Avalanche Training Camp 2016: Preview & Live Thread

Good morning all. The Avalanche hit the ice as a team for the first time since the departure of Patrick Roy and begin the reinvention process for real. For once the prospects have a leg up on the vets having just completed a week of Rookie Camp and instruction on the new tactics and systems. Instead of guessing what we will see it’s a little easier to lay out what we won’t see in the next couple of days. Let’s take a look:

The players involved in the World Cup

Even though MacKinnon and Johnson have been eliminated all we’ve heard is that EJ plans to be back on Sunday. Duchene, Landy & Soderberg will likely be detained for another week and Varly won’t be available until Monday at the earliest.

Mikko and the other walking wounded

Mikko Rantanen suffered an ankle injury in the Rookie Showcase and last we heard will be out for another few weeks. Avs 2016 7th rounder Travis Barron hurt his knee and Camp Invitee Jackson Houck injured his shoulder, also in the Showcase, and are iffy for camp. There may be others of course.

Fully functional new systems

We’re all dying to know how Jared Bednar is going to raise the level of what’s perceived as an underperforming roster over the past few years, but that’s a process and will take all of pre-season and beyond. No coach shows his full hand in public until it matters. On the bright side we should see enough to get an idea if it’s working.

Meaningful line/pair combinations

We all remember the thrill of seeing the Viking line in camp last year but unfortunately it was a fleeting glimpse of what could be rather than the beginning of something special. With 5 forwards slotted for the NHL squad unavailable we’re going to see some wacky lines, no reason to freak out if Joe Colbourne is centering the 1st line or Blake Comeau is on the top PP unit. If that’s happening at the final pre-season game in Vegas, ok, start freaking out.

Dave’s not here man

JB mentioned yesterday that Nolan Pratt will be running the defense and penalty kill which leaves assistant coach Dave Farrish without a defined role for the moment. Will he be on the ice at all? Will he be in Colorado at all? Stay tuned.

Schedule

Friday:
Group 1 - 8:45am to 10:15am
Group 2 - 10:45am to 12:30pm

Saturday
Group 1 - 8:45am to 10:15am
Group 2 - 10:45am to 12:30pm

Sunday
Burgundy/White Game 3pm at Magness Arena, broadcast on Altitude TV and AltRadio950

All times Mountain

Roster

59 players are listed
3 Pro Try-outs - Gabe Bourque, Rene Bourque, Jiri Tlusty
3 Amateur Try-Outs - Jackson Houck, Brogan O-Brien, Jeffrey Truchon-Viel
4 players on AHL contracts - Shawn St Amant, Cole Sanford, Nathan Lieuwen, Kent Simpson
36 Forwards (holy shit!)
17 Defensemen
6 Goalies

Positional Roster

Numerical Roster

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As usual we’ll have copious twitter updates in the comments and some reviews by those on the scene. The season inches closer, enjoy!