2010-2011 Season Preview: Top Colorado Avalanche Prospects 6-10

Defense, defense, defense. With aging vets on their blue line the past few seasons, the Avalanche have drafted defensemen aggressively, and it's paid off.

Colorado boasts one of the deepest defensive prospect pools in the league, with numerous players one or two years away from making impacts in the NHL. They're just in time, too, as Colorado featured one of the worst defenses in the entire NHL last season.

6. Defenseman Cameron Gaunce

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OTTAWA, ON - JUNE 21: 50th overall pick, Cameron Gaunce of the Colorado Avalanche poses for a portrait at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft at Scotiabank Place on June 21, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)

Selected 50th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Avalanche, Cameron Gaunce is another defenseman who has a shot at making the club out of training camp. Signed to an entry level contract last offseason, the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors captain has been one of the OHL's top defensemen the past two seasons, finishing +28 and +29, respectively.

NHL Potential: Top four defenseman.

NHL Comparable: Mark Giordano.

Unlike Shattenkirk and Elliot, who are known primarily for their offensive abilities, Gaunce is known more for his defensive abilities. He's been more than capable offensively in the OHL—64 points in 2008-2009—but in the NHL it's unlikely he'll be cast in an offensive role.

At 6'1", 200 pounds, Gaunce isn't the biggest defenseman in the world, but isn't afraid to get in the oppositions face, as evidenced by his 222 penalty minutes the past two seasons.

7. Defenseman Colby Cohen

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WASHINGTON - APRIL 11: Justin Mercier #16 of the Miami Red Hawks takes a shot as he is shoved by Colby Cohen #25 of the Boston Terriers during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four Championship game on April 11, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo

Standing 6'3", 215 pounds, Cohen is the biggest in a relatively small group of Avalanche defensive prospects. By no coincidence, he's also one of the most physical, racking up 82 penalty minutes in only 36 games with Boston University in 2010.

Like Shattenkirk, regularly his defensive partner at BU, Cohen is also known for his offensive abilities. In 2010, he finished second on BU with 14 goals, and led all defensemen with 30 points.

NHL Potential: Top four defenseman.

NHL Comparable: Pavel Kubina.

Big hit abilities and booming slap shot set Cohen apart from other Avalanche defensive prospects, but inconsistency in the defensive zone may be the difference between playing in the NHL and playing in the AHL next season.

Cohen signed a contract the same day as Shattenkirk, and will get a look in camp, but likely his skills will be refined by playing the majority of next season in the AHL.

8. Defenseman Jonas Holos

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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 18: Dustin Brown (#32) of the United States battles Jonas Holos of Norway during the ice hockey men's preliminary game between USA and Norway on day 7 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 18, 2010 in Van

Another defenseman recently signed to a contract by the Avalanche, Holos has the most sleeper value of any Avalanche prospect. Colorado used a late pick on him, 170th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and since then has established himself as a solid defenseman with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League. Holos also represented Norway in the 2010 Winter Olympics, leading the team in ice time.

NHL Potential: Top four defenseman.

NHL Comparable: Marek Zidlicky.

Holos is a bit of an enigma in that he's above average defensively, yet has the build of an offensive defenseman, measuring in at 5'11". His skating is also a plus, as he's got above average speed, and when you watch him play seems to possess alot of offensive talent.

However, Holos was only able to register a single goal and 13 assists in 51 games last season, so it's likely he'll only chip in at an NHL level. Another dark horse to make the Avalanche out of camp, Holos's experience playing two years in a professional league, not to mention the Olympics, will give him an edge even over Shattenkirk.

If not, he'll start the season with Lake Erie of the AHL, and get a taste with the big club as the season wears on and management continues to weed out Colorado's veteran defensemen.

9. Defenseman Tyson Barrie

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LONDON,ON - JANUARY 3: Tyson Barrie #4 of team Pacific tries to control the puck in a game against Team USA on January 3, 2008 at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. Team USA defeated Team Pacific 3-2 and earned a spot in the gold medal game again

Only a year after being drafted in the third round by Colorado, Tyson Barrie has seen his stock soar after a 19 goal, 72 point season earned him the honor of being named top defenseman in the WHL.

NHL Potential: Top four defenseman.

NHL Comparable: John-Michael Liles.

Barrie is another in a long line of quality defenseman recently drafted by Colorado. Like most of them, Barrie's niche has been as an offensive defenseman, as he's scored 124 points in his last two seasons for the Kelwona Rockets of the WHL. With all of the talented defensive prospects ahead of him in the pecking order, it's likely Barrie will stay in the WHL and develop his game with the hopes of becoming a future NHL power play quarterback.

10. Left Wing Michael Bournival

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WINDSOR, ON - JANUARY 20: Michael Bournival #78 of Team Orr skates with the puck during the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game against Team Cherry on January 20, 2010 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario. Team Cherry defeated Team Orr 4-2. (Photo

Only the third forward to make the top 10 list, Bournival rounds out what is a shallow collection of forward prospects. Unlike Hishon and Stoa, Bournival is a high energy checking line player, who despite putting up respectable junior numbers, likely won't have much offensive impact at an NHL level. But his work ethic and strength (did the most push-ups at the NHL combine) will almost certainly be the path to an NHL career in the not too distant future. For now, Bournival will spend another year with Shawinigan of the QMJHL.

NHL Potential: Top nine forward.

NHL Comparable: Eric Nystrom.