So, just like the Rookie Faceoff the Avalanche are 0-3 in the NHL preseason. Luckily, just as I argued in the case of those results, preseason isn’t so much about a win-loss record. What matters now are individual performances that impress the coaching staff.
The Avalanche are in an interesting position right now with three top-six forwards who will be missing when the season opens. Of course we know about still-rehabbing captain Gabriel Landeskog and the suspension status of Valeri Nichushkin. Although their returns are expected, their absence will loom large over the early season. Artturi Lehkonen will also miss time as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
In addition, the defensive room looks pretty packed. The organization was active on that front in the offseason with signings, but the third pairing might surprise folks on opening night.
In other words, the door is clearly open for some prospects or vets to earn ice-time. This slideshow will showcase guys I thought were effective in proving why they deserve a shot with the big club.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
Sure, the scoresheet in the first game against Dallas featured other names, most notably Calum Ritchie. But for me, the play of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was exactly what you wanted to see. Bellemare is with Colorado on a PTO, and he knows what he needs to do.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was the most experienced guy suited up for the Avalanche and he did the little things the team expects. He won faceoffs, a Colorado weakness, and he played solid structurally. This is what you need from a fourth-line player who will see some duty on the PK in regular season games.
Speaking of penalties, there were a boatload in the preseason opener. So many in fact, that I lost count. We saw three 5-on-3 situations in the game, which is never good. I believe all three ended with a puck in the net.
While it doesn’t make a lot of sense to judge young guys on the fringe of pro contracts playing in situations they absolutely won’t see later on in the year, it’s still useful as a way to assess adversity.
I may be reading more into things than is necessary, but I also liked that Bellemare was wearing an A on his sweater in the game. If nothing else, it speaks to a coach’s trust level in a player. Now maybe it just means that Bednar believes Bellemare knows the systems better, that could be true. But that is also an endorsement of his confidence. After some years away from Colorado, that feels even more meaningful.
Throughout the year, the team will need gutsy guys. Certainly they will need guys who can win some tough faceoffs in the defensive zone. Before the game on Monday, the Avalanche extended Logan O’Connor. LOC is a key contributor on Colorado’s PK. Bellemare makes a lot of sense on that unit as well.
Yes, it may have been a loss, and messy at that, but through a lot, the team hung in there until literal last-second luck won it for the Stars.
