Avalanche Prospect Report: Greer continues to shine

Nick Leivermann (32GP – 7G, 20A) – 2017 Round 7, Pick 187 (Penticton Vees – BCHL)

After having their winning streak snapped last week, the Penticton Vees are now on a three-game slide, losing both outings this week. Leivermann was held off the scoresheet in both losses as well. An overall uncharacteristic week for Penticton and Nick Leivermann.

Dec. 15: @ West Kelowna Warriors

L (OT) 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: vs Nanaimo Clippers

L 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Conor Timmins (28 GP – 6G, 28A) – 2017 Round 2, Pick 32 (Soo Greyhounds – OHL)

Conor Timmins spent this week at the Canadian World Junior Championships Selection Camp. Colorado’s top-tier defensive prospect proved that he was just that, beating out some of the best defensemen (that aren’t currently in the NHL) to win a spot on the roster. Timmins was considered “on the bubble” in regards to making the Canadian WJC roster coming into the season, but thanks to his strong start with the Soo Greyhounds, and impressive camp, he will take on the best U20 players in the world next week in Buffalo.

Travis Barron (32 GP – 7G, 19A) – 2016 Round 7, Pick 191 (Ottawa 67’s – OHL)

After being shut out in two of three games last week, the Ottawa 67’s finally got back in the win column this week. Likewise, Barron got back on the scoresheet after going pointless in consecutive contests. The 67’s are having a… challenging season. Finding themselves on the losing end of things more often than not. As captain, it’s nice to see Barron will his team to a win. You need more of that from your leader.

Dec. 10: vs Sudbury Wolves

L (SO) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 8: @ Peterborough Petes

W 5-2 – 0G, 2A

Ty Lewis (33 GP – 17G, 38A) – Undrafted (Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL)

It was a slow week for Brandon Wheat Kings stand out Ty Lewis, picking up only two points in three games. The Wheat Kings also suffered a rare blow out loss at the hands of the Moose Jaw Warriors. With as good as Lewis has been, it was just a little bit surprising he didn’t even get an invite to Team Canada’s Selection Camp. It is important to remember that he’s an over-ager, which most likely played a part in that decision for Canada.

Dec. 12: vs Kamloops Blazers

W 3-2 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 15: vs Lethbridge Hurricanes

W 3-0 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: @ Moose Jaw Warriors

L 7-4 – 0G, 1A

Nick Henry (17 GP – 4G, 9A) – 2017 Round 4, Pick 94 (Regina Pats – WHL)

Definitely Regina’s worst week since Nick Henry’s return, dropping three games that, with one exception, really weren’t very competitive. It’s hard to put much blame on any one player, as the team as a whole was underwhelming. That said, Henry only managed a single point all week. Which is the slightest bit disappointing given how well he was performing as of late.

Dec. 13: vs Kamloops Blazers

L 3-0 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Saskatoon Blades

L (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: vs Lethbridge Hurricanes

L 6-2 – 0G, 1A

Josh Anderson – 2016 Round 3, Pick 71 (Prince George Cougars – WHL)

After playing just one game last week, the Prince George Cougars had a full schedule this week. Playing is always fun, losing is not, and the Cougars did a lot of that in their most recent four-game stretch. Anderson and his team managed only one win but Colorado’s third-round pick in 2016 got on the scoresheet once, with an assist, in the team’s lone victory.

Dec. 10: vs Victoria Royals

L (OT) 5-4 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 12: vs Victoria Royals

W 5-4 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 15: @ Seattle Thunderbirds

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: @ Everett Silvertips

L 3-0 – 0G, 0A

Nate Clurman (20 GP – 0G, 3A) – 2016 Round 6, Pick 161 (Tri-City Storm – USHL)

In what is becoming the most predictable part of the BSN Denver prospect report, Nate Clurman was held pointless once again this week as the Tri-City Storm split their back-to-back set with Dubuque. There’s a chance Clurman just isn’t very good folks.

Dec. 15: vs Dubuque Fighting Saints

L 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: vs Dubuque Fighting Saints

W 1-0 – 0G, 0A

Gustav Olhaver (25 GP – 5G, 4A) – 2015 Round 7, Pick 191 (IK Oskarshamn – Allsvenskan)

Two wins last week, two losses this week. Olhaver’s team only put two pucks in the net between both games, and Olhaver wasn’t able to build on his strong play from last week as he was held off the board for IK Oskarshamn. Olhaver still needs to find some consistency in his game in order for him to take the next step.

Dec. 13: @ IF Björklöven

L 5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 16: @ MODO Hockey

L  3-1 – 0G, 0A

Adam Werner ( 24 GP – 2.83 GAA, .896 sv%) – 2016 Round 5, Pick 131 ( IF Björklöven – Allsvenskan)

Adam Werner is a puzzling one. It seems like he either plays lights out or looks like Antti Niemi out there. Werner got the nod twice this week, picking up a win against fellow Avalanche prospect Gustav Olhaver, and then losing a game where he was leaky. As has been the trend all season for Werner, consistency is a major problem.

Dec. 6: vs Almtuna IS

W 5-1 – 1GA, .952 Save Percentage

Dec 16: @ Timrå IK

L 3-2 – 3GA, .863 Save Percentage

Petr Kvaca ( 20 GP – 1.63 GAA, .926 sv%) – 2017 Round 4, Pick 114 (ČEZ Motor České Budějovice – Czech 2)

It was a bye week for Kvaca’s team, their next game is on Monday the 18th of December.

