Colorado Avalanche fantasy projections for 2023-24

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has projections for relevant players on the Colorado Avalanche. Players are listed in order of fantasy rank for this season. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice" podcast.

Nathan MacKinnon, C

NHL.com fantasy rank: 4

Reason for optimism: MacKinnon ranked third in the NHL in points per game (1.56; career-high 111 in 71 games) last season, led the League in even-strength points (77) and was second in shots on goal (366) behind David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins (407).

NHL.com point projection: 115

Mikko Rantanen, C/RW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 8

Reason for optimism: Rantanen, who frequently plays on the top line and first power play with MacKinnon, ranked third in the NHL in goals (55) last season and was second in even-strength goals (42) behind Pastrnak (43). Rantanen is tied for fourth in the NHL in points (263 in 209 games since 2020-21) over the past three seasons combined.

NHL.com point projection: 109

Cale Makar, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 16

Reason for optimism: Makar ranked second among NHL defensemen in points per game (1.10; 66 in 60 games) last season behind Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks (1.23, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday), and was also a close second in goals per game (0.28) at the position behind Karlsson (0.30). Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Avalanche won the championship and is the only active NHL defenseman with more than a point per game in his career (246 in 238 games).

NHL.com point projection: 82

Alexandar Georgiev, G

NHL.com fantasy rank: 37

Reason for optimism: Georgiev is coming off a full-fledged breakout season; he was tied with Linus Ullmark of the Bruins for the NHL lead in wins (40) and tied for second in shutouts (five) behind Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders (six). Georgiev was also third in the NHL in starts (62) and tied for third in even-strength save percentage (.929; minimum 40 games).

NHL.com win projection: 37

Devon Toews, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 108

Reason for optimism: Toews ranks 15th among NHL defensemen in points (107 in 146 games) over the past two seasons combined, is tied with Makar, his defense pair, for third in even-strength points at the position and has the best plus/minus (plus-91) in the League over that span.

NHL.com point projection: 60

Other COL players to consider in fantasy: Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW; Bowen Byram, D; Artturi Lehkonen, LW/RW; Samuel Girard, D; Ryan Johansen, C; Jonathan Drouin, LW