We are in the depths of the offseason, and the Colorado Avalanche seem to be done building up their roster for the season. The opening night roster will not look much different from the roster in their last game of the playoffs. Most of the changes of come in their depth in the bottom-six. The Avalanche traded away or moved on from half of their bottom-six. But will the bottom half of the lineup be able to bring the same chemistry as last year?

The Avalanche lacked the grit and hitting power that many teams have to finish a playoff series. Over the last few weeks, Colorado has worked to fill that gap with players like Jaden Schwartz and Zachary L’Heureux. Schwartz can move the puck well and win faceoffs when the team needs them. His 15 years of experience will be invaluable to the young players in the bottom half of the lineup. L’Heureux will bring another physical presence that players like Joel Kiviranta just couldn’t. Fans are waiting to see if he can translate his almost point per game in the AHL to the NHL, and this could be his chance.

The trading away of Valeri Nichushkin may do two things for the Avalanche: decrease the forecheck and give Nazem Kadri more time on the second-line. Nichushkin was relentless on the forecheck, but if Kadri has more chances to score, it may pay off. Last season, Kadri was relegated to the third-line because that was the highest line the Avs could put him on. Having Kadri on the second line will also give the option for Brock Nelson or Kadri or Gabriel Landeskog to take the faceoffs.

Fedor Svechkov could provide an offensive punch to the fourth-line that has not been there for a while. Svechkov’s ability to find open ice could make him a genuine threat during changes.

Projected lines

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Nazem Kadri – Brock Nelson – Gabriel Landeskog
Jaden Schwartz – Nicolas Roy – Logan O’Connor
Parker Kelly – Fedor Svechkov – Zachary L’Heureux

Cale Makar – Devon Toews
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Josh Manson – Brent Burns

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Press box

Taylor Makar – TJ Hughes – Vinnie Hinostroza

Alex Gagne – Christian Wolanin

Trent Miner

Defensively, the Avalanche are returning with all the same starting defensemen from last season. Brent Burns will take one last shot at the Stanley Cup on a one-year deal, while Brett Kulak signed a five-year extension. Expect Mackenzie Blackwood to take the crease at the start of the season with Scott Wedgewood as the backup. I suspect that Trent Miner will get some opportunities this season after a remarkable performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The roster may look the same on the top half, but from the bottom down, they are a completely different team. The Avs are going to be a slightly grittier team, and the talent potential will be there. Now, all the new guys will have to just four preseason games (not six), to get the system and start the battle for the Stanley Cup.