Meet the 2019-20 Colorado Avalanche

It’s been a while since I’ve done this kind of thing. Player capsules, of the whole roster, are now back in my wheelhouse.

Just little thumbnails on all the players and maybe a couple things you didn’t know about them.

Let’s get started:

GABE LANDESKOG, LW, 26, 9th season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Has really grown into the captain’s role. He probably was given that designation too young, and at times it could be awkward in the Avs’ room. Not anymore. Not only does he lead off the ice, with a calm, no-excuses mentality, he’s coming off the best season of his career. … He’ll be eligible for a contract extension after this season. Expect the Avs to want to get that done sooner rather than later. … He’s married now ladies, sorry. … He has a twin sister. … Wears perfectly tailored suits, a bit of a clotheshorse, but nothing too flashy.

NATHAN MACKINNON, C, 24, seventh season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Came within just one point of getting 100 last season. If he stays healthy, no reason to think he won’t eclipse the mark this year. … Has another level of speed that most guys just don’t. … Most pundits think he’ll challenge for a Hart Trophy this season. … He’s an impatient guy, with pretty much everything. But, especially for more success as a team and his own. A very intense guy, but he also has a fun-loving, easygoing side that mostly only friends, family and teammates see behind the scenes.

MIKKO RANTANEN, 22, RW, fifth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Training camp? Who needs it? After a bit of summer drama, Rantanen returned to the fold on Saturday, six years and $55.5 million richer. He should be worth it when all is said and done. … Has just very good hands and a good shot, and his footspeed can be deceptively fast at times. Excellent in odd-man rush situations, and on the power play. … Nickname is “Moose.” … Will he be rusty, after missing all of the preseason? We’ll start to find out Thursday night, but don’t count on it. … Well-liked by teammates, almost always has a friendly word for everyone.

TYSON JOST, LW, 21, fourth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Just like last season, he starts out on the second line – on wing this time instead of center. Jost hopes, unlike last season, he can stay in that spot for the long haul. … He’s still just 21, but there is some pretty good pressure on him to prove he can put up top-six numbers. If he doesn’t put up between 30-40 points, at least, the season will be a disappointment. … No one can question his desire and work ethic, no matter what. He works very hard and cares a lot. Just has to let the game slow down a bit more and it should come. … Studies the game well, can break down what happened quickly. Might make a good coach or broadcaster some day.

NAZEM KADRI, C, 28, ninth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: The proven, second-line center that the team has lacked the last couple of years. He brings with him plenty of experience after nearly a decade in Toronto, but he’s still got plenty left it would seem. … Turns 29 on Oct. 6. … Very good on faceoffs, something the Avs have lacked. He should play in the middle “wheel” position on the first power-play unit. … Married, with a daughter. … Known to have a hot temper at times, as his two suspensions in NHL playoff series (both against Boston) attests. … Otherwise, a calm, easygoing guy off the ice.

ANDRE BURAKOVSKY, RW, 24, sixth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: The former Washington Capital is hoping a change of scenery – plus more ice time – gives the boost to his career he’s been seeking. … Was considered a streaky player with the Caps, though he rarely got to play on the top six. He will start the season at second-line right-wing, so the Avs are giving him the chance. Skates well and has a good shot. Has to just simply make more plays with his skills. … Scored two big goals in a Game 7 Washington victory over Tampa Bay in the 2018 Eastern finals. Caps went on to win the Stanley Cup from there. … Is trying to better the mind, with work with a sports psychologist.

MATT NIETO, LW, 26, seventh season

SEASON OUTLOOK: After scoring 15 goals two years ago, his production slipped to four goals last season. … But he had a very good playoffs, with four goals and seven points in 12 games. … You do worry a bit about his offense, especially playing on the third line. But, he mostly does the other things well in the game. He’s a good forechecker, more physical than people realize and a good skater. … Nickname is “Neetsy.” … One of the few players in NHL history with pure Latino heritage. … Purchases tickets every home game to donate to charitable causes.

