Colorado Avalanche: 3 Players Who Must Shine v LA
Three players have to make a great impression against the LA Kings if they want to secure their future with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Colorado Avalanche are hosting the Los Angeles Kings for their third preseason game. They come into this game like the Denver Broncos — undefeated.
Whether or not they remain undefeated is unimportant. (I’m back to talking about the Avs.) It’s the preseason, so games don’t count.
What does count is bubble players trying to make the roster. While ice time might be up in the air, certain core players know they’ll be skating on opening night. A lot of the role players can be pretty assured of being on the roster, too.
I figure there’s as many as six roster spots still up for grabs, most of them in the forward position. There might be a little competition for third pairing defenseman, too.) Let’s look at three players who really need to have a big night against the LA Kings to help show they deserve a roster spot.
Nikita Zadorov
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Nikita Zadorov is the kind of big, passionate, hard-hitting defenseman that was highly prized in the old system. However, the new system is being constructed around fast defensive zone exits.
That’s not to say Big Z is incapable of such play. He actually is. Zadorov is a European-trained skater — meaning fluid. And with that size comes a long stride and fast skating. Nikita can also score, which requires having some good puck handling skills.
Passion and grit aren’t going to be enough in the new system. Zadorov simply needs to prove he can be disciplined enough to show the more refined aspects of his game.
J.T. Compher
J.T. Compher has played in both games thus far, but he doesn’t have a point to show for it. Compher, like Zadorov, was one of the pieces that came over in the Ryan O’Reilly trade.
Compher has already described the kind of game he wants to play in the preseason:
“I want to show the all-around game I can play. I want to be hard to play against, physical.”
J.T. has been playing for the University of Michigan. However, he wants to transition into professional play. It’s highly likely he spends a little time in the AHL. However, it’s certain the left wing would like to make an impression on the coaches right now.
Rene Bourque
Right wing Rene Bourque is on a Paid Tryout contract with the Colorado Avalanche. These types of situations usually don’t result in a contract… except sometimes they do. A PTO ended up in Jack Skille playing for the Avs last season.
Rene Bourque has come into training camp and the preseason showing he wants his story to go that way. Bourque spent the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, which practically makes him a shoe-in.
However, he still has to put his time in, and he’s been putting it in pretty impressively. Against the hated Minnesota Wild he scored a goal and an assist. He didn’t play against the Dallas Stars, but he’s got the nod for tonight’s game.
Funny Side Note: There are three Bourque’s playing tonight. Well, two (Rene and Gabriel) plus a Bourke (Troy). We all hope they’re in on a goal together.
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