The Good, the Bad and the Arrggh-ly from Avalanche training camp

The official start of the Colorado Avalanche training camp began this past week and in keeping with today, September 19, is International “Talk Like a Pirate Day”, the roundup of good, bad, and ‘arrggh-ly’ will tend to the roguish. Avast ye’ matey’s – fasten yer jib and bring ‘der booty!

‘DER BOOTY (THE GOOD)

1. The Avalanche launched into preseason with 56 players, including ye’ bloody pirate Matt Duchene. Considering the protracted trade rumors, questions arose when he did not show for the ‘voluntary’ captain’s skates. But Duchene showed and camp went on, with a good mix of veterans, AHL’ers, and juniors.

2. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov finally reached an agreement with the Avalanche for a reasonable $2,150,000 a year annual salary over the next two years after working out a last minute deal. He be getting’ a might good share of dem’ doubloons for his record.

3. The Captain Gabriel Landeskog (from hereon referred to as Cap’n Flow) appeared on a line with center Tyson Jost and speedy wing Rocco Grimaldi and ‘der be treasure in dem’ der line. Cap’n Flow skated well throughout camp and seemed comfortable in his leadership role. And remember mateys, any pirate worthy of the name know ye’ defy the cap’n at yer own risk. Long live the cap’n!

4. While the coaching staff rotated defensive pairs (line combinations seemed to be more of ‘guidelines’), Anton Lindholm and Andrei Mironov spent a lot of time skating together and looked solid in the Burgundy and White game. Even better, they had stiff competition in camp from the likes of Duncan Siemens, Chris Bigras, Nicolas Meloche and Sergei Boikov. It has been awhile since the Avalanche had this kind of developmental depth in the organization. Rum drinks fer all!

5. While the Avalanche iced a lot of forwards at camp, nothing compared to the Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Sven Andrighetto line who launched themselves at such speed, no one really compared. They exuded energy on the ice and they dominated the offensive zone. Unfortunately, MacKinnon’s love of the pipes seems to have carried over from last year. Shooting is not his issue. Getting the puck in the net is. Maybe an eye patch would help?

6. All the veterans showed up in peak physical condition. Apparently, they channeled their frustration from last year’s disappointing season into their off ice workouts. Or they got the memo the coaching staff would be hammering on conditioning. Either way, the players appeared to be in some of the best physical shape of their lives.

7. Forwards Alexander Kerfoot and Nail Yakupov continue to battle for roster spots. And it looks like the coaches are considering one. The two spent most of camp on a line with Duchene and they seemed to develop some chemistry. The competition will continue to heat up as preseason starts – which can only be good for the Avalanche. Hoist the mains and fasten your jib – as der be strong winds comin’!

8. Breaking with tradition, the Avalanche posted links for watching all three Rookie Showcase games. There be gold in dem’ der treasure!

REALLY BAD EGGS (THE BAD)

1. The delay in working out Zadorov’s contract created problems for clearing up work visa issues so Zadorov has yet to hit the ice in an Avalanche uniform. Might be time for certain pencil pushers to be walking the plank. Ye’ know who we be talkin’ about ye’ scallywags!

2. The number of injuries raised a red flag. Mark Barberio, Joe Colborne, Colin Wilson, Joe Cannata and Tyson Jost are just some of the players who missed all or part of training camp due to injuries. For someone like Colborne, who could use a good preseason after last year, his position in the lineup could be in jeopardy. The Avalanche need to raise the Jolly Roger and take no prisoners. Follow the pirate code – contribute or leave. Because training camp showed a number of hungry players waiting in the wings. And who wants really bad eggs?

3. One would think one-eyed pirate Carl Soderberg would be at the top of any pirate list. However, his line with Blake Comeau and Matt Nieto did not distinguish themselves from the up and comers on the roster like J.T. Compher, A. J. Greer, Rocco Grimaldi, and Alexander Kerfoot. They must elevate their game or they be in danger of creating some tough questions for the front office. Soderberg and Comeau earn a combined $7,150,000 and it’s hard to imagine the organization burying that much salary in the AHL. On the other hand, the Avalanche need to prove to their fan base they will ice the best players or face dwindling numbers of season ticket holders. Very bad eggs indeed.

4. Ye won’t be catching yer favorite band of scallywags in all der preseason games as only the ones against the scurvy dogs of Las Vegas will be televised. Or ye can attend the home matchups in person. There may be black spots in the future for those lily-livered programmin’ jacks.

THE ARRGGHLY – A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR THEM

1. Near the end of a near-perfect first day of training camp for Tyson Jost, he left the ice after one of the bag skates holding his groin. He sat for a bit in the box before heading to the dressing room and has not skated with the team since. Jost represents one of the keys to the new season and one can only hope he has a speedy recovery. Also, the Avalanche should take care not to rush him back too quickly as no one wants to see repeated issues as happened with goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Avast ye’ injury bug!

2. Forward A.J. Greer took a shot to the groin and while he continued to play on the first day of camp, he struggled with the bag skates at the end of the day. But he be a true pirate and returned to skate the next day, even though it appeared there may be lingering effects. Greer already sports stitches on his upper lip – from training camp. Drink ye’ a toast to one worthy to be called pirate!

3. Hoist a salute to a couple of true pirates – on ice. Erik Johnson, on the second day of camp as they competed in timed laps at the end of practice, passed Sergei Boikov on three separate occasions. The veteran made the worst part of camp look easy.

Not to be overlooked, forward Rocco Grimaldi pushed through his timed laps on the second day as well, passing Nicolas Meloche and catching up to Gabriel Bourque.

Yo ho yo ho – a pirate’s life for them!

4. Some scrubs be returning to their teams already – Sam Brittain (goaltender), Josh Anderson (defenseman), Tom Gregoire (defenseman), Hugo Roy (center) and Ben Storm (forward). They be getting’ some polishin’ in other leagues but me hearties showed promise for bein’ buried treasures.

WHAT TO WATCH (OR LISTEN TO) – AHOY MATEYS!

1. Ye’ can watch yer’ favorite band of privateers and scallywags face off against the scurvy Las Vegas Golden Knights for the Avalanche’s first preseason game Tuesday night at 7 pm. Should be a grand time to cheer on yer swashbucklin’ buccaneers!

2. On Thursday, Sept. 21, the Avalanche will host dem ne’er do wells the Dallas Stars at 7 pm. If ye’ can’t be there in person, yer only option is to listen to the corsair Marc Moser on Altitude radio. That will be true of all other games except the final one against the sons of biscuit eaters in Las Vegas.

3. The Avalanche will need a cat o’ nine tails for taking down the scurvy dogs – the Minnesota Wild – in back to back games over the weekend. If they don’t send the scallywags to Davy Jones’ locker on Saturday at 4 pm in Minnesota, may they keelhaul them at home on Sunday at 5 pm.

4. On Monday at 6:30 pm, the brave Colorado buccaneers will travel to Dallas to face the scallywags – the Dallas Stars – and make them walk the plank.

5. The Avalanche will be whittlin’ down their roster, sending some sprogs (untrained recruits) off to San Antonio or elsewhere. Me mateys at BSN will be keepin’ ye’ abreast of all the goin’s ons so ye’ need not fear.

Until next time, partake of some grog, hasten the booty and may you find fair winds and following seas!

Yo ho! (and a bottle of rum)