J.T. COMPHER, C, 24, fourth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Starts the season as the third-line center. He’s played pretty much all over the place in his short career, but Avs hope he can better establish himself as a reliable center now. … Coming off career highs in both goals (16) and points (32). … Though he’s shown himself to be a bit of a streaky offensive player, he always seems to be good in late-game, clutch situations, which is why Jared Bednar has him out there a lot in those situations. … A low-key kind of guy off the ice, but he has a droll, dry sense of humor on occasion.

JOONAS DONSKOI, RW, 27, fifth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Avs signed the Finn to a four-year, $18 million contract on July 1. … He’s pretty big (6-0, 190) and plays a hard-skating, fairly rugged game. He scored the game-winning goal in San Jose’s 3-2 Game 7 win over Colorado last spring. … He’s a very good skater, with good “edges”, but he said it was a “10-year process” in becoming one. Skating, he said, was his weak point as a teenager. … Has a fiancee. … Nickname with Sharks was “Donkey.” … First name is pronounced “YOO-nas.”

MATT CALVERT, LW, 29, 10th season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Had a good first season with the Avs. Unfortunately, it ended with him unable to play in Game 7 against the Sharks because of a head injury. That had to be a hell of a lot of pain, because Calvert is as tough as they come. … A heart-and-soul kind of player who is never afraid to get his nose dirty. … A professional through and through, always comes ready to play and is the accountable type who never whines or makes excuses. … Married, with two children. … He’ll start the season on the fourth line. Probably unrealistic to expect him to hit double figures in goals again, but if there’s a player who can find a way even with limited ice time, it’s him.

PIERRE-EDOUARD BELLEMARE, C, 34, sixth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Imported from the Vegas Golden Knights on a two-year free-agent contract. He’s your new fourth-line center. … One of the better faceoff men in the NHL, Bellemare is also a very good penalty killer. He and Matt Calvert will be the top two forwards on the first PK unit. … Don’t expect a lot of offense, but he’s usually good for 6-7 goals a season. … Spent many years before coming to the NHL as a pro in the Swedish League. … Married, with a son. … Oldest player on the team. … He’s in phenomenal physical condition, however. Very strong on his skates. … Born in France.

VALERI NICHUSHKIN, RW, 24, fifth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Avs took a flyer on him, signing him to a one-year deal, and he impressed enough to make the club. … He was the Dallas Stars’ first-round selection in 2013 (10th overall) and had a good first season with the Stars. His numbers regressed some in the second season, however, and a contract dispute led him to go back to Russia to play in the KHL from 2016-18. He returned to Dallas for the 2018-19 season, but failed to score a goal in 57 games. … He’s big (6-4, 210) and he does have some skill. Whether he can get his career back on the ascent remains to be seen, but he’ll start the season on the fourth line.

COLIN WILSON, 29, RW, 11th season

SEASON OUTLOOK: A bit of a surprise when the Avs re-signed him, despite having eight points in 12 playoff games and 12 regular-season goals. Unless something changes in the last minute, it looks like he’ll start the season as a healthy scratch, as he has not been skating on any of the four top lines in recent practices. … Off-season shoulder surgery forced him to begin camp in a non-contact jersey, but he’s cleared to play now. … He is nice insurance to have on the forward lines, but right now he has to fight to get a regular role back. … He’s very much into meditation. … Born in Greenwich, CT., but grew up in Winnipeg. … Father, Carey, played 10 seasons in the NHL for Calgary, Hartford and the Rangers.

VLADISLAV KAMENEV, C, 23, fourth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Starts the season as an extra forward. … Injuries have hampered his young career. Now, the question is: where will he play, if injuries don’t strike others? … Pretty good on faceoffs, has some obvious skill. Just hasn’t been able to put anything much together, because of the injuries and inconsistency. When he does get a chance to play, he’ll need to produce…something.

CALE MAKAR, D, 20, first season

SEASON OUTLOOK: A future star-in-the-making. Won the Hobey Baker Award with UMass last season, then parachuted into the playoffs with the Avs and scored in his first game. … Had six points in 10 playoff games. … He takes over as the Avs’ power-play quarterback on the first unit. … Not only is he fast and skilled, his hockey IQ seems off the charts. … Still needs to learn the game more in his own end, at this level. Might be a few growing pains there, but he’s the type who doesn’t tolerate any lasting weakness to his game, so you know he’ll keep working on it.

