2008 NHL Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche Have an Exciting Bunch of Prospects

Heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft the Colorado Avalanche were a little behind because of the transaction which saw Adam Foote return to the Avs. The deal caused the Avs to not be able to pick until 50^th overall, where they selected defensemen Cameron Gaunce. The offensive defensemen is coming off a season with Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League in which he posted 10 goals and 30 assists in 60 games. Gaunce earned himself a spot on the OHL's All-Rookie Team with a great season, but he isn't the only talent the Avs have who could be ready to step into an NHL role.

Selected 34^th overall in 2005, Ryan Stoa is a towering centerman who is known for his strength and scoring touch. Even though Stoa missed all but two games last season for the University of Minnesota due to a knee injury, he will captain the team this coming year as a senior. In his sophomore season, Stoa put up 12 goals and 12 assists for the Golden Gophers. The 6-foot-3 200 pound center is working towards the NHL and will be one of those players who will challenge for a spot in the next few seasons.

Chris Stewart was selected 18^th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and is coming off a nice rookie season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. Stewart posted an impressive 25 goals and 19 assists in 77 games and also found himself spending 93 minutes in the penalty box. This combination of size and skill shows that the 6-foot-1 228 pound winger could just be one of the more unique players available to the Avs. It's rare to find a players who has soft hands and the scoring touch, as well as the ability to play the physical side of the puck.

Colby Cohen and Kevin Shattenkirk were both selected in the 2007 Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche to provide their back end with some much needed support. Shattenkirk was selected 14^th overall and Cohen was selected in the second round of the same draft. Both defensemen are currently eating up minutes playing for Boston University. Shattenkirk is an offensive minded player who posted 21 points in 40 games for the Terriers last season. He sees the ice well and makes the all important break out pass, making him one of the Avs best prospects. Cohen also has potential, he had 3 goals and 13 assists and 34 penalty minutes at the college level last year as well. The Avs are hoping that playing and training together will motivate the pair to play better in the future. So far, the staff at Boston University has done a good job of managing the ice time between the pair.

Even though Billy Sauer was selected in the seventh round in 2006, he has backed the University of Michigan team from day one. This past season, as a Junior, Sauer went 30-4-2 with a 1.95 goals against average. He also is not afraid to handle the puck, which can be a great asset to an NHL goaltender in this day and age. Heading into his senior year at Michigan, Sauer will continue to see the majority of the action in goal. For the Avs, the more pucks he sees the better, it will only improve his game down the line.