T.J. Galiardi

Galiardi is a smart and creative playmaker with superb wheels, and he'll bring that to San Jose's third line. He won't equal his 39-point brilliance of his rookie season. But he should return to that plateau in a couple of seasons. All he needs are high-end linemates and he will deliver.

Galiardi battled a number of injuries last season, including a broken wrist, which explains why he was limited to just 35 games (7G, 8A). Still, at 23 years old, Galiardi has the tools - speed, vision, hockey smarts - to evolve into a special player in the NHL. But the Avs can only hope that he stays away from the injury bug and turns in a season similar to the one he had in 2009-10, when he potted 15 goals and 24 assists in 70 games.

Galiardi was one of a handful of young Colorado forwards to step up last year. Following a season that saw him score just four points in limited action, Galiardi earned the recognition of new coach Joe Sacco and responded with 15 goals and 24 assists in 70 games, spending much of that time on the team’s top line alongside Paul Stastny and Chris Stewart. Overall, Galiardi is an instinctive playmaker with a great head for the game. He is extremely smart, patient and creative with the puck, and his great on-ice vision helps him find open teammates, especially proven goal scorers like Stewart and Stastny. Assuming he can stick for a full season with these guys on the Avs’ top line, 50-plus point season is not out of the question.

Galiardi was called up from AHL Lake Erie in March of last year and stuck with the Avs for the rest of the season, posting three goals and an assist in 11 games. He enters this season as a candidate to center one of the Avs' bottom two lines, and could even see some time on the second scoring line. However, he'll have to outplay #3 overall draft pick Matt Duchene to land that job.

Galiardi has been a point-a-game winger the past three seasons no matter where he's played - AJHL, NCAA and WHL. He combines speed, offensive skill and good on-ice instincts. All he needs to do is bulk up a bit and he'd be the total package. He won't crack the Avs' roster for another season or two, but those of you in keeper leagues might want to snap him up as a player with serious long term potential.

Galiardi was reassigned to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League in Sept. 2007.

Galiardi carries the mantle of already playing a pro game; it's just his size that needs a little time to catch up. He is a master along the boards and cycles the puck about as well as some NHLers, but his sub-175 lb weight on that 6-2 frame means he'll be pulverized playing against men. If he can add 15-20 lbs next season, you might just see him breaking camp with the Avs in 2008-2009. Yes, he's that ready.