NHL Odds: Offseason Update: Colorado Avalanche

Matt Duchene had a great rookie season for Colorado. (AP Images)

The Colorado Avalanche have just 40/1 Bodog NHL odds to win the Stanley Cup this season, but that doesn’t mean this won’t be an important year for the Avs. Colorado snagged the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot last year and, with a young roster, they’re building toward a brighter future. This is your Avalanche offseason update.

After last year’s surprisingly solid campaign, Colorado didn’t make too many big changes in the offseason. Instead, the team chose to stick with a great young corps. That starts up front, where five of the team’s top six forwards are 25 years old or younger. Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene have Colorado set at center on the top two lines for the next decade; Stastny led the team with 79 points last season, while Duchene scored 24 goals and 55 points as a rookie.

The Avalanche also have young guns Chris Stewart (23 years old, 64 points last year) and TJ Galiardi (22 years old, 39 points last year as a rookie). Both are pretty high draft picks and, even if they don’t become superstars, they’ll make great role players along with Stastny and Duchene.

The biggest lingering question is Peter Mueller. The restricted free agent was a monster after being shipped to Colorado last year. Mueller underwhelmed in his last season and a half with Phoenix, but the 22-year-old playmaker racked up 20 points in just 15 games with the Avs.

Colorado was middle of the pack in goals allowed last year, but there’s some young talent on the blue line. Another year of seasoning will do this unit some good; there are also several prospects waiting in the wings to crack the roster.

The Avalanche aren't there yet but, in some ways, this team is reminiscent of the Blackhawks three or four years ago. The foundation is nearly complete and, if the role players blossom, this could be a Cup contender in the not too distant future.

Bet on Avalanche futures at Bodog