2010-2011 Season Preview: Top Colorado Avalanche Prospects 1-5

In their glory years, the Avalanche featured a roster compiled of high draft picks that turned into stars (Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Adam Deadmarsh) as well as later round picks (Chris Drury, Milan Hejduk, Dan Hinote) that ended up providing one of the league's best supporting casts.

Based on the prospects Colorado holds the rights to, the future doesn't look so bright that fans should scurry to their local sunglasses shop, but it doesn't look too shabby, either.

There are definitely some question marks, and with Matt Duchene already in the NHL, Colorado doesn't have a surefire star prospect in the making. What they do have is a solid collection of players that will help support the team being built around Stastny and Duchene, with two or three guys that possess the skill to possibly be stars at their position if they pan out.

1. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk

Though he's likely to shed the "prospect" tag this season, Shattenkirk remains Colorado's top gem outside of the NHL. Since being drafted 14th overall in 2007, Shattenkirk's stock has only gone up after winning the National Championship with the Boston Terriers in 2009, and then captaining the squad as a junior in 2010.

NHL Potential: Top pairing defenseman.

NHL Comparable: Dan Boyle.

Shattenkirk's intelligence with the puck in the offensive zone is the strength of his game. His great passing ability and deceptive shot will allow him to help rejuvenate what has been a porous power play for the Avalanche in recent seasons.

Defensively, Shattenkirk is average, and can be prone to taking himself out of position by chasing the puck too much. It's this aspect of his game which will determine how quick he makes the jump to the NHL.

2. Defenseman Stefan Elliott

Elliott was expected to be a late first round draft pick in 2009, but he stuck around long enough for the Avalanche to nab him at 49th overall. In his only season since being drafted, Elliott had a career year with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, scoring 26 goals and 65 points in 72 games.

NHL Potential: Top pairing defenseman.

NHL Comparable: Mike Green.

That's not to say Elliott will score 70+ points when he gets to the NHL, but the players are comparable in their strengths and weaknesses. Like Green, who also played for Saskatoon, Elliott possesses elite offensive ability in the WHL. Possessing both a great shot and passing abilities, the Elliott is the Blades go-to guy in all offensive situations. However, like Green, Elliott's play in his own zone is shaky. He's good enough at even strength (plus 41 in 2010) to be given top minutes, but at the next level it's unlikely he'll be relied upon to kill penalties. 

3. Center Joey Hishon

Considered one of the biggest reaches of the decade, Colorado head scout Rick Pracey liked Hishon enough to take him 17th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, 38 spots higher than his rank by Central Scouting.

NHL Potential: Top six forward.

NHL Comparable: Chris Drury.

Coming off of an injury shortened season with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, and only standing 5'10" as a center suggests Hishon wasn't too sexy of a pick at 17th overall. Colorado selected him there for his ability to compete hard in all areas of the ice, and for the 37 goal, 81 point season he had in 2008-2009 that had early scouting reports ranking him as a top 10 pick.

Even in his 2010 season, shortened to 36 games due to ankle and leg injuries, Hishon had a solid year. He scored 40 points and finished a plus 10, highest on the team, despite playing for one of the OHL's worst teams which saw nine players finish with double digits in the minus category.

Logic says Hishon will return to the OHL and try to compete for the scoring title, but Hishon has the ability to compete for a roster spot now should management choose to go that route.

4. Goaltender Calvin Pickard

Despite playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds, one of the OHL's worst teams in 2010, Pickard stood out enough to be ranked first among North American goaltenders by Central Scouting for the 2010 draft.

NHL Potential: Journeyman starter.

NHL Comparable: Antero Niittymaki.

Pickard was a workhorse for Seattle in 2010, playing 62 games while facing a whopping 2,017 shots. His goals against average (3.09) was nothing to write home about, but top notch save percentage that accompanied it (.914) shows the quality of team that was playing in front of him.

Colorado will take their time developing Pickard in the OHL and AHL, as he's the first legitimate goaltending prospects they've had in nearly a decade.

5. Left Wing Ryan Stoa

The man Colorado took 10 spots before taking Paul Stastny in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft will finally be looking to make an impact with the Avalanche in 2011. In his first professional hockey season Stoa was solid, scoring 23 goals in 54 games with Lake Erie of the AHL. In the 11 cup of coffee games Stoa spent with the Avalanche, he managed two goals and an assist.

NHL Projection: Top six forward.

NHL Comparable: Dustin Penner.

Competition will be steep for Stoa heading into the 2011 season, but Stoa's size (6'3") and skill level compared to a relatively small forward group for Colorado give him an inside track at cracking the roster out of training camp. Stoa was shaky in his first few NHL games in 2010, but finished strong with two goals and 13 shots the final two games of the season.