In a move to bolster their depth at center, the Colorado Avalanche have acquired promising young pivot Juuso Parssinen from the Nashville Predators. The 24-year-old Parssinen, who notched 2 goals and 3 assists in 15 games with Nashville this season, joins the reigning Stanley Cup champions in exchange for forward Ondrej Pavel and a 2023 third-round draft pick.
Rising Star Strengthens Avalanche Down the Middle
In Parssinen, the Avalanche are getting a talented two-way center who is just starting to blossom at the NHL level. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Finn plays a strong 200-foot game and has shown flashes of offensive upside, with 16 goals and 42 points in 104 career NHL contests.
“Juuso is a big, skilled center with good hockey sense and a strong work ethic. We feel he will fit well with our group and add quality depth to our lineup.”
– Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland on the Parssinen acquisition
Impressive Young Career
A 7th round pick by the Predators in 2019, Parssinen has quickly outplayed his draft position. He made his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, posting a respectable 14 points in 40 games as a rookie.
This year, Parssinen took another step forward before the trade, sporting a 53.8% faceoff win percentage and averaging over 15 minutes of ice time per game in a middle six role for the Predators. His responsible two-way game and developing offensive tools made him an attractive target for the contending Avalanche.
Playoff-Tested Addition
Though still early in his NHL career, Parssinen already boasts 14 games of playoff experience under his belt. Last spring, he centered the Predators’ third line in their first round series against the Dallas Stars, contributing one goal and one assist.
That postseason seasoning, albeit brief, could prove valuable if Parssinen slots into Colorado’s lineup come playoff time. The Avalanche are hoping to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 2016-17 Pittsburgh Penguins.
At just 24 years old and under club control for several more seasons, Parssinen certainly fits the mold of the kind of young, cost-controlled depth player that championship teams covet. While not a blockbuster move, the Avalanche have to be pleased to add a player of his caliber and upside for a reasonable price.
Predators Gain Pick, Prospect
From the Predators’ perspective, moving Parssinen allows them to gain an extra pick in the upcoming draft, along with an intriguing, if unproven, prospect in Pavel.
Pavel, 24, signed with the Avalanche last spring after a standout career at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The crafty forward registered a stellar 71 points in 62 NCAA games over his three collegiate seasons.
While Pavel has suited up for just two NHL contests so far, he represents a worthwhile flier for a Predators team looking to restock their pipeline. GM David Poile will hope that Pavel can blossom with increased opportunity in their organization, like fellow collegiate free agent signings such as Brandon Biro and Cole Smith have in recent years.
Ripple Effects in Denver and Beyond
For the Avalanche, Parssinen’s arrival adds further intrigue to their forward group as they gear up for another title run. While unlikely to be a top-line option barring injuries, he could conceivably slot in anywhere from 3C to 13th forward depending on team needs and his own performance.
His presence not only shores up Colorado’s skill and depth down the middle, but also gives them an additional trade chip if they want to further tweak their roster before the deadline. The flexibility Parssinen provides could prove extremely useful as the Avalanche looks to navigate the grind of an 82-game season and the gauntlet of the playoffs.
Only time will tell if this somewhat under-the-radar move pays dividends for the Avalanche, but landing a promising 24-year-old center for mid-round pick and a fringe prospect seems like a savvy bet. As the Predators shift to a retool, the Avalanche are once again going all-in — and banking on Juuso Parssinen to help them hoist Lord Stanley’s mug once more.
