“We welcome him back with open arms.”
That line was repeated not once, but twice from two members of the Avalanche organization on Wednesday at media day. If it sounds like you’ve heard that line before, let me just say – you have. And I’m sure you can guess that they’re talking about Valeri Nichushkin, who, for the second consecutive year, was a popular topic at media day.
Nichushkin is obviously not with the team right now, and is eligible to be reinstated in the middle of November. When that does happen, it sounds like the Avalanche expect him back with the team, or at least that’s what they’re saying right now. What does Val need to say to his teammates when he does eventually come back?
“Nothing,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “I don’t think we need to hear anything.”
What does the coach think?
“I’m sure Val is going to have some things he wants to say to the group,” Jared Bednar said when discussing Nichushkin. “He is part of our team and he’s a big, important piece to our team, and we can use him on the ice. Whatever we can do to support him and make sure that he is able to do that for a full season, we’re going to try and do that. That’s kind of what a team is. It’s a family. You’ve got to roll with the punches sometimes, but there’s also got to be some forgiveness there and I think Vals’ probably got some things that he wants to say to the team as well.”
This isn’t the end of this saga by any means, but I’m guessing we won’t hear the team discuss it much more until Nichushkin is either back with the team or getting close to returning.
Of course, Val wasn’t the only point of discussion at media day. There is one other player everyone is looking for some clarity on…
The Landeskog Situation
Did we get that clarity on Landeskog? No, not really.
But unlike last season, the Avalanche do expect him to be back this year. They’re just not putting any sort of timetable on it.
“He’s doing everything he can possibly do to get back on the ice and get ready to play,” Bednar said.”He’s certainly making a lot of big strides. There’s a lot of hope there. And I think his timeline is when he says he’s ready to go.”
His teammates seem optimistic that there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.
“It seems like this is the surgery he needed all along,” MacKinnon said. “He’s looking great and training the right way, and he’s got some very, very smart people (helping). I’m sure he’ll explain everything, but there’s a lot of data and things like that. It’s not just guessing. He’s on the right path and definitely expect him back, which is super, super exciting.”
Don’t expect Landeskog to be on the ice with a group tomorrow when the Avalanche open training camp.
Lehkonen’s Recovery
Artturi Lehkonen is improving, but it sounds like the Avalanche are going to take things slow with his recovery.
“Shoulder surgery was a big deal for him,” Bednar said. “It was pretty bad, and they went in and fixed it, and we’re going to try and give him as much time as we possibly can.”
That means there may be some opportunity for other players to step in, such as…
Calum Ritchie
Ritchie was far and away the most talented player the Avalanche sent to Los Angeles for the Rookie Faceoff, and Bednar said he played great “at times” during the tournament. If he comes into camp and shows he’s ready to play, will Bednar play him?
“I think that you want to do what’s best, long-term, for his development,” he said. “If we see a role that he can fill and grow into throughout the course of the regular season, where he can make an impact on our team come playoff time, then listen, I’m open to playing kids. Whoever can get the job done. I know there’s some growing pains, but the time to get young players in the lineup is at the start of the year.”
I think Ritchie starts the year with the team, but it will be interesting to see where he’s slotted when they open camp tomorrow. Do they keep him at center or move him to the wing to play with some skilled guys? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Other Takeaways
Bednar said they’re going to give Ross Colton another look on the penalty kill to start the year, and mentioned Casey Mittelstadt as someone who could kill penalties this season.
Coach seems happy with the depth added on the blueline this summer, but did make an interesting comment, saying “if we’re able to keep all those guys.” I think they know trying to sneak a defenseman through waivers could be tricky.
Cale Makar made sure to send his condolences to the Gaudreau family before making any sort of comments about this coming season. Classy as always.“Growing up in Calgary and being a Flames fan before I was drafted by the Avs, and watching Johnny play for them before was pretty special.”
Bednar said he has a lot of confidence in Justus Annunen, and if Annunen plays like he did last year, Alexandar Georgiev won’t have to play as much as he has the last two seasons.
Training camp opens at 9 AM on Thursday. See everyone then!
