A year ago Ross Colton was the new guy. Not only was he one of the new guys, but the Avalanche also made him relearn a position he hadn’t played consistently at the NHL level.

Today? He’s chilling.

“(I have) more confidence for this year,” Colton told The Gazette before Wednesday’s season opener in Colorado. “I’m just looking forward to getting started and not having to worry about the adjustment period.”

There was certainly an adjustment period, but it certainly wasn’t all bad. In fact, there was some good. He set career highs in assists and points and was one of the few centers who could actually win a faceoff.

Every time coach Jared Bednar was asked how Colton was doing at center, he gave the same answer.

“He’s doing better.”

When asked before the start of the season, he sounded like a coach who was very pleased with his player’s development over the past year.

“He looks more comfortable,” Bednar said of Colton. “He’s becoming more consistent in getting to areas where he can receive the puck earlier in the middle of the ice, whether that’s outside the defensive zone or in the neutral zone where he has room to skate and distribute. “It’s a skill , which you have to develop further, and I think he got better at that last year.”

It makes sense that Colton feels more comfortable this year. Finally he has his boys back.

The “Roaring 20’s” line, as it was called last year, is back together. Miles Wood never left, but Logan O’Connor, who missed the end of last season due to hip surgery, is back and ready to reclaim his place on the other side of Colton. Together, the trio was quite dominant during the regular season, pinning opposing teams in their own court and even throwing in some offense.

“Just playing with (O’Connor) and (Wood) I just feel more comfortable out there,” Colton said. “I know where they will be, I know their games. We all kind of have a similar style.”

With the Avalanche lacking roster strength early in the year, Bednar could lean heavily on Colton’s line. Although Casey Mittelstadt was signed as a second midfielder, he is currently playing between two wingers. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if Colton’s team ends up playing more balanced until some veterans return to the lineup.

With a young cast, Colton takes on more of a leadership role and he’s excited to see what the new guys can bring to the table.

“I love that they’re going to be hungry,” he said. “They will fly around and spread the fire, maybe set the tone. The most important thing is just to make them feel better.”