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. Mikhail Gulyayev , D

How acquired: Selected with No. 31 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2024-25 season: Omsk (KHL): 67 GP, 7-8-15

The Avalanche are excited by the progress the 20-year-old (5-foot-10, 172 pounds) has made entering his fourth season in the Kontinental Hockey League.

"When you draft him young like that, at 18, you just wait for them to get stronger and sturdy over pucks, and we've seen that," director of player development Brian Willsie said. "His skating, believe it or not, has kept improving. So that has made him a more dynamic player. Playing against men in that league the way he

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