, pick 131, 2016

Werner had the opportunity to play in the Allsvenskan on a COVID loan as well. While the numbers are a bit rough he talked about his primary focus being off the ice and getting conditioned for the upcoming season in North America. Interestingly, unlike Kaut, the Avs have recalled him from his European loan and want him ready to travel to North America for whenever an NHL training camp may start.

Junior A:

With leagues either starting up late or not at all, a few players have taken to Junior A leagues to get in games while maintaining eligibility.

Sasha Mutala – RW (Grand Prairie Storm) round 5, pick 140, 2019

With the WHL not starting until the next calendar year, Mutala joined the AJHL to play some hockey. In preseason he looked dominant in that league and picked up a point in the opening game of the season. Then Alberta shutdown and the AJHL hasn’t played a game since November 20th. In Mutala’s case, this isn’t a huge deal as he has very likely already earned an ELC based on last year’s performance but hopefully he can find a place to play.

Matthew Stienburg – C (West Kelowna Warriors) round 3, pick 63, 2019

With the majority of the Ivy League schools canceling their seasons entirely, Stienburg played all of preseason with the West Kelowna Warriors. Before he could get to games the counted suffered a leg injury blocking a shot and is now expected to be out until the new year. For someone who is expected to have a long development path, this whole situation is making things even tougher for Stienburg.

KHL:

Nikolai Kovalenko – RW (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl) round 6, pick 171, 2018

After a bout with COVID at the beginning of the KHL season, Kovalenko has once again settled into his third-line role with Lokomotiv. His game is pretty well-established at this point and it’s mostly just a waiting game for his KHL contract to expire and then we see where this goes for the Avs when it comes to signing him and bringing him to North America.

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

Not a whole lot to this one but Shamil Shmakov still exists. He has gone back to Russia and is playing in their second-tier league the VHL and putting up good numbers in a defensive league. After not playing at all last year, anything from him is positive.

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

Another player dealing with a preseason injury, availability is starting to become a bit of a concern for Zhuravlyov. However, on the ice there has been a little bit of a return to the offensive flair that got him drafted in the first place. The Ak Bars lead the KHL’s eastern conference and play a quite offensively minded game. After a few years of defensive focus Zhuravlyov may finally be getting back into his element

NCAA:

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

It’s too early to make any real judgments but the Avs may just have a steal here. At the very least it certainly seems like Ambrosio will have no trouble with the transition from the USHL to the NCAA. His intelligence looks to have no issues keeping up with his fantastic skating and with BC’s offensive dynamo in Alex Newhook gone for WJC camp Ambrosio dropped in and was immediately impactful in their offense.

Nate Clurman – D (Notre Dame) round 6, pick 161, 2016

After being named captain over the offseason, Clurman has taken on an expanded role for the Irish this season and even managed to notch his first career NCAA goal as an upperclassman. With an incredibly long development path, it is interesting to see how he comes along in the NCAA on what is frankly a weak Notre Dame team.

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

Starting his second year pro Helleson immediately got involved in the offense in a couple of high-scoring affairs. This is a great start for someone who was mostly invisible offensively in his freshman year and is hopefully a trend he can continue. He has already earned a ton of trust defensively and rounding out his offense on one of the highest octane teams in the NCAA would be ideal.

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

Despite having just one goal I think Leivermann has looked the best of the Avs’ Notre Dame prospects. As an upperclassman, Notre Dame has defaulted to giving him some real opportunity and he has jumped at the chance. Realistically there is still a long way to go to earn any type of contract for the Avs but progress is progress and Leivermann has shown a good bit of that to start this season.

Sampo Ranta – LW (Minnesota) round 3, pick 78, 2018

A couple of points in his first four games as a Junior for Ranta is solid and his physical gifts are always on display but many are hoping for a significant step from him this year. He needs to find consistent production across the course of the season to really push himself towards a prospect to be taken seriously at the next level.

Ryder Rolston – W (Notre Dame) round 5, pick 139, 2020

Meet the new Cam Morrison. Admittedly less hyped and a significantly better skater, Rolston takes on the role of Avs forward prospect at Notre Dame. There is a lot to like about the kid but he hasn’t had the immediate impact that someone like the pick before him in Ambrosio has had for BC. The debate about Notre Dame and prospect development continues for the Avs.

QMJHL:

Justin Barron – D (Halifax Mooseheads) round 1, pick 26, 2020

The newest high-end defensive prospect in the Avs fold has been crushing it since returning from offseason surgery. In a do-everything role for Halifax, he has been effective on both ends of the ice and earned himself a WJC camp invite for team Canada. He may be on the outside looking in but there is a decent chance he makes the team which would be great for everyone involved.

Alex Beaucage – RW (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) round 3, pick 78, 2019

Nothing we didn’t already know here but Beaucage continues to dominate the QMJHL, scoring seemingly at will. The Q has had a bit of an up and down season having to postpone some games for two weeks but they are playing. There isn’t much to say here; Beaucage is already completely deserving of an ELC and will continue to develop his game.

WJC:

Bowen Byram – D (Vancouver Giants) round 1, pick 4, 2019

Alex Newhook – C (Boston College) round 1, pick 16, 2019

After crossing back into Canada and quarantining, Newhook was finally cleared to join the Canada selection camp only for it to pause due to a COVID outbreak. Newhook should be a no-doubt lock for the roster and it’s just a matter of getting to the WJCs at this point.