The Colorado Avalanche will begin the 2015-2016 season at the Pepsi Center on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. A mediocre-at-best preseason concluded over the weekend as the Los Angeles Kings blanked the Avs 4-0, dropping them to 1-4-1. Though it is just preseason, here’s what we’ve learned so far…
No. 3 – Simply Varlamov
Lopsided losses don’t tell the whole picture. Goalie Semyon Varlamov has looked solid in the preseason games that he has played. In last week’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Varlamov made 30 saves. The 27-year-old made 35 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Kings last month. Varly’s solid play has brought light to something else too – despite his best efforts, opponents have still been able to score regularly, dicing the Avs ‘D’ at-will.
If Colorado is going to rebound from its last-place finish in 2014-15, the defense has to improve. Varly can’t do it all.
No. 2 – First-rounder looks first-rate
It appears that the Avs’ first round draft pick will be here for the long haul.
Roy on Rantanen: "We'll make a final decision tomorrow, but right now I'll admit that he looks good."
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 5, 2015
Mikko Rantanen has impressed since he arrived with the Avalanche. He scored in the teams’ intra-squad scrimmage earlier last month, and has stood out offensively on a team that hasn’t quite found its groove.
That makes another top of the draft pick that the Avs are going to rely on. It’s approaching now or never time for some of their other high draft picks to deliver playoff berths and wins.
No. 1 – Offensive struggles
Perhaps the biggest and most glaring takeaway from the preseason is lack of offensive production. Earlier, coach Roy was experimenting with lines and judging prospects. This is a decent excuse of a sub-par outing. But it’s not the kind of excuse that you can use for all six games. Mike Chambers from the Denver Post sums it up nicely here:
Avalanche has scored 1 goal in last 5 preseason games. I mean, 1 fricken goal … Jeez #Avs
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) October 4, 2015
You have to shoot to score, and the Avs haven’t done that either. In their most recent loss to the Kings, the Avs managed only 15 shots. In their first preseason loss to those very same Kings, the Avs only did three shots better, producing a total of 18 shots.
Colorado has too much offensive firepower to go that long without a goal, even in the preseason. We’re not ready to hit the panic button, but our hand is in ready position.
Calvin Jouard is a Mile High Sports intern and University of Denver student