"I want to be better": Joonas Donskoi hoping he and Avs take next step together

Like all of the players, Joonas Donskoi found himself huffing and puffing after the annual conditioning testing on Friday morning. Being one of the Avs new additions, and one who has made many trips to the Pepsi Center on the opposing team, I had to ask: Is the altitude effect a real thing?

“It’s real,” Donskoi said after the third day of camp. “Colorado is a tough place to play in when you’re visiting. It’s tough.”

That’s something the 27-year-old Finn won’t have to worry about anymore. After signing a four-year contract with the Avalanche in the summer, he decided it would be best to show up early in Colorado and get as used to the altitude as quickly he could.

“Now I’m fine,” he told BSN Denver on Sunday. “The first couple of weeks it was tough getting used to the altitude. I’m used to it now.”

Coming off the best season of his career in San Jose, the Avs were eager to snag the winger in free agency, making him their top priority and first acquisition of unrestricted free agency. With 14 goals and 37 points last season in San Jose, Donskoi would have finished sixth amongst Avs forwards in scoring.

Still, part of the reason why he chose Denver is that he thinks he has another level he can reach. At an annual cap hit of $3.9M per year, the Avs are banking on that.

“I’m looking to take the next step in my career,” Donskoi made clear on Sunday. “I haven’t showed my best the four years I’ve been in the league. This is kind of a fresh start for myself. I want to be better.”

Donskoi has wasted no time fitting in with his new teammates. He was one of the better skaters through the first two days of training camp. On Sunday, he opened the scoring in the scrimmage on just his first shift, skating effortlessly through the neutral zone before crossing the blue line and beating Pavel Francouz with a wrister.

Although he looks to have fit in seamlessly with his new teammates, that doesn’t mean Donskoi wasn’t on edge before camp started, having known only Matt Nieto before joining.

“To be honest, I was pretty nervous,” he said. “I was super excited to come, but this is the first time for me switching a team. I played for the Sharks for four years, and before that, I was in the Finnish league always with the same team. It’s new talent for me and I couldn’t wait to get going.”

The hype around this Avalanche team is growing, and players around the league are taking notice. That’s been a constant theme the new acquisitions have pointed out this weekend, and Donskoi was no different.

“I really liked the Avs team last year,” Donskoi stated. “The organization is heading in the right direction. There’s a lot of good young guys who have become great players in the NHL, and I feel like the game style fits my style here too. I really like the team.”

The Avalanche are looking to take off and join the NHL’s elite, and if the first few days of camp are any indication, Donskoi’s career may take off with them.