On the surface, it would appear that the Avalanche organization has indeed been playing the right cards. They announced a strategy to build from within and they have largely stuck to that position.

In fact, the majority of signings and trades have occurred for players largely considered to be “in the system.” The acquisitions of players including Jonas Holos and Joel Chouinard, the re-signing of players like Phillipe Dupuis and Ray Macias, as well as the trading of T.J. Hensik to the St. Louis Blues for an equal in Julian Talbot have all helped to strengthen the core of youth coming up through the ranks for Colorado. Eight points out of 10.

Add to this the draft of some exciting new talent in picks like center Joey Hishon, goaltender Calvin Pickard, and left wing Michael Bournival, just to name a few. As the draft is impossible to predict: Ten out of 10 until further notice.

Then there are the re-signings of backup goaltender Peter Budaj and enforcer David Koci, each for a year. Budaj was solid in the few games he played, proving he was more suited towards backup duty than carrying the team. He is a positive influence in the locker room and on the bench, but isn’t really a threat to Craig Anderson’s minutes. Eight points out of 10.

Koci averaged three minutes of ice time per game and scored only once. In fact, he lost more fights than he won and, with the exception of nearly killing Mike Greene, was hardly a factor at all. He’s no Scott Parker. Three out of 10.

Captain Adam Foote signed for another year at merely $1 million. Foote can still play and is a veteran voice that this young team needs in order to be successful throughout the course of a season. Ten out of 10.

Kyle Quincey, who had an amazing year with the Avs and is really beginning to blossom, agreed to two more years with the Burgundy Boys. As did Brandon Yip, who is poised to have a spectacular season in the offensive zone. These two have a spot on this team for a while: 1Ten out of 10.

Kevin Porter, a throw in from the Wojtek Wolski for Peter Mueller trade with the Phoenix Coyotes, is holding on for another year with a two way contract. Porter showed some signs of talent but largely didn’t do much. Eight out of 10.

With Matt Hendricks apparently being tossed aside, some help was going to be needed on the lower two lines, so the Avalanche went out and traded with Phoenix again. This time they took Daniel Winnik, giving up a 4th round draft pick next year. Winnik will be an excellent addition on the lower lines, grinding it out and yet still maintaining an ability to score. Nine out of 10.

So far we’re at 66 out of 80 possible points, so a healthy B-, but unfortunately this isn’t the end of the grading process.

It was no surprise that the Avs had a poorly managed defensive situation last season. Early injuries forced call ups for Ryan Wilson and Kyle Cumiskey, both of which had mostly remarkable years. Add to this the often random benching of John-Michael Liles and the eight man defensive roster the team was sporting and we suddenly witnessed the Joe Sacco not-so-merry-go-round of defense.

Needless to say, some guys were on the way out, but instead of making a possible move at the trade deadline, the Colorado Avalanche let the guys walk for nothing.

Brett Clark was picked up, along with Chris Durno, by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ruslan Salei just signed with the Detroit Red Wings, and Mark Svatos, Darcy Tucker, Matt Hendricks and Stephane Yelle all have yet to go anywhere. This hurts Colorado a bit as these guys have value, but may not necessarily have a place on this team. Six out of 10.

Remember Tom Preissing? The throw in to the Ryan Smyth for Kyle Quincey trade? While Quincey quickly earned his place on the team and in fans’ hearts, Preissing provoked bile in the throats of fans and staff alike with his atrocious speed and horrendous playmaking, forcing the team to rid themselves of his pestilence with a buyout for just over $1.8 million. Smart move, but worth the money? Two out of 10.

Meanwhile, there are still two restricted free agents left to sign. Both Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller have yet to agree to terms with the Burgundy and Blue and we are closing in on training camp. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of days left to sign the guys, but how much consideration do you need? Five out of 10.

Finally, there is the salary cap floor. Every team in the NHL is required to spend at least $43.4 million on players’ salaries. Without Stewart and Mueller, the Avalanche is about $4.6 million shy of where it needs to be. Nobody knows what Stewart and Mueller will sign for, as both have only one good season under their belts as proof of talent. Incomplete. Zero out of 10.

Without this final piece of the puzzle, it is impossible to gauge where the Colorado Avalanche stand coming into the season. They have a lot of time left and money to spend, which means things are going on behind the scenes. We just have to wait to find out what will happen.

The team is poised to have another breakout season, which will be less surprising then last year, as all those “in the know” picked Colorado to fizzle out and finish dead last previously.