The Winter Olympics are getting closer to their end and the Colorado Avalanche have made an impact on the teams that reached the semifinals. While a handful of players continue to focus on a gold medal, Avalanche management is focused on the long term ahead of the NHL playoffs.
The Avalanche continues to be associated with several names, usually related to its depth up front. That said, there is still one pressing issue that management needs to work on ahead of the playoffs: defensive depth.
The defensive depth is precarious
The Avalanche have been largely fortunate when it comes to their injury situation. They’ve had some rough patches, but the defense has been healthy for the most part. It’s part of the reason it’s considered one of the best defensive corps in the league.
In the regular season, Ilya Solovyov, Jack Ahcan and Keaton Middleton are great options for a few games, especially considering the Avalanche’s position in the standings. However, things change when the playoffs start.
One injury may be manageable, but is it a good idea to shorten the crate and put so much more strain on your horses (like Cale Makar) when the situation could otherwise have been avoided? The margin for error is already small in the play-offs, why make the situation much more difficult?
A poorly timed injury can wreak havoc
Injuries have already been a substantial factor in the Avalanche’s season. The Avalanche are lucky Gabriel Landesog was cleared to play for Sweden, and his impact on the line-up was palpable when he couldn’t play.
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Compared to last season, the Avalanche have been lucky when it comes to injuries. In fact, it looks like they’ll get back an excellent bottom six in the middle Logan O’Connor returns after the Olympic break. That said, the defense is thin enough that it could be difficult in the playoffs.
This was evident before halftime from an injury to Devon Toews. Granted, he’s one of the team’s best defenders, but the impact was significant. An injury to Josh Manson, Brent Burns or Sam Girard could be just as bad. Can the Avalanche trust Solovyov, Middleton or Ahcan in a tough playoff game?
Affordable options available
The Avalanche could add a depth option without having to upset the apple cart. A mid-round pick could likely be enough to land Logan Stanley from the Winnipeg Jets. Luke Schenn could also be available. It might be a bit much to go after Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, but that could be another possible option.
The Avalanche don’t need to be in play for a superstar this season. They have the depth across the lineup to make a run for the franchise’s fourth championship. With a few small moves, they could protect themselves from injury and focus all their attention on the prize.
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