The Mars Volchenkov
Registered User
Everyone by now probably knows that I'm a huge fan of attending training camp. I tend to pay more attention to the scrimmages than practices because anyone can look good in a controlled practice setting (See: Zanon, Greg, 2013 TC). I will absolutely be attending both days of training camp again this year, as well as the B+W game and first pre-season game and will give my thoughts after again. We've already got the individual threads on the main guys on the team, but I wanted to focus on the fringe guys that I'll definitely be focusing on come late next week. Depth in this organization is still an issue, IMO, so strong performances from these guys further down the depth chart can only help this team improve.
The guy I might be focusing on most...
Mike Sgarbossa - I think anyone who attended TC last year would agree he was easily the biggest disappointment. Coming off a promising rookie year as a pro, he looked out of shape and didn't display any of the skill that had made him look like such a strong prospect after his year in Lake Erie. He didn't even make it into a pre-season game, which shows how poorly he played in camp. Maybe TC doesn't mean much in the long run, but Sgarbossa followed up his rough training camp with a forgettable year in Lake Erie. A bounce back year for Sgarbossa would be huge for the organization, because he's clearly very talented and this team needs all the depth it can get up front. He's become the forgotten man around here after his down year.
Duncan Siemens - It seems like the Avs are fine with developing Siemens slowly, but it was still surprising that a former 11th overall pick was one of the first cuts out of training camp. I don't think he had a bad camp last year, but he didn't standout. That being said, I think this is a huge year for Siemens and he has to show the organization something. 3 of the 4 LD on the Avs roster do not have contracts beyond this coming season, and all of those LD are defensive guys, much like Siemens. There is going to be a spot for him next season if he earns it, but he's got to start showing a bit more. Some of these young, cheap players stepping into the NHL soon are going to be huge given the big contracts the Avs are going to have to hand out to the main guys.
Joey Hishon - If only because the poor ******* hasn't been able to participate in a training camp since turning pro. You can't make an impression with the NHL staff if you can't get on the ice.
Mitch Heard - I thought he was a pleasant surprise last year. Granted, he was centering Landeskog and Tanguay all camp, so you can't really look bad, but he showed off more skill than I thought he had (and awesome hair). He hasn't been able to show much in the AHL, but he was a relatively high draft pick only two years ago, so he's going to need to start showing more. With McLeod on the last year of his deal, an agitator role could open up next year.
Pickard/Aittokallio/Will - I anticipate all three of them being in training camp, but I don't anticipate all three of them being in the organization much further beyond that. One of these goalies has to step up, because Berra still is going to scare a lot of people.
Stefan Elliott - I think this one is a little more obvious. It may be his last chance. He got beat out by two career journeymen last year, and now he's got to win a spot amongst the massive amounts of bottom pairing/fringe guys looking to stick on the big team. It's the same issues as since he's turned pro: Everyone knows what he can do offensively, but he's still so soft and weak defensively. I have to imagine other NHL teams will be watching closely as well, given his waiver status.
Obviously there are a lot of other younger guys to look out for, but I think these are the most important ones in the organization, at least at this moment. I'm excited for this season to get started.
The guy I might be focusing on most...
Mike Sgarbossa - I think anyone who attended TC last year would agree he was easily the biggest disappointment. Coming off a promising rookie year as a pro, he looked out of shape and didn't display any of the skill that had made him look like such a strong prospect after his year in Lake Erie. He didn't even make it into a pre-season game, which shows how poorly he played in camp. Maybe TC doesn't mean much in the long run, but Sgarbossa followed up his rough training camp with a forgettable year in Lake Erie. A bounce back year for Sgarbossa would be huge for the organization, because he's clearly very talented and this team needs all the depth it can get up front. He's become the forgotten man around here after his down year.
Duncan Siemens - It seems like the Avs are fine with developing Siemens slowly, but it was still surprising that a former 11th overall pick was one of the first cuts out of training camp. I don't think he had a bad camp last year, but he didn't standout. That being said, I think this is a huge year for Siemens and he has to show the organization something. 3 of the 4 LD on the Avs roster do not have contracts beyond this coming season, and all of those LD are defensive guys, much like Siemens. There is going to be a spot for him next season if he earns it, but he's got to start showing a bit more. Some of these young, cheap players stepping into the NHL soon are going to be huge given the big contracts the Avs are going to have to hand out to the main guys.
Joey Hishon - If only because the poor ******* hasn't been able to participate in a training camp since turning pro. You can't make an impression with the NHL staff if you can't get on the ice.
Mitch Heard - I thought he was a pleasant surprise last year. Granted, he was centering Landeskog and Tanguay all camp, so you can't really look bad, but he showed off more skill than I thought he had (and awesome hair). He hasn't been able to show much in the AHL, but he was a relatively high draft pick only two years ago, so he's going to need to start showing more. With McLeod on the last year of his deal, an agitator role could open up next year.
Pickard/Aittokallio/Will - I anticipate all three of them being in training camp, but I don't anticipate all three of them being in the organization much further beyond that. One of these goalies has to step up, because Berra still is going to scare a lot of people.
Stefan Elliott - I think this one is a little more obvious. It may be his last chance. He got beat out by two career journeymen last year, and now he's got to win a spot amongst the massive amounts of bottom pairing/fringe guys looking to stick on the big team. It's the same issues as since he's turned pro: Everyone knows what he can do offensively, but he's still so soft and weak defensively. I have to imagine other NHL teams will be watching closely as well, given his waiver status.
Obviously there are a lot of other younger guys to look out for, but I think these are the most important ones in the organization, at least at this moment. I'm excited for this season to get started.
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