With the 2015-16 NHL season just over two months away, it’s time to start lacing up those skates and preparing for another 82-game season that will hopefully extend into the postseason for the Colorado Avalanche.

Before the NHL season starts, NHL.com is reviewing all 30 teams in the league and identifying their top five prospects. Here, we offer our take on the five they’ve identified, and where they will likely spend their time this year.

1. Mikko Rantanen (RW)

The talented Finnish player was drafted tenth overall in June’s 2015 NHL draft. Still only 18-years-old, if Rantanen stays with the team this season, he will join fellow Avs Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon as Avalanche teenagers to make the immediate jump to the League.

If head coach Patrick Roy decides to hold off giving the 6-foot-4 211-pound forward his debut, Rantanen can be assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL), because he has already played professionally in Finland.

Expect to see Rantanen at some pont this season due to his immense talent, though it may not be on opening night.

2. Calvin Pickard (G)

23-year-old Pickard was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2010 NHL draft, but since then he has not seen consistent game time with the Avalanche. That changed last season with the injuries sustained to starter Semyon Varlamov, and Pickard admirably stepped up and played outstandingly.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Pickard allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 16 appearances, and due to that, he is now in a tight competition with fellow goalie Reto Berra for the backup position going into this season.

The Avs just recently signed Pickard to a one year deal, but depending on what happens with fellow backup Berra, Pickard could be staying in Denver long-term.

3. Chris Bigras (D)

Bigras was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Draft and is yet to make his debut for Colorado. At 6-foot-2, 194-pounds, Bigras could challenge for a spot on a roster that has eight veteran defenseman.

Bigras was a first team all-star in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season and also spent some time in AHL. Bigras best attributes consist of being an effective two-way player, a smooth skater as well as a good passer with the ability to initiate a good transition game.

With the Avs picking up defenseman this offseason, this may be a year too soon for Bigras, but at just 20 years of age, time is on his side.

4. Joey Hishon (C)

Hishon was drafted in the 1st round of the 2010 NHL Draft. Since then, the 23-year-old has struggled with staying healthy and that has affected his NHL duties. While in the minors, Hishon only played nine games from 2011-2013, which is a severely worrisome sign. Because of this, Hishon only has played 13 total games with the Avalanche since being drafted.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound center has shown a lot of promise and last season in the AHL was his best as a pro; he was rewarded with a call-up that saw him score a game-winner against the Nashville Predators last season.

The bottom line with Hishon is his health. If he can stay healthy he can be productive playmaker because the talent is certainly there. Don’t be too surprised if you see Hishon getting called up for a longer period of time this upcoming season.

5. Conner Bleackley (C)

19-year-old Bleackley was drafted in the 1st round of the 2010 NHL Draft and he is a prospect the Avs are very high on. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound center has been playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he has been captain the past two seasons, and where he is expected to play for one more season.

Another player that has high energy and a high hockey IQ, Bleackley is already a team leader. This will only benefit Bleackley and the Avs down the road. Remember this name and in 2-3 years; Bleackley could be a marquee player in the very near future.

Sammy Mugharbil, a Mile high Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver, contributed to this report