The two previous lineup scenarios had the Colorado Avalanche either keeping things as close as possible to last season’s configuration or loading up down the middle.
Another path Jared Bednar could take is stacking his top six with his best forwards. It’s actually the same approach he turned to in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights after Valeri Nichushkin was ruled out with an injury.
Here’s what that lineup could look like.
Scenario 3: Stacking the Top Six Attack
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Nazem Kadri – Brock Nelson — Gabriel Landeskog
Jaden Schwartz — Nicolas Roy — Gavin Brindley
Parker Kelly — Fedor Svechkov — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Noah Juulsen
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
This version still keeps Gavin Brindley in the lineup, although, like the previous scenarios, he remains interchangeable with Zachary L’Heureux, T.J. Hughes, Fabian Lysell, or any of the other young forwards competing for roster spots.
The biggest change comes down the middle. For the first time in this series, Kadri shifts from third-line center to the wing alongside Brock Nelson and Gabe Landeskog. Roy slides into the 3C role, while Svechkov centers the fourth line.
Even that isn’t set in stone. If Svechkov isn’t ready, Kelly has plenty of experience at center, allowing L’Heureux or another young winger to slide into the lineup. Bednar has gone down that road before.
I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Kadri looked on the wing in the limited time he played there last season. He made it clear that center is his preferred position, but his versatility gives Bednar another option. Whether it’s alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas or with Nelson and Landeskog, Kadri has shown he can make an impact in either spot.
That’s also true of Roy and Kelly. Having three forwards capable of playing both center and wing gives the Avalanche a level of flexibility few teams can match.
I’d also expect to see Nelson spend more time on the wing this season. Last year, with Jack Drury and Zakhar Bardakov behind him, Bednar didn’t have the same flexibility. With Kadri and Roy in the mix for a full season, Nelson becomes another player Bednar can move around when looking to spark the offense, much like he did with Nelson last year, playing him alongside MacKinnon and Necas late in games.
Why It Works
Replacing Nichushkin won’t be easy. Even if moving on was the right decision, his absence leaves a significant hole in the top six.
Among the available options, Kadri is probably the cleanest fit. He already has chemistry with nearly every forward in the top six and has the skill set to complement whichever line Bednar chooses.
I’d still like to see Schwartz earn opportunities higher in the lineup, and I’d also like to see the younger forwards get legitimate chances. But if the priority is putting the most proven talent together, Kadri is the obvious choice. He can reunite with MacKinnon and Necas, play alongside Nelson and Landeskog, or even center that second line if Bednar wants to keep him in the middle.
Biggest Questions
Is Nic Roy capable of handling 3C duties full-time? Roy has all the tools to center a strong third line on a Stanley Cup contender. The bigger question is whether that line loses some of its identity without Kadri driving it. Can a trio like Roy, Brindley, and Schwartz generate enough offense while still matching up against quality competition?
Is the top six too old? This alignment doesn’t solve the age issue. Replacing Nichushkin with Schwartz already pushes the group in the wrong direction, and moving Kadri into the top six only raises the average age further. Will that matter over the grind of an 84-game season? Maybe not, but it’s a fair question.
Will you get the best version of Kadri on the wing? The Avalanche brought Kadri back because they know exactly what kind of player he is. His versatility is valuable, but is moving him away from center the best way to maximize his game over a full season?
Coming Next
The next scenario explores an area where Bednar has often been hesitant in recent years: Giving the kids a real opportunity.