Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #10 Ondrej Pavel
Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images
This young Czech has jumped three spots on our list from last season and is now ranked in the top 10! The Top 25 Under 25 is a Mile High Hockey staff collaboration. Five writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of August 1, 2024. Now, we'll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
After a brief look in the NHL last season, Ondrej Pavel has arrived in the top 10 of our T25U25 list for the first time. He took his rookie lap and debuted against the New Jersey Devils last November but was held scoreless in his two appearances with the big club. Despite that lack of production, the Minnesota State grad should be optimistic about a new season and opportunity.
Ondrej Pavel’s rookie lap. pic.twitter.com/3EkFipGjhe— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) November 8, 2023
My T25U25 installments seem to be finding a theme, and Ondrej Pavel begins the list of prospects who have a real shot at securing a 4C role here in Colorado. This upcoming training camp and preseason will be essential proving grounds for Pavel's young career. Colorado undoubtedly would rather see a prospect emerge as the PK and fourth-line solution than hit the open market for a veteran. Money is tight, and with Landeskog and Nichuskin's situation still unclear, the Avalanche must save their cheddar wherever possible.
What could Pavel bring to that fourth-line role? He's an aggressive and robust player with relatively preferred defensive capabilities. Last year, I picked Pavel as my dark horse to make the team, and I will double down on that this season. His newfound familiarity with the Eagles/Avs system and another year of development should only help his chances of sticking with the big boys.
Ondrej Pavel scored short-handed in an #Avs preseason game this year. pic.twitter.com/6dpHWIRbN0— Meghan Angley (@megangley) November 6, 2023
Ondrej Pavel seems ready to take that next step, but he will have some stiff competition in camp. Let's see how it goes!
2024 Top 25 Under 25
#11 Ivan Ivan
#12 William Zellers
#13 Tory Pitner
#14 Christian Humphreys
#15 Trent Miner
#16 Max Curran
#17 Saige Weinstein
#T-18 Jake Fisher
#T-18 Matthew Stienburg
#20 Chase Bradley
#T-21 Louka Cloutier
#T-21 Kevin Mandolese
#23 Zakhar Bardakov
#24 Taylor Makar
#25 Maros Jedlicka
...
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