Avs drop second leg of back to back in 7-1 loss to Vegas

After a quick morning skate at Family Sports Center, Colorado boarded a fast flight to Las Vegas. Much of the same squad from last night’s Minnesota Wild game made the trip, which solidified the preseason spirit.

Jared Bednar confirmed the first round of reassignments would happen today possibly before and after the game.

Many of the NHL regulars stayed at home for an optional skate:

Optional skate players: Manson, MacKinnon, EJ, Byram, Lehkonen, Compher, Scott. Francouz, Annunen, Miner also working with Parkkila.

— Meghan Angley (@megangley) September 28, 2022

And the first round of reassignments were made:

First round of reassignments have been announced: pic.twitter.com/6wdQJ943xY

— Meghan Angley (@megangley) September 28, 2022

It wasn’t an entirely surprising list, though Alex Galchenyuk’s release from his professional try-out agreement was noteworthy. After not skating in either practice session yesterday and seeing Jacob MacDonald play at forward in the line rushes, the decision was likely already made early yesterday morning – even before we saw the promise of the Charles Hudon, Alex Newhook, Martin Kaut line in game action later that night.

Speaking of last night, that disappointing 5-2 loss to Minnesota was palatable compared to the hockey game tonight.

Preseason Game #️⃣4️⃣#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/jEJRO28mR7

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 29, 2022

It was a lineup filled with AHL veterans like Keaton Middleton and Andreas Englund – middle pairing players in the American League. When you think about Colorado’s shallow defensive prospect pool (specifically those with NHL upside in the immediate future) – it isn’t surprising that the Avs wanted to rest most of their regular d-corps.

There aren’t many young prospects to plug in for experience. Danila Zhuravlyov is a 22-year-old fifth-round pick who had a fine camp and preseason. Though he was reassigned Bednar, unprompted, cited Zhuravlyov as a player he felt stood out, particularly with the adjustment from the KHL to North American play in mind.

His path would lead him to the AHL to start no matter what, so it’s not a demerit.

This helps to understand the storyline of this game. The Avs d-corps is locked down for the upcoming season. There wasn’t much for this defensive group to audition for. It’s hard to imagine any one of these players building a case for the eighth d-man spot. Jacob MacDonald as a 13F-8D hybrid is a possibility I won’t rule out, but I’m more focused on the forward group.

This brings us to the lineup:

Meyers – Sedlak – O’Connor

Olausson – Maltsev – Kaut

Ranta – Foudy – Smallman

Blidh – Megna – Beaucage

Here’s the short and skinny: Val Nichushkin has returned to practice and has shed his no-contact jersey, but it’s not certain when we’ll see him back in action. It’s expected to be soon. Darren Helm continues to skate in a no-contact jersey. Gabriel Landeskog is still a ways out. Galchenyuk has been released. Ben Meyers has not settled into preseason as successfully as he did in his NHL debut last year. There aren’t exactly spots up for grabs, but there are roles that need to be filled come opening night.

Which makes this 7-1 loss to Vegas interesting. I believe it to be a symptom of a problem. It’s not a sinister or unsolvable problem, but it might be spreading.

Shane Bowers did not play tonight. Seeing the first round of cuts, it doesn’t look good for him. I had hoped for an additional preseason game. If I’m to read into that a little, tonight’s lineup reveals something of a pecking order in terms of opportunities. In the absence of Hudon, who has had a good preseason, I won’t say it’s indicative of anything with certainty.

Which makes the avoidable mistakes and sloppy play of tonight’s game confusing. There are several players fighting for a spot with plenty to play for. Every chance to play should be motivation enough to show up and show out. So, why didn’t they?

There are layers to it. Kaut was promoted to the top line in place of Meyers and Alex Beaucage (the lone goal scorer in this game) was elevated in Kaut’s place on the second line. Meyers centered the third line with Jean-Luc Foudy and Sampo Ranta.

For Kaut, it was a rightfully earned promotion due to a consistent defensive effort, strong forecheck, and overall reliability. Similarly, Beaucage led the team in shot attempts with nine and applied pressure in the offensive zone. Meyers, unfortunately, struggled in his own end along with Maltsev who was caught watching the play in what became a goal against.

“This is a time for evaluation. We’re trying to put guys in spots,” Bednar said in yesterday’s postgame. “There’s certain guys I want to see how they penalty kill because if these guys make our roster, any bottom-six forward on this team is going to have to be relied upon on the penalty kill. If they could do that well, if they could check well, they’re building equity for me. I show them stuff and then turn it loose again and see if they can fix some of the mistakes. If we see the improvement that’s a good sign.”

Special teams were a problem in the Minnesota Wild game. The penalty kill was tested only twice in this match – a Meyers hooking call and a Maltsev holding the stick. Thankfully they outlasted Vegas, but the powerplay couldn’t get one past Logan Thompson on four chances. Colorado was competitive offensively with 26 shots to Vegas’ 28, but the poor defensive zone coverage exposed them.

Notably, a Spencer Smallman turnover about midway through the first gave Vegas a 2-0 lead.

Of the forwards, Anton Blidh, Oskar Olausson, Lukas Sedlak, and Meyers had some of the least time on ice. Olausson and Meyers get some allowances, especially Olausson who is still very raw. Meyers is too, but there’s more for him to give.

Blidh and Sedlak have been given an extended look in camp so far. They spent every session with Group 1 on the fourth line with Andrew Cogliano. I just don’t think they have “it”. Sedlak has played 162 NHL games and has looked more promising in camp, but tonight he looked lost and unfamiliar with the Avs’ defensive systems. I understand due diligence, especially if they’re being eyed for call-up potential in the future, but the extended look denied valuable exposure to others from Group 2 who are struggling in these preseason games right there alongside Blidh and Sedlak.

Back to that problem, it seems like a spreading confidence issue in response to opportunity and the believability of it all. Tonight’s team didn’t look inspired like a team of players with opportunities to seize should. Save for Martin Kaut, and to a different degree Beaucage, it was an overall flat performance.

After Kaut’s revealing interview from Day 1, it was clear his confidence had taken a huge, concerning hit.

Martin Kaut knows the score. pic.twitter.com/AXMookhaIx

— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) September 22, 2022

“It’s always hard here for young guys or prospects because Colorado is the best team in NHL and it will be for next five years or so,” Kaut added that day. “I’ll be happy if I can make it. I don’t care what role or line. I just want to be here in the NHL.”

I’m glad to see a more confident, purposeful response from Kaut’s preseason play. It’s been solid. I’m worried about the younger prospects in his wake who may be plagued by a similar tinge of despondent hopelessness.

Before I wander too close to that ledge, it is just one game. After all, the purpose of preseason and training camp is learning. It’s a dual-pronged approach intended aid players in their development through experience and to help the organization evaluate the fit of players for short-term and future roles. The accountability is also dual-pronged.

Whether it’s a confidence issue or not, the responsibility for players to find the necessary motivation to impress is theirs. I wouldn’t say it’s theirs alone, but they have ownership of it. I expect more reassignments to come tomorrow, and I think Colorado will be looking at this game very closely.