Julien Nantel

June 2019 – Nantel did not get a qualifying offer from the Avalanche which means he becomes an unrestricted free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

February 2019 – I could probably cut and paste last year’s updates here. 1 point in 22 AHL contests, but nearly point-per-game in the ECHL. The chances of Nantel becoming fantasy worthy in any regard are extremely slim. Hayden Soboleski

April 2018 – After being an ECHL phenom in 2016-17, Nantel had the chance to prove he was AHL-calibre this season. Unfortunately, in 48 AHL games he managed only 8 points before going back to the ECHL where he is once again producing well. Maybe another strong playoff run could give him another chance but he’ll be 22 when next season starts and needs to prove he can play against real competition. Hayden Soboleski

September 2017 – Nantel is among today’s cuts from the Avs preseason roster, and has been assigned to the AHL. His first attempt in San Antonio led to a long ECHL assignment, but this actually led to a very productive campaign and playoff run, where he was a post-season hero for his team. Hopefully that run kickstarted his offensive production and it translates in the AHL this season. He needs to score well in the AHL before he’s worth drafting in any keeper leagues. Hayden Soboleski April 2017 – The transition to pro hockey was not smooth for Nantel. In 59 AHL games he managed only eight points, which earned him a trip to the ECHL where he picked up two points in five games. This is the unfortunate reality for most average forwards coming out of junior, but its too early to give up hope. The 20-year-old may very well become accustomed to the AHL given time, but he is not draft-worthy for the foreseeable future. Hayden Soboleski October 2016 – Nantel was unable to participate in pre-season activities due to a foot injury. After signing a three-year ELC with the Avs in the spring, fans are excited to see what the dependable scorer will bring to the AHL. Nantel possesses a quick-release shot, good defensive awareness, and the ability to play all forward positions, all of which should help him earn a shot as a regular on San Antonio. He is coming off a bountiful QMJHL career spent on a stacked team, so transitioning to the more difficult level of pro hockey may be an obstacle to overcome. Hayden Soboleski March 2016 – Nantel is up to 42 points in 49 games for the powerhouse Huskies of the QMJHL. Not a bad output for the former 7th-round-pick at, but the lack of major improvement from last season is slightly disappointing given how stacked the team is (currently five players scoring at over a point-per-game rate). Nevertheless, the well-built winger will make the jump to the AHL next season and be given a chance to prove his numbers aren’t just a byproduct of those around him. Hayden Soboleski October 2015 – Nantel has been named to the QMJHL roster for the upcoming CHL Canada Russia Series. His hot start has been maintained through ten games, in which he scored five goals, eight assists, and fired 46 SOG. Hayden Soboleski October 2015 – Like fellow Avalanche prospect JC Beaudin, Nantel has been assigned to the Huskies of the QMJHL for the 2015-16 season and is off to a strong start. Nantel currently has five points (one goal, four assists) in four games, and the high-volume shooter has upped this statistic as well – firing off over six shots per game on average to date. He has improved his game in both seasons in the QMJHL so far, so another big year for the 2014 pick would make him even more of a late-round gem for the Avalanche, though he is still a few years away from major-league consideration. Hayden Soboleski May 2015 – After being drafted by Colorado last spring, Julien Nantel returned to Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL for his second full season with the team. Building on a respectable 34 points in 68 games in his rookie season, Nantel stepped up his game with 61 points (26 goals, 35 assists) in 64 games in 2014-15. He also recorded a plus-four and 34 PIM, and strongly contributed in the playoffs with four points in six games, showing potential all-around value for real and fantasy ownership in the future. Strangely enough however, Nantel was only the third-highest-scoring LW on the team, which would indicate that he is playing against secondary defenders and with limited ice-time. Nantel has been able to score at all levels throughout his development, playing midget AAA while 15, playing on the Quebec U17 World Hockey Challenge team while still in midget, and earning the title of MVP of the QMAAA playoffs in 2012-13. After being able to continue to improve offensively in the QMJHL and quickly growing into a strong player (he was listed at 168 lbs one year ago), Nantel’s potential to be an important piece for Colorado is high despite his late draft selection. Not just a scorer, his two-way game and ability to protect the puck were skills noted most before being drafted in 2014. As an 18-year-old, Nantel will return to the QMJHL for another season. A strong all-around player who continues to improve his game both offensively and defensively, Nantel’s ability to carry a heavier workload and more responsibility will be tested next season. Hayden Soboleski