Avs Preseason Game 4 Grades - The Evaluation Continues

The Avalanche rebounded from a poor first period and won their 4th straight preseason game, beating the Minnesota Wild 2-0.

How did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Tyson Barrie (C) – With Barrie, it’s high event hockey, and that was the case again tonight.  He was a little bit sloppy at both ends tonight, but I have really liked what I’ve seen from Barrie on the penalty kill in his two games.

Francois Beauchemin (C) – A lot like Barrie, in that he was sloppy out there as well.  He had a few questionable pinches but was otherwise just OK.

Chris Bigras (D+) – His goal was a display of his hockey IQ, as he read the play and pinched in for an easy back door goal.  Other than that, it was another tough night for him, as he was only on the ice for 3 shot attempts by the Avs.  He got outmuscled in the defensive zone in the second period by Gabriel, and it led to extended zone time for the Wild.  That’s still a concern for Bigras.  They had him playing his off-side tonight, perhaps to see how effective he can be there and to see his versatility.

Rene Bourque (C+) – After a few strong games from Bourque, he fell back down to earth a bit tonight.  He did draw a penalty and did some nice things on the PK, but was very quiet at even strength.

Joe Colborne (F) – Just an awful showing for the free agent signing.  He did not look engaged in the play at all, and the few times he had the puck, he gave it up easily.  His lack of speed is very evident and a little concerning.

J.T. Compher (B-) – That was easily the best game Compher has played in the preseason.  He was aggressive, had the puck on his stick a lot, and did good things.  He did have a poor turnover in the third that led to a breakaway against.

Eric Gelinas (B+) – Gelinas is still a bit of a mystery to a lot of Avs fans, but he’s had a good camp and was strong tonight.  He got to unleash his big shot a few times but unfortunately missed the net.  He made a nice play carrying the puck down low just prior to Soderberg’s goal.

Mikhail Grigorenko (C+) – It was a quieter game for Grigorenko tonight, but he did some good things, particularly carrying the puck into the zone and on the penalty kill.  He left the game late in the third but sounds like he’s OK.

Jarome Iginla (B+) – Iginla fit in well with the two Swedes, as they play a slower game and are less likely to lose him in the shuffle.  The pass he made to Bigras was tremendous and shows he’s still got some offensive ability left in him.

Gabriel Landeskog (B) – If the World Cup and tonight are any indication, Landeskog will at least start the season playing very aggressive.  He was a monster on the forecheck, and his aggressiveness led to both a drawn penalty and a penalty of his own.  He drew the penalty with a great power move to the front of the net.

Anton Lindholm (A-) – This guy has done nothing but improve with each and every preseason game.  He was the best defender on the night for the Avs (although he got some easier minutes).  Niederreiter tried to beat him one on one in the first period and Lindholm stood him up with ease.  It’s easy to see why the Avs like his game so much.  He’s a very smart player, and he’s always competing.

Andreas Martinsen (B) – Martinsen looks like he’s worked on his skating this summer, because he was really quick tonight.  He was particularly strong in the first, one of the few Avs players who looked ready early.

Cody McLeod (B-) – McLeod threw a few nice hits, and did well to get his shot from the point through prior to the second goal, as he had just jumped off the bench.  It’s incredibly infuriating to watch him in the offensive zone, though.  He doesn’t use his linemates at all.  He had Compher available a few times, but instead chose to just eat the puck into the corner.

Mike Sislo (C) – Sislo looks like he may see a callup this year due to injury, as he’s performed pretty well throughout camp.  He made a nice move in the NZ in the second period, but was otherwise pretty quiet.

Ben Smith (C-) – Coach Bednar seems to really like Smith, but to me, he’s just another guy.  He doesn’t do much of anything out there.  He’s not a great skater, doesn’t have much skill, and he’s only decent defensively.  He’d be a good AHL guy, but seems like he might make the team, and that’s not ideal.

Carl Soderberg (B) – Soderberg had a rougher first period, but he and Landeskog did great cycling the Wild into submission in the second period, and he hung around the net long enough to score on an extended shift.

Fedor Tyutin (C) – Tyutin had a very quiet night tonight, in that you didn’t notice him a ton, other than a poor icing in the first period.  The issue with him is that the puck very rarely ends up in the offensive zone when he’s on the ice.  In his two games, he’s only been on the ice for 6 shot attempts by the Avs, compared to the 31 attempts the opposition has taken with him out there.

Semyon Varlamov (A) – There really isn’t a whole lot to say.  Varly was tremendous.  He didn’t have to make any spectacular saves, which is perhaps the most encouraging thing.  His best moment tonight may have been a string of saves on Tuch in front of the net in the second period.  He looks ready.

Trent Vogelhuber (B) – He knows the system, so he didn’t need a ton of practice, but he battled hard in front of the net on the Soderberg goal, first with a deflection, and then with the rebound shot.  He almost had a breakaway in the first period as well.  Bednar knows him, and with his limited training camp, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play again tomorrow.

The Avalanche hit the road to take on the Dallas Stars tomorrow evening.  The game starts at 6:30 PM MST.