Igor Shvyrov (22 GP – 1G, 0A) – 2017 Round 5, Pick 125 (Metallurg Mg – KHL)

Mettallurg played just one game this week, and Shvyrov actually got on the ice! Unfortunately it was only for 14 seconds. Yes, that’s correct, Igor Shvyrov logged just 14 seconds in his team’s loss. As you can guess, he didn’t pick up ay points.

Dec. 8: @ Jokerit

L (SO) 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Cam Morrison (20 GP 4G, 8A)- 2016 Round 2, Pick 40 (Notre Dame – NCAA)

The Fighting Irish are done until the new year. After sweeping Wisconsin last week, they will enjoy several weeks off.

Denis Smirnov (12 GP – 9G, 8A) – 2017 Round 6, Pick 156 (Penn State – NCAA)

Just like Notre Dame, Penn State swept their opponent last week, and will not play again until 2018.

Shane Bowers (19 GP – 8G, 6A) – 2017 Round 1, Pick 28 (Boston University – NCAA)

If you haven’t figured it out by now, the NCAA is mostly shutting down for winter break. Nothing new to report for the Terriers until they take on the U18 US Development Program team on January 5th, 2018.

Cale Makar (16 GP – 1G, 8A)— 2017 Round 1, Pick 4 (UMass Amherst – NCAA)

So the NCAA is done for a few weeks, Cale Makar is not. Makar will be representing his team at the WJCs for the first time. He was slotted into Canada’s top 4 out of selection camp. This is by far going to be Makar’s biggest test as far as how he stacks up against top-flight competition. You’re definitely going to want to tune into the World Junior Championships starting this week.

Mason Geertsen (25 Gp – 2G, 1A) – 2013 Round 4, Pick 93 (SA Rampage – AHL)

The Rampage had a nice week for themselves, including beating the Rockford IceHogs and the Cleveland Monsters back to back. Geertsen, however, didn’t do anything as far as scoring goes. Geertsen really needs to start producing a little bit more if he’s going to have any hope of ever jumping to the NHL.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Julien Nantel (19 GP – 6G, 0A) – 2014 Round 7, Pick 204 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Nantel went two more games without a point before finally getting a goal in San Antonio’s final game of the week. He’s going to need to do more offensively if he wants to stick long-term in the AHL.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 1G, 0A

AJ Greer (11 GP – 6G, 2A) – 2015 Round 2, Pick 39 (SA Rampage – AHL)

We got a glimpse of what we’ve been hoping for out of AJ Greer. He scored a dazzling goal against the Ontario Reign, and then put another one home in the team’s victory against Cleveland. If he can stay healthy, we’re going to get a good look at what he can do.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 1G, 0A

Nicolas Meloche (3 GP – 0G, 0A)-  2015 Round 2, Pick 40 (Colorado Eagles – ECHL)

Meloche got his first taste of ECHL action this week after being demoted. And he looked totally out of place. Meloche controlled all 200 feet of the ice and won seemingly every board battle. Since he wasn’t getting ice time in San Antonio, playing heavy minutes in Loveland may be what is best for him right now.

Dec. 13: vs Wichita Thunder

W 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: @ Tulsa Oilers

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: @ Kansas City Mavericks

W 2-1 – 0G, 0A

JC Beaudin (6 GP – 1G, 2A) – 2015 Round 3, Pick 71 (SA Rampage – AHL)

JC Beaudin found himself out of the lineup all week. Not good for a player that is trying to prove he can stick at this level.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – Scratched

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – Scratched

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – Scratched

Rocco Grimaldi (19 GP – 9G, 6A) – 2011 Round 2, Pick 33 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Very uncharacteristic for Rocco Grimaldi this week. No points in three games. Every player goes through slumps at all levels, so no reason to worry here.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Chris Bigras (8 GP – 0G, 1A) – 2013 Round 2, Pick 32 (SA Rampage – AHL)

It’s getting close to panic time here. Bigras has managed only one point since his reassignment to the Rampage. Bigras’ game took a big step last year, and it looked like he had gotten back on track when he made the NHL club out of camp. But this stint with Colorado’s AHL affiliate has “last year” written all over it.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Andrei Mironov (11 GP – 1G, 4A) – 2015 Round 4, Pick 101 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Not much to report for Mironov this week as far as points go. But he continues to work on adjusting his play to play in North America, which is what you want for him. He’s not expected to be a major point producer, But Mironov has the potential to develop that part of his game as he gets more comfortable on this side of the pond.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Spencer Martin ( 18 GP – 2.73 GAA, .903 sv%) – 2013 Round 3, Pick 63 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Spencer Martin only got 60 minutes of game action this week. The Avalanche splitting an AHL team this year is really not what you want for Martin and his development. Especially after his worrisome training camp.

Dec. 10: vs Ontario Reign

L (OT)  3-2 – 3 GA

Dec. 14: vs Cleveland Monsters

W 4-2 – Did not play

Dec. 15: vs Rockford IceHogs

W (SO) 2-1 – Did not play

Injured Reserve

Colorado has two prospects that are out indefinitely with injuries. Kamenev is now in a hard cast, and while the team has yet to comment officially, it appears he had surgery, and is now in the recovery phase of his injury. He has been working out at team facilities for about a week now. Boikov has yet to play in any games this year as his injury was sustained in training camp.