John Mitchell

Mitchell had a fine second season in the Mile High City, netting career-highs in points (32), plus/minus (plus-13), shots on goal (107) and PIM (36), all while assuming a steady role as the Avs' third-line center. Even so, Mitchell won't sniff Colorado's top-six unless there's an injury, nor will he see time on the power-play with any regularity. But he does the little things expected of a solid third-liner -- like killing penalties -- really well. All told, the seventh-year pivot should have a firm grasp on Colorado's third-line center spot yet again, with an outside shot at reaching the 40-point plateau, depending on the performances of linemates like Alex Tanguay, Jamie McGinn and/or the newly-acquired veteran winger, Daniel Briere.