SAM GIRARD, D, 21, third season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Signed a seven-year, $35 million contract over the summer, which may look like a real bargain before too long. … Starts the season as a top-2 D-man, alongside Makar. … Should run the second power-play unit. … Very patient with the puck in his own end. His spin-o-rama will make guys look foolish still … Avs hope he can increase his offensive production some, hopefully with points into the 30s. … A very good opera singer, when he wants to be. … Very quiet off the ice.

ERIK JOHNSON, D, 31, 12th season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Had off-season shoulder surgery, and says he feels better than he has in a couple years. … He tried to play through a bad right shoulder last year, with varying degrees of success. … Had the burden of being hyped as a former first overall pick in a draft that contained players like Jonathan Toews, but he has carved out a nice, long career for himself. … He makes a good first pass, is a strong skater and knows opponents’ little tricks. Avs hope he has a nice bounce-back season, and he looked good in camp. … He owns several thoroughbred horses.

NIKITA ZADOROV, D, 24, seventh season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Enters the season with seemingly as good an outlook as any of his career. He’s got more financial security now, and feels more wanted by the team, finally. He starts the season as a second-pairing guy, with Johnson. … At 6-6, 235, he remains an intimidating physical presence. He is not shy at hitting opponents, and revels when they become agitated by it. … Despite some ups and downs in his career, he has maintained a positive attitude. … Married, with a daughter. … Sharp dresser, with fancy tailored suits. … One of only two Avs players in team history with a last name beginning with Z (Greg Zanon the other).

CONOR TIMMINS, D, 21, first season

SEASON OUTLOOK: The feel-good story of training camp. … Seemed to have little chance to make the big club, because of more check-listing to do in the process of coming back from concussion symptoms. But his play was too good to overlook, so he’s on the club and will play opening night. … Very smart, heady player. Has good offensive instincts, but also very sound in his own end. Could become a very good NHL player, assuming good health.

RYAN GRAVES, D, 24, second season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Starts the season as the sixth D-man in the rotation. … Acquired from the Rangers a couple years ago, Graves has stubbornly worked at his game to the point where he is being given a real chance in the NHL, to start a season. That has never happened to him before. … Could play a lot on the PK, with his size and shot-blocking ability. … The second player ever to come from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (Jody Shelley was the other). … Needs to keep working on his footspeed, but he’s shown he can play some at this level.

MARK BARBERIO, D, 29, eighth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: A depth D-man, entering the final year of his contract. … A very high-character guy, well-liked in the room. He still has very good speed and a good slap shot. … Sometimes, his decision-making in his own end has gotten him in trouble. Sometimes, he seems to think a little too hard out there. … Always has a good word and a smile for people.

IAN COLE, D, 30, ninth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Starts the season on the injured list, after off-season surgery on both hips. … Had a pretty good first season with the Avs after signing a four-year free-agent contract. … Big, heavy skater who hits hard. … Always one of the top shot-blockers on his team, and, often, the league. … Likes to talk to people, even the media. … Married. … Hopes to be back soon, but it originally was slated to be in December. Probably at least a few weeks away still.

PHILIPP GRUBAUER, G, 27, eighth season

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Avs’ new No. 1 goalie. … Had a great final month of the regular season and carried that into the playoffs, to earn the job. … Quick on his feet, very flexible. Still learning the Western Conference. … Very intelligent guy, who reads actual print books. … Like most goalies, does not dwell much on the past. Everything is about turning the page, to the next game/save/day.

PAVEL FRANCOUZ, G, 29, second season

SEASON OUTLOOK: Enters the season as the backup goalie. … Played several years in the KHL before signing with the Avs last year. Played in two games. … Had a very good season for the Colorado Eagles in his first season in North America. … Slated to play 20-25 games, but you never know how many games a goalie will actually play.