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Stunning new report reveals what's next for the Avalanche's future stars
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The Colorado Avalanche have been the NHL's most dominant team this season, but that success isn't guaranteed to last. That's why key prospects like Louka Cloutier, Francesco Dell'Elce, Troy Pitner, and Nolan Roed must continue progressing in their NCAA development.
They likely won't be members of the Avalanche for a while, but a good check up on their performance is still needed.
Are the Avalanche developing their prospects the right way?
Frank Zawarzky of the Hockey News wrote a report on a handful of Avalanche prospects currently playing in the NCAA.
The NCAA has increasingly become a pipeline for NHL-caliber talent, and it begins with Boston College goaltender Louka Cloutier.
"I had my doubts about Cloutier initially last season with the Chicago Steel. Cloutier was under siege due to a lack of defensive depth and, as a result, didn't put up the best numbers. However, his performance with Boston College has proven that 2024-25 was just a down year. Through 11 games, Cloutier has posted a 7-3-1 record, 2 shutouts, a 9.14 save percentage, and 2.11 goals allowed average. With the departure of Jacob Fowler, the Eagles were looking for their new number one in net, and they appear to have found it." -Zawarzky
Both Dell'Elce and Pitner are dependable defensemen. Dell'Elce comes from UMass Amherst, the same program that produced Cale Makar, while Pitner has transitioned to Denver after a strong season with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms.
Each brings the ability to initiate and drive the play up ice, contribute offensively, and maintain a reliable, hard-to-play-against defensive game.
Next is Roed, Colorado's seventh-round pick in 2025, who, despite being selected late, has the potential to become a hidden gem for the Avalanche.
"Roed can turn on the jets at a moment's notice, weaving in and out of traffic towards the net before scoring. He led the USHL with seven shorthanded goals last season, applying his trade on both the power play and penalty kill. I spoke with one college hockey broadcaster from Hockey East who said Roed's speed was very noticeable. If Roed is turning heads as a freshman, imagine what he can do with a few years of development." -Zarwarzky
These players are still a long way from being NHL-ready, but it's encouraging to see their development trending in the right direction.
While the Avalanche are often ranked as having one of the league's weakest prospect pools, you never know when a few prospects might exceed expectations and grow into dependable NHL regulars.
Previously on Colorado Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 30 | 20 ANSWERS Stunning new report reveals what's next for the Avalanche's future stars Will one of these prospects crack the Colorado Avalanche roster within 5 years? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 80 % |
| No | 4 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||
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