Welcome to Evan’s mailbag, where each week Avalanche reporter Evan Rawal answers all your Avalanche- and hockey-related questions. Mailbag questions can be sent to evan.rawal@gazette.com.

Are we still in ‘2C’ purgatory?

I think it’s fair to call Brock Nelson’s start to the season underwhelming, but I’d give it a bit more time. He’s coming off three of his better games on the season, so it’s starting to trend up. I’m also noticing the chemistry between Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin getting better each and every game. My biggest issue with Nelson so far is that for a shooter who has scored 30-plus goals in multiple seasons, he hasn’t been shooting a ton. That has started to change recently and hopefully that trend continues. They were also asking a ton of him early in the year, as he was playing over 20 minutes a night the first few games. Getting him back around 17-19 minutes a game might be for the best.

Who has the biggest problem with cleanly receiving passes and why is it Brock Nelson?

I have noticed this being an issue for Nelson. However, not to defend him or make excuses, but I got a look at the scar on his wrist from the skate cut he received two weeks back in Buffalo and that thing is gnarly. Although he didn’t miss any time, I have to imagine it’s a little uncomfortable for him and might be playing a role in some of his mishandles.

With the recent play of Gavin Brindley/Zakhar Bardakov, what does the forward lineup look like when Logan O’Connor and Joel Kiviranta return?

Not sure we have to worry about Kiviranta coming back any time soon. He’s been sporting a pretty noticeable limp around the Avalanche facilities so he’s probably a ways from returning. Logan O’Connor’s return is imminent, though. Jared Bednar told Altitude Sports Radio on Wednesday that O’Connor will go on the road trip this weekend, although he won’t play. They’re still expecting him to return in early November, which is very close.

When that does happen, someone has to come out. The easy thing to do would be to send Gavin Brindley down to the AHL because you can do so without waivers. But Brindley has earned more time with the Avalanche, in my opinion. It’s also pretty clear they trust him more than Bardakov. Although they don’t want to use Parker Kelly at center if they can avoid it, they have that option and it’s a way to keep Brindley around.

What does Thomas Harley’s new contract in Dallas mean for Colorado’s negotiations with Cale Makar?

Not a whole lot. Harley’s deal was a combination of restricted free agent years and unrestricted years. Makar’s will be all unrestricted years, which always cost more. Either way, there’s no comparison. Harley is a fantastic defenseman, but Makar is in a league of his own. His negotiation is going to be its own thing, kind of like Connor McDavid’s last summer in Edmonton. If Makar wanted to give the Avalanche a sweet discount like McDavid did for the Oilers, I’m sure Chris MacFarland wouldn’t mind.

“What’s making fans mad about Fanatics?”

I’ve received a lot of complaints from fans about Fanatics just canceling their orders for Nordiques jerseys without warning, leaving fans stuck with nothing. I’ve reached out to Fanatics for a response on why this is happening and have not heard back.

Even some of the fans who have received jerseys have complaints about the quality. The NHL chose to get into bed with Fanatics, and if there is a problem with quality and customer service, the fans are the ones that ultimately suffer.

The Avs were the eighth-best power play last season but terrible against Dallas in playoffs. Was firing Ray Bennett the right decision?

I tried to warn fans the power play wasn’t likely to look all that different, even with the coaching change. Bennett was just the fall guy after a brutal playoff showing, because you sure as heck weren’t going to move MacKinnon or Makar. A fresh voice never hurts, even if there’s not major changes.

Tuesday against New Jersey was a step in the right direction, but I can’t help but notice that the seam pass through the center of the ice just hasn’t been there. Other teams have a say in what the Avalanche can and can’t do with the man advantage. It’s up to Colorado to adjust. Moving MacKinnon around a bit more is something that must be done, and it led to Victor Olofsson’s power-play goal against the Devils.

It’s a positive they finally have the five best options for the top unit playing together. Nichushkin not being on the ice with the big guns never made sense given his prowess on the man advantage the last few years. Olofsson also gives them a shooting threat they just haven’t had since Mikko Rantanen was traded nine months ago.

What, outside of the power play, is the Avs’ weakest area? How can it improve?

Scott Wedgewood held down the fort just fine without Mackenzie Blackwood. You’re asking a lot from any goaltender to start 10 of the first 11 games. Even some of the best in the world don’t typically do that. That being said, the Avalanche need their starting goaltender back. Luckily, that should happen this weekend.

Save percentage isn’t the only stat to examine because breakdowns happen in front of goalies. But during their four-game skid, the Avalanche weren’t getting a ton of saves. Five straight games of their starters posting a sub-.879 save percentage is evidence of that. It might take Blackwood some time to get into a rhythm again, but they need him back.