Rounding out regular season grades, let’s take a look at the forwards!
Rounding out this regular-season grades series, let’s take a look at the Colorado Avalanche forwards! Once again, we’ll be focusing on the forwards who played for the team after the trade deadline, and these forward articles will be divided into two parts, as there are numerous players to cover. That all being said, let’s jump right into it!
Ross Colton (GP: 61, G: 16, A: 13)
Colton’s season was a bit of a weird one, as it felt dry much up and down at times. He had an incredibly hot start to the regular season, as I’m sure everyone remembers, and stepped up big time when the Avs were missing some of their top-six players. After that, however, he seemed to cool off production-wise and missed some significant time due to injury, which is reflected in his playing only 61 games this season. All of that taken into consideration, I feel like this regular season is worthy of a C. It wasn’t truly bad by any means in my eyes, as Colton was still plenty effective and put up a good amount of points, but it also wasn’t a season that was anything more than fine.
Charlie Coyle (GP: 19, G: 2, A: 11)
Coyle is a bit tough to grade, as he was given limited time to acclimate to the team and system as a trade deadline acquisition. Looking at his 13 points in 19 games, that’s some fine production from your third-line center, albeit you probably want more than two goals from him. Coyle was also really strong defensively at points throughout his brief stint with the Avs during this past season, which helped make up for the underwhelming goal-scoring. I feel like Coyle’s 19 games with the Avs earned him a C+. His performance wasn’t horrific by any means, but you also want more from him for sure. It’s also a little tough to grade him because of how little time he had with the team. He’ll have more time to adjust and get used to the team this upcoming season.
Jonathan Drouin (GP: 43, G: 11, A: 26)
Once again, Drouin more than proved that he was a fit with this team during the regular season. I said it in a roundtable previously, but he’s one of the guys that I really hope they bring back during free agency, if they can find the cap room to do so, which is easier said than done. It’s clear that he likes playing in Colorado, and it’s evident that the Avs like having him here, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Drouin more than produced for the Avs when he was healthy and available, and for that, I’d give his regular-season performance a solid B. Had he played the entire season and produced like he did when he played, that would’ve earned him an A in my book; his availability was the only thing that really brought that grade down for me.
Jack Drury (GP: 33, G: 5, A: 4)
I thought Drury had a great season with Colorado and did exactly what he was brought here to do. The offensive numbers are underwhelming to say the least, but Drury was phenomenal on the defensive side of the puck all season, and more than made up for the lackluster offensive numbers. Drury’s regular season was a B+ performance for that reason. Hopefully, Drury can put up some more offensive numbers next season while keeping his defensive game up.
Parker Kelly (GP: 80, G: 8, A: 11)
I loved Kelly on this Colorado team this past season. He put up some decent numbers for the Avs as a fourth-liner and was strong defensively simultaneously as well, which is what you want and need from your fourth-liners. I thought he had a B+ worthy season. He put up some decent offensive numbers during the regular season and played his role well. He’s another player that I think can have another really good season next year who fits into this system and team well.
Joel Kiviranta (GP: 79, G: 16, A: 7)
Kiviranta is a player who just keeps finding ways to make a case for being re-signed. Last year, his playoff performance arguably earned him a contract for this past season, and his regular season performance might very well do the same. He had a career-best season in goals, and just kept making a case to be kept in the lineup night in and night out. He’s another guy that I would not mind bringing back if the Avs can find a way to do so, and his regular-season performance earned an A. Given where he slotted into the lineup and whatnot, I just don’t know how you can be insanely upset at the production that Kiviranta gave you this past season.
Artturi Lehkonen (GP: 69, G: 27, A: 18)
Lehkonen continues to prove himself as one of the most reliable players on this Colorado team year in and year out. Despite missing a good amount of time this regular season, Lehkonen was still able to put up a career-high in goals and continues to step up when called upon. There’s an argument to be had that he’s one of Colorado’s most important players because of that, and this season was no different on that front. I feel like giving Lehkonen anything less than an A+ would be criminal, the guy is just so good and so important to this Avs team.