Jean-Luc Foudy

October 2024 – Despite finally being healthy for a full training camp and pre-season, Foudy has been cut from the Avs roster and assigned to the AHL Eagles for the start of the 2024-25 season. He got into 3 exhibition games but had nothing to show for it, his only notable stat was blocked shots. His playmaking abilities occasionally shine through but he has fewer opportunities for creativity when playing against NHL competition and his fore-checking (which the Avs like from their bottom six) was not particularly strong. He will be on the call-up shortlist but this was a major opportunity that passed him by. Hayden Soboleski

March 2024 – Foudy has finally returned from injury and hasn’t wasted any time making an impact. In 12 games back so far, the winger has managed 6 points while in a top-six role. This earned him a brief one-game call-up with the Avs prior to trade deadline and he scored his first NHL goal. All signs are pointing to a full return to form which would put Foudy on track to push for an NHL role next training camp. Hayden Soboleski

December 2023 – 27 games into the 2023-24 campaign, Foudy has still not yet suited up for the AHL Eagles, let alone the Avs who were hoping for a roster push in training camp. The team has been quiet on any details as to why this injury recovery is taking so long, making it hard for fantasy owners to be optimistic of any sort of return on investment this season. The ideal scenario at this stage is a return to play some time in the new year, with a strong enough performance down the stretch in the minors to keep him in a bubble position come 2024 pre-season. Hayden Soboleski

September 2023 – Foudy will not be participating with the Avs for their upcoming rookie tournament, indicating that his season-ending lower-body injury is still limiting his readiness for the upcoming season. Missing training camp and pre-season would be a big blow to the forward who was primed to legitimately compete for an NHL spot. Hayden Soboleski

February 2023 – Technically it was as a fill-in, but Foudy was an AHL All-Star representing the Eagles among the best of the best in the league. His 31 points in 36 games is a already a career-high, and his 11 goals in that mix represents some diversity in his offensive game that will be necessary to have an NHL future. Now essentially a winger – Foudy should see more NHL call-up time in 2023-24 following this successful campaign so far. He has missed roughly a week with an injury but this is not expected to be long-term. Hayden Soboleski

December 2022 – As the Avalanche continue to be plagued with injuries, Foudy was yet another AHL Eagle who got the call to fill in. He got into three NHL games and averaged two SOG/game in that time despite playing just ten minutes per night. He also averaged one PIM/game, but that is something that will look to decrease, not be maintained in the future. Playing on the wing but taking the occasional faceoff, he was scrambled between multiple lines including the top-six, but this is due to the sheer volume of injuries, not a true tryout. In his third NHL game, Foudy suffered a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Next man up… Hayden Soboleski

November 2022 – Foudy has picked up where he left off after his hot playoff run to end 2021-22. Seven points in his first five games had fantasy owners drooling once again, although he cooled off afterwards with just one point in the next five. His play away from the puck has been coach Cronin’s priority, and he remains in the top-six consistently thanks to his improvement. He remains on the wing most of the time and projects as such should he receive any NHL call-ups (this may be big ask this season with so many bodies ahead of him, but should be in the cards starting in 2022-23). Hayden Soboleski

September 2022 – Foudy has been assigned to the AHL Eagles for the 2022-23 campaign. This is not unexpected for the 3rd-year pro, but a louder pre-season certainly would have been nice to see from the 20-year-old who occasionally looked like the Eagle’s best player last season, especially in the playoffs. He was used at center ice but got annihilated in the faceoff dot through three exhibition contests so keep an eye on whether he is shifted to the wing more often than usual in the minors, or given more time at center to practice this skill. The competition for top-six spots on the Eagles will be tough, but in Foudy can come close to his playoff scoring pace his spot should be safe, and his experience as a dual centerman/winger gives him extra versatility to stay there. Hayden Soboleski

June 2022 – Foudy made up for his underwhelming regular season with a clutch playoff run for the Eagles. His squad was eliminated in the third round but along the way he put up 7 points in 9 games including 3 GWG and 2 OT winners. This will raise the expectations on him for 2022-23, where he will once again be a top-six staple and perhaps start to see his first NHL cups of coffee. Hayden Soboleski

February 2022 – After a rookie campaign worthy of an ELC, Foudy has not taken the next step in 2021-22. His four goals, ten assists, and 61 SOG in 38 games is near-identical to last season in very similar usage. Still bouncing between center and wing, Foudy has spent time on all lines in the top-nine and both powerplay units. His flashes of high skill show his offensive potential but he experiences long cold streaks that need to be eliminated before he becomes a legitimate option for an NHL audition. Expect a few more years of AHL duties, but the fantasy upside is still present. Hayden Soboleski

May 2021 – Foudy has signed his ELC with the Avalanche. His play in the AHL has made it evident that returning to the OHL in 2021-22 would have been squandering development time better spent continuing to practice against tougher and more mature competition. Foudy maintained a consistent spot in the Eagles lineup, usually in the top-six, rotating between center ice and the wing. His 14 points in 34 regular season games was respectable for a rookie, although heavily lopsided with only 3 goals in that mix. His speed and positional awareness with the puck made him pro-ready as an 18-year-old; it will be a treat to watch him continue to develop in the AHL for another 2 years or so before pushing for NHL consideration. Hayden Soboleski

February 2021 – With the OHL still not operational, the Avalanche have been able to loan Foudy to the AHL for the start of the 2020-21 Eagles season. In Game 1 he slotted in on the top line wing beside Shane Bowers – a big deal considering there are wingers on the squad who have been in the organization longer who would typically get the first chance to ride shotgun in the top-six. He will likely head back to Windsor if the OHL returns, but for now it will be valuable to play pro hockey as long as he can. This will be a step up from his short-term loan spent in the 3rd-tier Swedish league when Covid first hit. Hayden Soboleski

October 2020 – Foudy was drafted 75th overall by the Avalanche. Foudy is expected to spend two more years in the OHL before turning pro.  Jokke Nevalainen

April 2020 – The reality is that Jean Luc Foudy had a less productive season that he likely hoped for prior to his draft year. His skating remains elite and he can dazzle at times in transition and as he works his way through the offensive zone, zigging and zagging around the attacking zone. The skill and potential are still very high for Foudy. He passed the puck to the middle of the ice in the offensive zone at a near-elite level and he understands that funneling the puck to the slot and net-front area creates the most dangerous chances. The flaws in his game are obvious but fixable if the player is willing to put in the work. Foudy will likely shift to the wing at the next level and if he does, he profiles much better as a playmaking winger. His defensive game is a major red flag as his effort in the defensive end is lacking. His ability to transition the puck up the ice is another near-elite trait but he does need to get his hands to catch up with his feet at times. The intrigue of Foudy’s upside is massive because the ceiling seems extremely high because of the high-end traits that he possesses. Tony Ferrari

July 2019 – Under a year out from the 2020 NHL Draft, Foudy is one of the top prospects available. His strong skating and consistent energy have helped make him one of the premier playmakers in the class. He exhibits excellent vision and hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. His offensive zone prowess is intimidating when he is going full bore as he seems to be able to make any pass he wants whether it be a simple touch pass or feeding the puck through feet. He has a good shot, although not elite, but fails to use it often enough. The young Spitfires’ center put up an impressive 41 assists as a rookie last year and will likely build on that with a consistent top-six role this upcoming season. While his defensive zone coverage would likely be aided by a higher compete level, his high-level hockey sense leads one to believe that it will improve. Watch for Foudy to add his shot into his offensive arsenal more consistently and improve his motor in the defensive end one the course of his draft eligible season. –Tony Ferrari