Avs Preseason Game 1 Grades: It begins

Artem Anisimov – D

For a guy who’s fighting to keep his NHL career alive, it sure doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot left in the tank. Played over six minutes of power-play time and did nothing with it other than fumbling a few passes. The reality is that he was once a real solid NHL player, but time catches up to everyone, and with the way the Avs want to move up and down the ice, he doesn’t look like a guy who will fit in their system.

Justin Barron – C+

There’s a lot to like about his game. He’s cool as a cucumber with the puck at the offensive blue line, and it showed on the Byram goal. There were a few other plays that stood out offensively as well, with a near coast to coast rush in the second. Defensively, he’s still a work in progress and needs to learn to use his frame more. Think he’s going to get a good look here in preseason.

Alex Beaucage – D

He’s only getting graded because there are some expectations for him, and he was a bit of a no-show. Not to mention a penalty in the neutral zone, which just won’t sit well with the staff.

Shane Bowers – B-

Nothing that I saw tonight is surprising. He’s a really smart player, a good skater, and super detail-oriented, but there just isn’t going to be a ton of offense at the next level. Great screen on the Byram goal, and a few really hard-working shifts, but also some turnovers when the puck came his way. If he could pop a bit offensively, he’d really get the staff’s attention.

Cal Burke – C

Something about this guy that I like, and it might be that he seems to be a total pain in the *** to play against. Not a big guy, but plays bigger than he’s listed.

Bowen Byram – B+

First half of his game was just okay, and seemed to be really feeling things out. After his goal, he really seemed to play with a lot of confidence. It’s important to remember how little he’s been able to play over the last 18 months, but loved the offensive flair and did okay defensively. The breakaway pass to Megna using some random person’s stick was a highlight.

Pavel Francouz – C-

This preseason is all about getting Frankie back up to speed, and you could tell the timing was off immediately. The first shot that hit the post, he just looked slow to move, and it cost him. No worries, and quite frankly, he should play two more games to get him going.

Darren Helm – D

Liked his camp, but he looked like a vet going through a lot of the motions in the first preseason game, other than a few blocked shots. No concerns, as he’s got a spot locked up and no real reason to go crazy.

Jonas Johansson – D

He snuck into the game halfway through the second period and not even sure he faced a shot until the third, and then things got a little shaky. The Pietrangelo goal was not pretty, as he looked headed in the opposite direction the shot was going.

Jack Johnson – B+

Pretty clear this guy has a contract lined up, and tonight only helped his cause. I know he’s liked playing the right side in his career, and kind of showed that. His penalty was one that a lot of players are going to have to adjust to, but a good game for him with a goal and an assist on a nice breakout.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Nuke looked like Nuke. In a preseason game full of chaos, he looked in control and drew three penalties. He’s just a super-safe player but managed to stick out in a game that didn’t have a ton of talent in it.

Jacob MacDonald – D

Another game like tonight and Barron might pass him in the depth chart. Poor decisions, particularly with the puck on the powerplay, were what stood out. He was pure chaos last year but played well overall. That doesn’t matter a whole lot right now, so he’s got to be better in his next showing.

Jayson Megna – C-

A safe player for the staff to plug in when needed, and actually is capable of playing the way the Avs want to because he’s a good skater, but the puck wasn’t his best friend most of this evening. Liked the attempt at some creativity on his breakaway, though.

Logan O’Connor – C-

LOC is perfect in a fourth-line role because his energy is evident every shift. When you play 20 minutes, it’s hard to play like that for a full game. Drew a penalty, and didn’t do much other than a decent chance in the third period, but he’s got a spot locked up.

THE REST 

Let’s be honest, I could grade the rest of these guys, but no one wants to read it, nor do you really care. The rest of the guys that played in this game are headed to the AHL, and potentially the ECHL. We’ll just leave it at that.