The Colorado Avalanche are often knocked for a thin prospect pool, but several young players have turned heads this season, especially Christian Humphreys, Francesco Dell'Elce, and Max Curran.
They're beginning to flip the narrative around Colorado's prospect pool, and it starts with Humphreys.
"The move to the OHL continues to prove the right call for the 19-year-old forward. Christian Humphries leads in production for all Avalanche organizational prospects as well as his OHL team the Kitchener Rangers. His current 39 points in 32 games tops the 33 points he was able to produce last year in his midseason move to the junior ranks. The right shot center plays in the top six and hopes to be part of a long playoff run for Kitchener." -Kay
Dell'Elce has already been a frequent topic at Colorado Hockey Daily. The standout UMass defenseman leads his blue line with 13 points in 18 games and is on pace to surpass last season's 24-point total.
Then there's Max Curran, Colorado's lone prospect competing at the World Juniors with Czechia.
"With his new squad the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL, the left shot forward has put up 35 points in 28 games, which is good for third on the team. This season Curran has focused more on goal scoring and has tallied 11 thus far playing in the top six, and he is on pace to top his career high of 22 in a season. As likely his last season in junior, Curran needs to impress the Avalanche organization enough to get offered an Entry Level Contract in the spring." -Kay
Given how well they've performed this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see them wearing Avalanche jerseys in the coming years.