Colorado Avalanche advanced Nathan MacKinnon won the Calder Trophy aftermost division as amateur of the year.(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)
2013-14 results: 52-22-8, aboriginal in Central
Story line: Avalanche accept affairs for a memorable encore
Arrivals: C Danny Briere (trade with Montreal Canadiens), D Brad Stuart (trade with San Jose Sharks), RW Jarome Iginla, C Jesse Winchester, D Zach Redmond (free agents)
Departures: LW P.A. Parenteau (traded to Canadiens); C Paul Stastny (signed with St. Louis Blues), C Brad Malone (signed with Carolina Hurricanes); G Jean-Sebastien Giguere (retired); D Cory Sarich
MORE: Aggregation ability rankings
Goaltending: Semyon Varlamov (41-14-6, 2.41, .927) is Colorado's best goalie back Patrick Roy was in net. He led the NHL in saves and got bluff back adverse 30 or shots. Reto Berra (9-18-3, 3.07, .893) will be an underworked backup.
Analysis: The Avalanche will get stronger as Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan O'Reilly advance daily. But the Avs academician assurance was advancing in the offseason, abacus players to advice the aggregation be bigger able for postseason competition. Iginla gives Colorado accession scorer and makes the aggregation grittier. His accession is agnate to the Avs' accretion of Raymond Bourque in 2000. Bourque, like Iginla, was attractive for his aboriginal Stanley Cup backward in his career. He won it the afterward season.
USATODAY
How the ability rankings panelists voted
Breakthrough candidate: Given that D Tyson Barrie denticulate 13 goals aftermost season, it's accessible to balloon he's 23. Playing with Colorado's accomplished advanced group, Barrie could account 50 points.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie active a two-year, $5.2 actor arrangement this summer.(Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)
Youngster to watch: Duncan Siemens, 21, a 2011 first-round pick, is a 6-4 physical, stay-at-home, shot-blocking defenseman who could get a attending if the Avalanche accept abrasion issues.
What the aggregation absolutely needs: D Erik Johnson to be as able as aftermost season. He led the mule aggregation as the Avalanche won the Central Division title.
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Chicago Blackhawks preview: Aboriginal in Central
Key question: What's MacKinnon's limit? Sidney Crosby territory? He could coquette with an 80-point division as a green and will get 100 credibility afore long.
Forecast: Colorado admirers should be a mile aerial about their team's potential. No acumen why it can't ability 112 credibility again.
Top abiding leaders
Goals: Ryan O'Reilly, 28
Assists: Matt Duchene, 47
Points: Duchene, 70
Plus-minus: Gabriel Landeskog, additional 21
Penalty minutes: Cody McLeod, 122
Shots: Nathan MacKinnon, 241
Projected Western Conference standings
| Playoff team | Division | Non-playoff team | Division |
| 1. Chicago | Central | 9. Vancouver | Pacific |
| 2. Anaheim | Pacific | 10. Nashville | Central |
| 3. St. Louis | Central | 11. Winnipeg | Central |
| 4. Los Angeles | Pacific | 12. Arizona | Pacific |
| 5. Colorado | Central | 13. Edmonton | Pacific |
| 6. San Jose | Pacific | 14. Calgary | Pacific |
| 7. Dallas | Central | | |
| 8. Minnesota | Central | | |
Kevin Allen grades teams' offseason moves
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Title : Colorado Avalanche preview: Third in Central
Description : Colorado Avalanche advanced Nathan MacKinnon won the Calder Trophy aftermost division as amateur of the year. (Photo: Stephen R. Sylva...