Colorado Avalanche: 3 Prospects Who Should Get a Shot
After having called JT Compher up from the AHL, the Colorado Avalanche have three remaining non-emergency call ups. Three players should get their shot.
The Colorado Avalanche, like all NHL teams, are only allowed to make four non-emergency call-ups after the NHL trade deadline. So, our dreams of replacing the majority of the supporting staff with prospects isn’t going to happen.
That’s just as well. While any kind of satisfactory team record is impossible at this stage, the team can start looking to the future by developing some of the prospects. And the veterans can show the young guys the ropes.
The Colorado Avalanche have already called up JT Compher from the San Antonio Rampage. Compher was one of the pieces the Avs received in the Ryan O’Reilly trade. He’s played in three games so far, averaging about 13 minutes of ice time per game. He has no points in five shots, but he did receive his first NHL penalty — slashing against Ottawa Senator Mark Borowiecki.
Since this was a non-emergency call-up, that means Colorado can recall just three more players. Let’s look at three who should be given a shot.
Chris Bigras
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 pounds
Shoots: Left
AHL Stats: 3 goals, 10 assists (13 points)
Defenseman Chris Bigras was the Colorado Avalanche second-round pick in 2013 (#32). He went pro in 2015.
This would actually be a second chance for Bigras — he played 31 games for the Avs last season. His conditioning apparently wasn’t up to snuff at this season’s training camp, though, so he’s spent the entire season with San Antonio.
Bigras is a shutdown defenseman. He’s good at moving the puck out of the defensive zone and limits his mistakes. He’s had some injury issues this year with San Antonio, but he has 13 points in 33 games.
I’d like to see Bigras skating in a pairing with Tyson Barrie. Barrie is going to need a regular partner who’s not on the far side of his peak years eventually, so why not see if Bigras’ passing and shutdown capabilities complement the roving Tyson?
Bench Fedor Tyutin in favor of Bigras.
Duncan Siemens
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 pounds
Shoots: Left
AHL Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists (4 points)
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I was highly surprised the Colorado Avalanche qualified defenseman Duncan Siemens last summer. He went 11th-overall in 2012, yet he’s spent all his time in the AHL — barring a single NHL game. If the Avs don’t want to use him, why keep him around?
Siemens is a big, mean d-man with a nasty streak. He likes to hit. But he also has good shut-down ability and decent hockey sense. He scouted high the year Colorado drafted him, so there’s talent there. It’s time to finally see if Siemens can actually add to the Avs defense. Otherwise just cut him lose this summer when his contract expires.
Like Barrie, Erik Johnson needs an young d-partner. He’s been skating (sometimes) with Mark Barberio, which isn’t bad. But Siemens and Johnson have had some chemistry in training camp in previous years. Since Jared Bednar is mixing up defensive pairings every shift, why not throw Duncan into the salad bowl?
Bench Francois Beauchemin in favor of Siemens.
Felix Girard
Position: Center
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 193 pounds
Shoots: Right
AHL Stats: 55 games, 7 goals, 14 assists (21 points)
The Colorado Avalanche received center Felix Girard in return for sending Cody McLeod to the Nashville Predators. He’s spent all his time since (and before) in the AHL — he has no NHL experience, barring the preseason.
Girard is your quintessential journeyman. He doesn’t dazzle with his talents, but he’s a gritty hard worker. He skates fast, and he plays a defensive game.
It’s highly unlikely that Girard will make the leap into an NHL career. However, I’d like to see him on the Colorado Avalanche checking line.
Sit Blake Comeau in favor of Girard.
Note: I deliberately leave AJ Greer (15 goals, 21 assists, 36 points) off this list for a simple reason: Unless he comes to training camp with substandard conditioning (like Bigras apparently did), he’s almost certain to make the roster next year. Let him get loads of playing time with the San Antonio Rampage until then. Also, he doesn’t need to be exposed to the current Colorado Avalanche culture.
I also couldn’t decide if I should pose Julien Nantel over Felix Girard. What do you think, Avs Nation?