Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche depth chart

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.

It'll be a change in philosophy, not on-ice personnel, as over the summer, Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche management worked primarily at the margins of a roster now in the hands of head coach Jared Bednar.

Here's how the Avalanche will return under new direction this season:

• This puzzle is incomplete. There is so much room for experimentation in this lineup with versatile forwards, as well as a blend of young and old littered throughout.
• Joe Colborne is the only real newcomer. He's a natural center, but after earning a multi-year contract from the Avalanche after a 44-point season, it's likely he'll be deployed with some playmakers.

• Patrick Wiercioch and Nikita Zadorov are two interesting pieces, though as it stands now, outside the top six. Both are teachable high-upside defenders on modest salaries.

• The Avalanche locked up their highly effective backup to a reasonable two-year extension over the summer.

NHL Depth Charts

ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY
CAR | CHI | COL | CBJ | DAL
DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN
MTL | NSH | NJD | NYI | NYR
PHI | PIT | OTT | STL | SJ
TB | TOR | VAN | WSH | WPG