3 Avalanche With The Most To Prove In 2023-24

The Colorado Avalanche got much better over the offseason and addressed their biggest concern in a big way. They helped themselves out down the middle and added depth scoring. They should be a dangerous team again this season and one that gets scoring help in the playoffs outside of their top players. The new additions have a lot to prove after how things ended with their previous teams.

Ryan Johansen

Ryan Johansen had a tough season in 2022-23 for the Nashville Predators and was moved this offseason to the Avalanche to fill their second line center needs at half price for nothing. This was a great recovery by the Avalanche, even if Johansen doesn't play at his best, which is a 60-plus point pace. He is a solid second line center, but dealt with injuries. Coming off a 26-goal, 63-point season in 2021-22, he recorded just 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games. The Avalanche have a high flying offense that should be able to help with production. He has two years left on his deal, so will need to prove he was worth being acquired by the Avalanche.

Jonathan Drouin

Jonathan Drouin is a long way from the third overall pick he was in 2013 coming into the NHL with a lot of promise. Injuries have definitely derailed his career, but the Avalanche were willing to give him a shot this season on the wing in their top-nine. After an 18-goal, 53 point season in 2018-19, he has only scored 17 goals in his past 163 games over four seasons. He and the team are hoping health doesn't come into play and impact his season as he is still capable of putting up points. He has also had some very bad luck with shooting percentages. If it returns to normal and he plays most of the season for the Avalanche, he can prove his worth in the league still.

Miles Wood

It was an unfortunate series of events for long-time New Jersey Devil Miles Wood as he was a solid third line player for the team for a number of years. He then missed nearly all of 2021-22 with a serious injury and came back to his spot taken. He was forced to play less and didn't do as well. Once becoming a free agent, the Avalanche locked him up long-term. His cap hit isn't huge, but he will have something to prove in a higher and more impactful role in Colorado.