Avalanche playoff roster officially announced

The NHL announced all of the 31-player rosters at the same time on Sunday afternoon and Colorado’s featured a couple of small surprises.

The breakdown of Colorado’s roster resulted in 17 forwards, 11 defensemen, and three goaltenders.

The only forward cut from Colorado’s training camp was the minor surprise of the day as Vladislav Kamenev will not join the team in Edmonton.

Jacob MacDonald was the lone defenseman cut and Adam Werner was the fourth goaltender in the expected three-goaltender setup.

For MacDonald and Werner, it was a good experience as they prepare for big roles as members of the Colorado Eagles next year.

For Kamenev, however, this is certainly something more ominous. Following a career-high 38 games played, Kamenev seemed like a sure thing as part of Colorado’s deep forward corps.

While there have been issues getting him to consistently play the kind of style head coach Jared Bednar wants, it’s still a surprise that on a 17-forward depth chart with the Stanley Cup on the line, a player with 38 games played isn’t even getting the opportunity to travel with the team.

Among the forwards taken ahead of him are T.J. Tynan, Logan O’Connor, Sheldon Dries, Shane Bowers. With Bowers having never played an NHL game, the other three all appeared in games for the Avs this season, combining for 37 games played, two goals (both by O’Connor), one assist (Tynan), for a total of three points.

Despite Kamenev’s struggles, he still recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his 38 games. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, this isn’t a promising sign he remains in the team’s future plans. Should the Avs choose not to offer him a qualifying offer, Kamenev would be an unrestricted free agent this fall.

On the positive side of the roster announcements, the Avalanche decided to bring youngsters Bowers, Conor Timmins (a star in camp), and Bowen Byram.

Bowers and Timmins had strong pro debut seasons with the Eagles last year but Byram jumps straight from juniors and heads into the bubble with the Avalanche as they look to give him consistent practice time with the club.

All three are considered vital parts of the future and along with Martin Kaut, who was not invited due to contract reasons, could slide on to the NHL roster as soon as next year.

Speaking of contract issues, there are none with Bowers and Timmins, whose ELCs have already begun, but there is a potential contract conversation with Byram.

It’s unlikely they ever get to that point but Byram will have nine games to play before his ELC begins. That’s more than a full round in the best-of-seven format so in the very unlikely event Byram even plays one game, him getting to nine would force another decision from the Avs about starting a contract or sitting a player to preserve their ELC as they’ve chosen to do with Kaut.

Regardless of all that, the Avs arrive in Edmonton today and play their only exhibition game on Wednesday against Minnesota.

This is the roster that will look to chase down Colorado’s third Stanley Cup:

ColoradoAvalanchePhase4Roster