Their careers at a crossroad, two Avs are in danger of being left behind

“They’ve got something to prove, for me.”

Those were the words of Jared Bednar on the eve of Avalanche training camp last week when asked about A.J. Greer and Vladislav Kamenev. While the two of them have had very different paths in the Avs organization, both are in the most pivotal training camps of their careers.

No longer on their entry-level contracts, the two young forwards signed one-year “show me” deals this summer. Once Mikko Rantanen gets extended, the Avs will have 12 “one-way” contracts amongst their forward group, with Tyson Jost being the 13th forward in the rotation.

The numbers don’t look good for the two waiver-eligible youngsters, but don’t tell them that.

“Not at all,” Greer said when asked if he is approaching this camp any differently on just a one year deal. “For me, just to be the hardest working guy out there. To be the best that I can be and excel in the things that I do best. I’ve never been better prepared than I am now.”

Speaking exclusively to BSN Denver, the soft-spoken Kamenev made it clear that he’s ready, and has been, to be a full-time NHL player.

“I think so,” Kamenev said after practice on Sunday, when asked if he’s ready to be full time in the NHL. “I was ready to go last year too, but I had some injury at the beginning of the year so I started playing in the AHL.”

Injuries, unfortunately, have been the story of Kamenev’s career in Colorado. Since being acquired in the infamous Matt Duchene trade in November of 2017, the 23-year-old has been limited to only 35 games total in the organization.

For two straight years, his seasons have more or less ended on long term injuries caused by hits. Just when he was starting to become a regular in the Avs lineup last year, a shoulder injury in a blowout loss to Tampa Bay prematurely ended his season.

“Yeah, of course, especially for the second year in a row,” Kamenev said when asked if the playoff runs have been tough to watch with not being able to help. “It happens almost from nothing. The second one, for sure.”

Still, the young Russian feels “more confident” this year, and has shown well in camp. During the scrimmage on Sunday, he stole the puck on the forecheck, moments later finishing the play off with a great shot, and on Monday he stood out in practice with his precision passing on the power play and willingness to put the puck on net at any moment. Kamenev is ready to play as much as he needs to in the preseason to impress the coaching staff.

“I will play as many games as they want me,” he said. “It’s not my choice. If they tell me, I will play.”

For the 22-year-old Greer, things are a little different. He’s dealt with questions about his maturity, and while he’s shown flashes at the NHL level, he’s only been able to stick with the Avs for 37 games spread across his three professional seasons. Coming off his best season in the AHL with 44 points in 54 games for the Colorado Eagles, and feeling “like a much happier person”, Greer may not have much left to prove in the AHL. He looks at it a different way.

“It’s not about something that I have to prove,” he said after Monday’s practice. “These last three years I think I’ve done really well, and I’m going to continue to do really well wherever I am. I know my abilities. Wherever I am, I’m going to be the best player I can be. I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities in the AHL, and I’ve produced, and going forward I’m not going to change my set of skills.”

Much like Kamenev, Greer has shown well through the four-day training camp. On Saturday, Bednar made it a point to mention that it was “one of the best practices Greer has had in all of his time with us. He looks improved.” The former second round pick has spent most of camp with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and the chemistry has been immediate.

“He’s a really good guy,” Greer said about Bellemare. “It’s funny because when we first met each other, we had a scuffle in Vegas, and we immediately laughed it off. He brings a leadership element to his game. He’s really vocal and I need someone like that because I’m vocal as well. I felt really comfortable playing on his line and being around him. There was chemistry there and I hope I get to play with him again.”

Strong showings in camp are just the first step to making the team. With just six preseason games to show they’re worthy, Greer and Kamenev now enter the next phase in their search for a roster spot.

Let the battle begin.