Top prospects for Colorado Avalanche

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, the top five prospects for the Colorado Avalanche, according to NHL.com.

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1. Bowen Byram](https://www.nhl.com/player/bowen-byram-8481524), D

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Vancouver (WHL): 50 GP, 14-38-52
The 19-year-old was tied for seventh among defensemen in the Western Hockey League in points last season playing 50 games, and he had two assists in seven games to help Canada win the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. Byram was on the Avalanche roster when the NHL season resumed, but he did not play a game.
Because of the NHL/Canadian Hockey League agreement, Byram (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) isn't eligible to play in the American Hockey League this season, so he will either stay with the Avalanche or return to the WHL.
"Byram, we're going to give every opportunity," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in October. "But also knowing we don't want to put a lot of pressure on [Byram and other prospects], either. We want them to come in slowly and at their own pace."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Alex Newhook, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 16 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2019-20 season:Boston College (NCAA): 34 GP, 19-23-42
The 19-year-old center won the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA Division I Rookie of the Year after he led first-year players in goals and was tied for seventh among all players in points. Newhook (5-10, 190) will return to Boston College for his sophomore season, but if he produces at a similar rate, it wouldn't be surprising to see him sign an entry-level contract and earn a late-season call-up.
"[He had] a bit of a slow start, which can be expected as an 18-year-old coming in there, but when he started to take off, boy he was a force," Avalanche player development coach Brian Willsie said. "... He's tracking to have a shorter career than a longer career at college the way he played last year."
Projected NHL arrival:Next season

3. Conor Timmins](https://www.nhl.com/player/conor-timmins-8479982), D

How acquired: Selected with No. 32 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Colorado (NHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0; Colorado (AHL): 40 GP, 3-24-27
The 22-year-old missed his entire first professional season after sustaining a head injury in the 2018 Ontario Hockey League playoffs, but he returned last season and played the first two games for the Avalanche before being reassigned to the AHL. Timmins (6-2, 185) again battled injuries in the AHL, but he was healthy when the NHL returned and played two games for the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Someone like Conor Timmins, he just needs to get games," Willsie said. "Staying in the lineup, staying healthy, once that happens, I think it will reveal itself on where he fits best. We see him as a big part of our NHL team in the future."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

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4. Martin Kaut, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 16 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Colorado (NHL): 9 GP, 2-1-3; Colorado (AHL): 34 GP, 5-13-18
The 21-year-old right wing earned a late season call-up with the Avalanche, playing nine of their final 12 regular-season games. Kaut (6-2, 190) was playing for Modo in Sweden's second tier league (HockeyAllsvenskan), and with the Avalanche deep at forward, it's likely he begins the season in the AHL to earn more playing time rather than playing in the bottom six in the NHL.
"There's opportunities there (to make the lineup), and Martin is tracking in the right direction," Willsie said. "He's playing actively now in Modo, so that's a positive for him, but yeah, definitely he's a player who we look to take that next step and find that way into the lineup."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Justus Annunen, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 64 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2019-20 season:Karpat (Liiga): 23 GP, 15-5-3, 1.77 GAA, .929 SV%
The 20-year-old showed his potential in his first season in Liiga, Finland's top professional league, ranking first in GAA and save percentage and setting the record for longest shutout streak (302:05) in league history.
Annunen (6-4, 210) will play this season in his native Finland before coming to North America.
"That was always the plan with Justus this year, COVID or no COVID, to keep him in Finland for another season," Willsie said. "He has a great setup at Karpat. It's a strong franchise, they do well every year in that league. He has a good support staff around him, so we knew he would develop very, very well there."
Projected NHL arrival:2022-23