The intensity and physicality at Colorado Avalanche practice increased dramatically Wednesday, with the last two exhibition games looming and a few spots in the opening night lineup still up for grabs.
Part of that was the Avs’ back-to-back poor performances in the previous preseason contests. But it’s also because time is running short for the guys on the fringe who are trying to make one final push for a spot before the official rosters are set Monday night.
“It’s nice to still be here,” veteran forward Chris Wagner said. “Just taking it day-by-day, and being grateful for every day I’m here. Just trying to make the most of the opportunity.”
The Avalanche cut 10 players after a 6-1 loss Tuesday night at Ball Arena. Colorado’s camp roster stands at 30: 19 forwards, 8 defensemen and three goalies. Four of the forwards — Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, Gabe Landeskog and Ondrej Pavel — are all unavailable right now.
How the Avs are going to construct their opening-night roster still has some interesting variables. Will they keep all eight defensemen? Avs coach Jared Bednar has hinted they might, and it does make sense, especially if the alternative is exposing someone like Erik Brannstrom or Oliver Kylington to waivers.
Will Lehkonen start the year on injured reserve to open up a roster spot? If he does, will the Avs carry 12 forwards or 13, not counting him?
Finding players to fill in for Lehkonen, Nichushkin and Landeskog up front has been a key part of camp. With two games left, there haven’t been many standing out ahead of the competition.
“I wish there were more,” Bednar said. “I wish some more guys would have stepped up and elevated their game more and they just didn’t. Some guys have. I guess we only need three, so if we get three, we’ll be pretty happy. Deep down, we need three guys to play right away. If that’s all we get, then that’s all we get.”
Who are those three going to be? Nikolai Kovalenko has to be a frontrunner. He’s played well in multiple preseason games, easily earned more praise from Bednar than the rest of the pack and could fit on any line with his mix of skill and physicality.
Calum Ritchie, another rookie, has the clearest path to a spot. It’s pretty simple: If Ritchie shows he can make some defensive improvement in the final days of camp, he’s already shown the offensive skill this club needs on the second line until one or two of the three big names return.
“Obviously I need to improve the defensive side of the game,” Ritchie said. “It’s a different system, so I feel like sometimes in the D-zone I’m overthinking. It’s not exactly muscle memory yet. It’s not instinctual yet. I’m working on it a lot, watching a lot of video.”
If the Avs do not want to play two rookies next to Casey Mittelstadt on the second line, or if they decide Ritchie isn’t ready for NHL duty, there could be some shuffling. Ross Colton, typically the No. 3 center, practiced on a line with Mittelstadt and Ritchie.
The third “open spot” is likely to be the fourth-line center, regardless of how Bednar configures the lineup. Wagner, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, T.J. Tynan and Ivan Ivan can all play that position but also offer different strengths and weaknesses. Tynan, a two-time AHL MVP, is an offensively gifted player and could even sneak into the second-line role if needed.
“There’s only so many spots,” Tynan said. “I’ve been on both sides of it. We’re here to help the organization any way we can. You’ve just got to keep working. There’s a lot of good players here. I’m just trying to get better every day and help out in whatever role there is.”
There’s a lot of “if this, then that” when it comes to the final roster puzzle. If Kovalenko and Ritchie make it, then it’s probably a four-way battle for one spot. If Lehkonen goes on injured reserve and the Avs keep 13 forwards, then there are two spots. There is also the possibility of the Avs adding someone from waivers early next week, which would be a new wrinkle in the competition.
The Avs have two exhibition games in the next three days, both on the road and likely against NHL-heavy lineups. It’s the last chance for a good impression.
“I know I’m not a top-six guy,” Wanger said. “I try to be responsible, detailed in the defensive game. I’ll try to keep doing that in these last two preseason games if I get a chance.”
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