Colorado Avalanche fantasy preview for 2020-21

As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Colorado Avalanche. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

Nathan MacKinnon, C (NHL.com rank: 1) -- The Colorado Avalanche center is the top-ranked skater after scoring 93 points (35 goals, 58 assists) in 69 games last season and 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 15 postseason games. MacKinnon led the NHL with 318 shots on goal, was fourth in power-play points (31), and tied for sixth in power-play goals (12). MacKinnon should be selected with the first pick in standard 12-team leagues based on his consistency and the likelihood of Colorado being among the best teams in the NHL.
Avalanche 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects | Behind the Numbers]
Mikko Rantanen, RW(15) -- The right wing missed 27 games with injuries last season but scored 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 42 regular-season games and 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 15 postseason games. His exposure to MacKinnon is worth a top-15 selection alone, but Rantanen has been among the best right wings in fantasy, averaging 1.08 points per game since 2017-18, fourth at the position behind Nikita Kucherov (1.36) of the Tampa Bay Lightning, David Pastrnak (1.17) of the Boston Bruins and Patrick Kane (1.16) of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Cale Makar, D (26) -- The defenseman had a successful rookie season with 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 57 regular-season games and scored 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 15 postseason games. Makar's offensive ceiling could be even higher if the Avalanche forward group stays healthy for a full season. Fantasy owners should target him among the top 30 overall in standard leagues with the expectation he will be among the three most valuable defensemen in fantasy.

Gabriel Landeskog, LW (32) -- The left wing scored 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists) in 54 regular-season games and 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 14 postseason games. Landeskog, a potential 2021 unrestricted free agent, is among the best category-coverage skaters with 145 shots on goal, 15 power-play points and 86 hits, impressive considering he missed 16 games with a lower-body injury.
Philipp Grubauer, G (54) -- He is expected to be Colorado's No. 1 goalie after going 18-12-4 with a .916 save percentage and two shutouts last season. Grubauer, also a potential 2021 UFA, was 5-1 with a 1.87 GAA, .922 save percentage and one shutout in the postseason and should be targeted around the top 50 overall.
Nazem Kadri, C (73) -- The center had a solid first season with the Avalanche, scoring 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 51 regular-season games and 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 15 postseason games. Kadri led the Avalanche with six power-play goals in the postseason and could finish among the top 50 in fantasy if his production carries over.
Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW(83) -- The forward had a breakout season, scoring 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 58 regular-season games and 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 15 postseason games. Burakovsky occasionally skated with MacKinnon on the top line but will remain valuable this season on a line with either MacKinnon or Kadri. Burakovsky is one of the safer draft selections in the 75-100 range.
Pavel Francouz, G (121) -- He was 21-7-4 with a .923 save percentage and one shutout in 34 regular-season games but had a shaky postseason, going 2-4 in six games. However, Francouz remains a valuable selection as a No. 2 or 3 goalie in fantasy with the expectation he will have similar or better numbers than his regular-season performance.
Other players to consider in late rounds or off waiver wire: Brandon Saad, LW/RW (185); Samuel Girard, D (199); Devon Toews, D (216); Ryan Graves, D (243)
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