Wednesday’s informal Avalanche mixed practice showcased skill, speed and competition. Valeri Nichushkin got frustrated, Brent Burns displayed exceptional stick-handling abilities and Scott Wedgewood needed my help.
Players have been trickling onto the ice at Family Sports in Centennial for the past few weeks. Wedgewood is the latest to join the group on Sept. 10. He and Trent Miner manned the nets while a mix of Avs’ starters, Colorado Eagles players, and rookies practiced drills and shots.
Media Day is next week, but I got a chance to chat with Wedgewood for a hot second after he flagged me down for a favor. He needed pegs to set up the net for 2-on-2 drills. I obliged, he thanked me with a fist bump and smiled when I jokingly asked if that earned me an exclusive one-on-one with him. He assured me I would have one when the time came. (Side note: Wedgewood is always available for interviews and is a great person to chat with in the room.)
Other notable veterans in attendance were Burns, Brock Nelson, Artturi Lehkonen and Nichushkin. Nelson and Nichushkin spent some time passing and shooting together, while Burns skated circles around some of the young players during the 2-on-2 drills.
The 30-year-old Russian displayed his competitive edge by throwing his stick into the boards and slamming it a few times after a couple of unsuccessful sequences. He is a passionate player, whether in an informal skate or a playoff game, which makes him an exceptional competitor.
Lehkonen — Nelson — Nichushkin is one second-line version head coach Jared Bednar played last season, and fans will likely see it again this season. As for what the bottom six will look like on opening night, that remains a bit of a mystery.
Logan O’Connor will not start the season due to an offseason hip surgery. Joel Kiviranta — Jack Drury — Ross Colton is a possible third-line combination, with a variation of Drury or Parker Kelly in the middle. Victor Olofsson and Kelly/Drury will likely make up the fourth line, but who will slot into the empty spot is unknown.
The rookie showcase at South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch begins on Friday against the Utah Mammoth. The Avs’ rookies face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Who earns that empty fourth-line position may emerge from the rookies’ training camp and exhibition games.
