The Colorado Avalanche rookie camp started last Friday, bringing hockey back
from summer slumbers. Prospects now get to show how they have progressed since
last year. The rookies are competing for where they fit in the organization. To
 help with evaluating their progress, the Avalanche are participating in a
rookie tournament for the third year in a row, offering a chance to see how
their rookies match-up to those of other clubs. Rookie camp also provides
glimpses into the depth of the development pipeline.

Rookie camp comes with a warning. It';s not a deep dive into talent assessment.
 With 28 active participants swirling around the ice for an hour and a half,one
 can only follow a handful of players and watch what they can do so the heavier
 analysis will have to come after the full training camp.

The upcoming Vegas Rookie Faceoff tourney will provide a little more insight
but it also only scratches the surface of what is possible for the Avalanche's
future.

Keep in mind, rookies are playing against rookies. When the NHL starters hit
the ice, everything changes. Here are a few takeaways from this season's sole
rookie practice in Denver.A Wrinkle With Timmins

Remember starting camp thinking that every prospect could make the big club and
 hoping that all players are healthy? Well, that's the hope. Unfortunately for
the Avalanche, their number one defenseman, Conor Timmins, is still
recuperating from a concussion sustained in the OHL playoffs last spring. On
Friday, assistant general manager Craig Billington issued a statement saying
that Timmins would be unable to participate in the upcoming rookie showcase due
 to lingering concussion issues. Billington added that Timmins has made
progress recently. He was at the practice rink but never laced up the skates.

An update on Conor Timmins.#GoAvsGo https://t.co/9SPCdAmGmq

- Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 7, 2018

Timmin's condition is concerning because, in 2014, the Avs acquired a talented
center named Jesse Winchester. A Calgary Flames player laid a hit on Winchester
 in a preseason game and Winchester suffered a concussion. Twice over the
following year, he looked ready to return to the ice only to have his symptoms
reappear. Between Winchester and captain Gabriel Landeskog';s struggles to
overcome a concussion, the Avalanche should be cautious. Hopefully, Timmins
will continue to improve, but it';s a concerning start for the promising
defenseman.Exciting New Forward Line

On a happier note, the Avs rolled out a forward combination of Martin Kaut
(this year's first-round draft pick), Vladislav Kamenev (a promising center
acquired in the Matt Duchene trade) and Igor Shvyrev (a fifth-round pick from
last year's draft class). The trio is fast, skilled and was the strongest
forward combination on the ice. There's something to be said for having gifted
players on a line together. Ask Nathan MacKinnon if he likes having speedy
Mikko Rantanen on his wing. Watching Kaut, Kamenev and Shvyrev line up against
other top rookie lines should be fun.

Kamenev showed the poise, control and sense of a quality center. He is a good
skater, good puck-handler and also has a strong leadership quality that could
help a young line. Kaut looks like a man on a mission. He hustled like a player
 ready to make the Avalanche out of camp, despite his youth and unfamiliarity
playing on the smaller NHL ice. His intensity alone made an impression.Martin
Kaut is hoping to make an impression at the rookie tournament (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)

Though he is likely to start the season with the Colorado Eagles, if he keeps
improving anything is possible. Shvyrev was probably the biggest surprise with
his quick hands and stick-handling ability. While Kaut and Shvyrev still need
polish, they should make the Avalanche roster eventually. Kamenev should make a
 push for the big club right out of the gate.Defensemen Who Made a Mark or Left
 One

Though Timmins couldn't participate in practice, there were other defensemen
who stepped up to make things interesting. Sergei Boikov, healed up from the
shoulder injury that cost him all of last season, made a big impression. He was
 solid on his skates, positioned himself well and did not shy away from big
hits. In fact, as practice heated up, Boikov smashed into three different
players over the course of a couple scrimmages, leaving them sprawled on the
ice, including Kamenev. I guess his shoulder is good to go.

Boikov often played alongside Nicolas Meloche and the pairing was the most
effective defensive duo. Meloche knows how to defend the space in front of the
net and was a great partner for Boikov.Goaltender Pipeline Improving

As for goaltenders, this is Justus Annunen's first camp so he looked promising
but still has room to grow. Petr Kvaca, on the other hand, had a greater
command of his crease. He displayed solid glove and blocker skills. Kvaca could
 stand to improve his five-hole work and looked to be refining his rebound
control but he looked confident and wasn';t flustered when defending against a
four-on-two rush. Some of the Eagles' goaltenders may want to pay attention.

Coaches With a Plan

Also of note was the coaching. The Colorado Eagles staff ran the day, with head
 coach Aaron Schneekloth leading the way. Unlike previous camps where the staff
 kept rotating player lineups throughout the practices, this camp started out
with the coaches having a pretty good idea of line combinations and defensive
pairings. They occasionally deviated from the standard combinations by throwing
 another player in the mix but it was nowhere near the carousel from a couple
years ago. That may be one of the most promising signs yet as the staff seem to
 have a good handle on the players and their skill sets.

It was the first day of camp and still too early to make any overarching
judgments. But the players showed promise as the Avalanche organization
continues to develop their depth. The Vegas showcase will be interesting as the
 rookies continue to improve their game. Stay tuned. There's more fun coming.

The post Avalanche of Fun at Avs Rookie Camp appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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