Stat Hockey’s Colorado Avalanche 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Colorado Avalanche 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Jonathan Drouin – Ryan Johansen – Valeri Nichushkin

Miles Wood – Ross Colton – Logan O’Connor

Andrew Cogliano – Jean-Luc Foudy – Ben Meyers

S- Joel Kiviranta, Fredrik Olofsson

D

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Sam Girard – Bowen Byram

Lack Johnson – Josh Manson

S- Kurtis MacDermid

G

Alexandar Georgiev

Pavel Francouz

Notable injuries to start season: Gabriel Landeskog (knee)

Forwards

As long as they stay healthy, the top line of the Avalanche should remain intact. This is a good sign since they will be doing most of the heavy lifting with two of the best players in the world on that line. MacKinnon is a 100-point player and regularly in the conversation for the Hart Trophy, but he hasn’t played more than 71 games since 2018-19. Rantanen is also a legitimate scorer and had himself in the Hart conversation too last season with 55 goals and 105 points. Their winger might chance sometimes, but Lehkonen should have it for most of the season. He’s been great since coming over to Colorado. If the team wants to spread the wealth, Drouin could be moved up. Nichushkin is also an option as he plays both wings as well.

I’ve just mentioned the two second line wingers, Drouin and Nichushkin. Drouin is on the comeback after things in Montreal went bad a few years ago. He has a great opportunity in Colorado and might surprise. Nichushkin will likely be the top contributor on the second line with his capabilities and style of play. Johansen also joins the Avalanche for his first season. He won’t have the pressure of being a top line center, unless there’s an injury. And if so, he has more help than in Nashville. He too should have a larger impact and a strong season.

The third line is pretty cut and dry. Wood, Colton, and O’Connor all feel like perfect third liners. The Avalanche did a great job reworking their bottom-six that starts with this group. They will be able to provide the scoring that the team was missing last season.

The fourth line is very interchangeable, but there are limited options. Cogliano will be a mainstay, and I believe the same for Meyers. But there can be a debate as to who the other players should be and even who makes the team. I’m counting on Foudy to earn his chance after a nine game trial. This could move Meyers over to the wing, or start Foudy on the wing to make it easier on him. Cogliano is the calming presence on what will hold younger players.

Defense

The biggest thing for this defense is staying healthy. If they do, they are one of the best in the league. The top pairing of Toews and Makar will without a doubt stay intact as they’ve proven to be arguably the best duo in the league. They can both provide offense and their defense shouldn’t be questioned.

The Avalanche have three more top-four defensemen, which will cause one to be moved down a pairing. This doesn’t come into play as much as you’d think because of the injuries. Both Girard and Byram were consistent top-four defensemen last season and can play both sides. I think this is where things start at least. This will keep a little more skill in the top-four. Manson is just a pairing down and the only righty in the bottom-four.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 Line Projections

Speaking of Manson, he might be healthy this season. He will be paired with Johnson to form a very big third pairing. I think this will do them well. He won’t lose a ton of ice time because of his impact defensively and starting in his own end. There’s MacDermid or Brad Hunt to pick up the slack when a player comes out due to injury.

Goaltending

Georgiev proved a lot by coming out of a backup role and dominating last season. Some doubted his ability, but he was one of the best goalies in the league. That should remain unchanged and he could potentially even have a better season. There won’t be much worry about him. Backing him up again is Francouz. He is injury prone, but didn’t miss a ton of time last season. He’s a very capable backup and great for the team when he’s in the lineup.