Will Riley Tufte become a regular in the Avs lineup this season?

[NorthernAvsFan]

Does Tufte become a regular in the Avs lineup this season? Or just a guy called up for a game every now and then that thrives in the AHL?

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[UncleRisto]

Nes.

 

[GeoRox89]

Nes.

 

[AvsGuy]

I vote yes, if only because we need to get sick of Drouin's shit at some point

Tatar ain't doing himself any favours either

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Sheldon Dries type.

 

[JLo217]

Sheldon Dries type.

What? He's not Dries

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

No.

It's possible he has a Nuke like breakout with us. You can kind of see that similar skill set and he's obviously tearing up the AHL at this point...

But history would suggest it doesn't happen and the odds are pretty strong against it. Playing it safe and saying nah it doesn't work.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

What? He's not Dries

Literally Sheldon Dries.

 

[flyfysher]

Literally Sheldon Dries.

Long time ago I went to an Eagles game and was looking at players that might get called up. I remember looking at Dries but the guy that caught my attention that night was LOC. Guy was a puck hound.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Before Nuke's production really picked up, he was still playing a valuable role for us defensively. Watching Tufte skate, I don't see any reason why he can't do that as well. He's playing an NHL game out there.

Just like everyone else, I'd like to see him flourish offensively at the NHL level...but maybe not so much that we can't keep him. But then again, once we win the Cup this summer, he'll have earned the privilege to choose where he wants to play in my book.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Literally Sheldon Dries.

Dries is 5’9 and Tufte is 6’6 first of all. I hated Dries for every minute of his existence in the org. He’s just a non-descript career minor leaguer for whatever reason his occasional flashes have bought him some NHL time but he does absolutely nothing at an NHL level. It obviously remains to be seen if Tufte will ever become a NHL regular but he has at least some interesting tools. Drouin is closer to Dries than Tufte is.

Now to answer the question, Tufte probably needs a medium to long term injury to one of the forwards to stick but I think he will. Unless they plan to waive Drouin or Tatar he’s going to have to wait his turn.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

He's an NHL player IMO. His shot is NHL caliber, his skating/motor is NHL caliber for his size and he actually knows how to use his size. In the NHL, if you have NHL level skating, size and even one decent skill, you can stick around for a long while. However, we'll have to see if he keeps up this motor.

 

[lionsDen]

The Ava said they wanted to beef up this summer. He fills that need. I’ve said it from jump he needs to make the team AFTER seeing him in preseason.

Really though what does AJ have to say…

 

[JoeSakic13]

Has anyone ever seen Tufte and Dries in the same room?

Checkmate pundits.

 

[JLo217]

If people think those two guys are one and the same I no longer watch hockey apparently lol. Height alone. Dries couldn’t have jumped in with Ryjo and Nuke like that.

 

[JWK]

Who

 

[Chiarelli]

Who

Sheldon

 

[The Merchant]

You mean Tage Thompson Jr.? Yeah, probably

 

[The Kingslayer]

He wont be this season but he should be. Good to have him in the stable when the real Ambulanche show up.

 

[Foppa2118]

Literally Sheldon Dries.

 

[Bone Breaker]

yes and he will be ROTY.

 

[UncleRisto]

Drouin and Tatar suggest yes.

 

[RECKLESS]

The sooner the better.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Should of been on the second line yesterday.


Also.. young players breaking in always give this team a boost. His play and effort level are a wakeup call.

 

[Pokecheque]

One thing I think they gotta quit doing is trying to use Tufte as a top six option. He comes off way too hesitant and stands around a lot. If Bednar is going to use him it has to be as a straight-up grinder.

It's not all on Bednar though. Tufte himself has to do better.