Using the VUKOTA projection system of Hockey Prospectus, Insider is taking the temperature of key players on every NHL team, continuing with the Colorado Avalanche. For a detailed explanation of Prospectus' proprietary GVT value metric, read more here.
Note: Because of the lockout, GVT scores for the 2013 season are prorated from 48 to 82 games.
Summer Skate: Colorado Avalanche
Not much was working for Colorado last season, as the Avalanche finished 27th in both goals for and goals against, and next to last in the entire league in the standings. The result? Eric Lacroix and coach Joe Sacco are out, replaced by new executive VPs Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy, the latter of whom will be their new head coach.
Hopefully their troubles were truly caused by those wearing the suits and ties, because other than the arrival of first overall selection Nathan MacKinnon and a few other minor moves, the Avalanche are largely the same team as last season. The good news is that realignment has put them in the relatively weak Central division, where a quick turnaround is a distinct possibility.
Trending up: D Tyson Barrie
Last season: 1.7 GVT | VUKOTA projection: 3.3