Ready to contribute
Gavin Brindley, acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the June 27 trade of forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, will have a chance to earn a spot as a bottom-six forward. The 20-year-old had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 52 games with Cleveland of the American Hockey League last season, his first as a pro. He’s versatile enough to play center or wing, and Avalanche general manger Chris MacFarland said the staff has been impressed by what he called a “high-motor, tenacious player,” that has maintained that approach as he progressed through two seasons at the University of Michigan, one season in the AHL and now potentially a spot in the NHL.
Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats
Brock Nelson, F: The center had 13 points (six goals, seven assists), including three power-play points in 19 games after being acquired in a trade with the New York Islanders last season. He’s expected to remain on the second line, where he could bring exposure to talented wings in Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen and/or Landeskog. Nelson is a three-time 30-goal scorer during his 12 NHL seasons, and per NHL EDGE stats ranked among the forward leaders in total skating distance (259.89 miles; 97th percentile), midrange shots on goal (77; 93rd percentile) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (171; 91st percentile) last season. — Pete Jensen
Projected lineup
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Victor Olofsson — Jack Drury — Ross Colton
Zakhar Bardakov — Parker Kelly — Joel Kiviranta
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Brent Burns
Sam Malinski — Josh Manson
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood