Top prospects for Colorado Avalanche

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Colorado Avalanche, according to NHL.com.

1. Justus Annunen, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 64 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Colorado (NHL): 2 GP, 1-1-0, 3.58 GAA, .854 save percentage; Colorado (AHL): 41 GP, 22-10-8, 2.55 GAA, .916 save percentage

Annunen (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) again shouldered the bulk of the workload for Colorado's American Hockey League affiliate last season, playing 41 of 72 games. The 23-year-old will be the No. 1 in the AHL again after signing a one-year contract July 2.

It will be a make-or-break season for the goalie, who will need to show his readiness with Avalanche backup Pavel Francouz entering the final season of a two-year contract.

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

2. Sam Malinski, D

How acquired: Signed as free agent on March 30

2022-23 season: Colorado (AHL): 7 GP, 3-2-5; Cornell University (NCAA): 34 GP, 8-18-26

The 25-year-old got a taste of AHL action in 2022-23, playing seven regular-season games and seven Calder Cup Playoff games. Malinski (5-11, 190) scored his first AHL goal in his first game and had five assists in seven postseason games.

The Avalanche have a strong group of defensemen, but Malinski has a chance to periodically crack the lineup this season.

"Sam's great," Avalanche director of player development Brian Willsie said. "I was at his first game on the road in Coachella [Valley], and just from the first period you can tell he's a player. A smooth-skating, smart, puck-moving defenseman; it's what we love here, and him jumping into pro at that time of the regular season, it's tough hockey.

"And then through the playoffs, he was one of our best defensemen in the playoffs for the Eagles. So, it's a testament to him to show that he's ready for pro hockey and [can] take a big bite out of it."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Jean-Luc Foudy, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 75 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Colorado (NHL): 9 GP, 0-0-0; Colorado (AHL): 46 GP, 11-25-36

Foudy took another step with Colorado of the AHL last season, finishing second on the team in assists (25) and fourth in points (36). The 21-year-old also played nine games with the Avalanche.

Offseason changes to the Avalanche roster give Foudy (5-11, 177) a legitimate chance to fight for a roster spot at training camp. Although he's likely to begin the season in the AHL, Foudy provides excellent depth for the Avalanche's bottom six.

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Oskar Olausson, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 28 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Colorado (NHL): 1 GP, 0-0-0; Colorado (AHL): 63 GP, 11-9-20

Last season was the 20-year-old's first full season of professional hockey after joining Colorado of the AHL for the 2021-22 Calder Cup Playoffs. Olausson (6-1, 180) also made his NHL debut when he was recalled for one game in November.

Olausson's a player that Avalanche management is keeping an eye on, and although he's expected to be in the mix for a bottom-six spot during training camp, he'll likely start the season in the AHL.

"We feel we've got some kids that we're excited to see in training camp in the likes of Ben Meyers and [Jean-Luc] Foudy and [Oskar] Olausson and [Fredrik] Olofsson, so we feel like we're in a good spot," general manager Chris MacFarland said.

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

5. Calum Ritchie , F

How acquired: Selected with No. 27 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Oshawa Generals (OHL): 59 GP, 24-35-59

Ritchie (6-2, 185) was third for Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League in points (59) and fourth in goals (24) last season, and he did it while playing through a torn labrum. He also represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he had nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games.

The 18-year-old will return to Oshawa for a third season in the OHL, and he's likely to make a jump in production following an offseason of rehabilitation on his shoulder.

"We're building trust and getting to know him, and we live about 40 miles apart back home in Ontario, and I'll be close by Oshawa we're he's playing junior," Willsie said.

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26