5 Takeaways From Avalanche Veterans Informal Practice
Colorado Avalanche players take to the ice for an Informal Practice at Family Sports Center in Centennial CO. Sept. 16, 2014. -Photo by Austin Manak
The Colorado Avalanche vets took to the ice for an unscheduled practice session at Family Sports Center in Centennial, CO yesterday around noon. As the rookies were wrapping up day two of their camp, the main guys were seen wandering around the complex. A pair of kids next to me were able to successfully acquire a couple of autographs for their jerseys.
Then the fans were treated to a surprise practice, and it was well worth sticking around for!
The most noticeable thing was how much better these guys are than the rookies. It was like going from middle school to college as far as the speed, passing, shooting, and technical ability. Off brand cola to classic Coke. A frozen microwaved burrito, to the deliciousness that is Chipotle. Bottom line, it is really is amazing to watch these guys play.
Here are my 5 takeaways from the practice.
1. Nathan MacKinnon is a perfectionist
Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie skate to the boards after completing a drill. -Photo by Austin Manak
By now, you’ve probably heard about MacKinnon’s off-season training program… how he is bigger, faster, and stronger; primed to take over the league this year. The main thing I noticed from Nathan, aside from the ridiculous skill level (seriously his saucer passes made me start drooling down the front of my shirt), was that any time he made a small mistake, he was very hard on himself. There were several instances where he slammed his stick in frustration, or would back into the boards with authority and a disgruntled look on his face.
To me, it didn’t look like an attitude problem, but a guy who wants to be great. His expectation is to reach that elite level, and he is in the zone and very demanding of himself when he’s on the ice.
One final thought on MacKinnon. The speed. Yep, it’s still there. I would love to post an action shot of MacKinnon, but they all came out blurry. I doubt he plans on slowing down for my photography efforts, so I guess I would have to upgrade in the camera department. Oh well. Oh wait, I did manage to snag one non-blurry pic of MacKinnon, but it has awkward written all over it. I guess I’ll post it anyways…
Bonus MacKinnon hydration pic! -Photo by Austin Manak
2. Jarome Iginla looks really good in an Avs sweater!
Jarome Iginla, Matt Duchene, and Nathan MacKinnon look on during drills. -photo by Austin Manak
Seriously, I know it’s not the game-day burgundy, white, and steel-blue yet… but that Avalanche crest suits him well. He skated a lot with Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog throughout the drills, and seemed to keep up just fine!
After about 45 minutes of drills, the team broke into two groups and played mini 3-on-3 hockey in each end. Iginla ended up going on the opposite side of where I was sitting, so I didn’t get to watch him a whole lot unfortunately. Iggy was one of the first guys to call it a day, and leave the ice. He has to keep those old legs fresh, right?!
3. Ryan O’Reilly is an outstanding hockey player
Ryan O’Reilly signs an autograph for a young fan. Sept 16, 2014. -Photo by Austin Manak
The guy has driven the Avs faithful nuts in two of the last three off-seasons, and yet, when he gets on the ice it’s so hard to not fall in love with him all over again. Simply put, he is a fantastic hockey player. Today he showed off his quick hands and stick. He along with Duchene dominated the 3-on-3 mini games on my end of the ice.
His work ethic is second to none. He was the last guy on the ice, and took the lead in getting a couple of the guys who stayed late to do some sprints the full length of the ice for a bit of extra conditioning. Duchene was among the few guys who did this as well.
Last thought on O’Reilly. The beard. Glorious. Lush. Monumental. Greg Zanon’s beard was fantastic as well, but it was attached to a hockey player who didn’t have anything left in the tank. O’Reilly’s beard is pristine, and a symbol for what should be another outstanding season for number 90.
4. Matt Duchene is having more fun than anyone else out there
Matt Duchene laughs it up with Jarome Iginla at Avalanche training camp. -Photo by Austin Manak
For those who don’t know, Matt Duchene is my favorite player. Today he was the first guy out watching the rookies do their thing, and was cracking jokes with his teammates prior to going on the ice. Once he was on the ice, he still was smiling and laughing. Duchene and Iginla were hamming it up while in line for the transition drills early on in the practice.
Overall, Dutchy just looks like he is having more fun playing hockey than anyone else out there.
As far as his game goes, Duchene looks locked in. He was nearly unstoppable in the 3-on-3 drills, and scored a couple of really nice goals. His speed and passing were unbelievable in the weave, transition, and breakout drills. Like I said before, MacKinnon is getting a lot of headlines, but Duchene is still the elite center of this franchise.
5. Videos!
First video is about a minute of 3-on-3 action. If you watch to the end, you will see Landeskog trying to leave the rink. He struggles with the door, so the guy outside has to come help him get it unlatched. You can also hear commentary, as a puck almost nailed Landy.
Literally everyone on the team couldn’t get that door opened, aside form Daniel Briere. Briere got to the door, put his stick in just the right spot, and jammed it down… easy peezy. Out he went. Maybe he has something left in the tank after all, and he definitely showed off the craftiness he is known for.
Another clip of 3-on-3 action below! A nice goal by Erik Johnson at the end of this video!
Final video is a few minutes of down low work. The guys worked a little 2-on-1 out of the corner, and tried to get a good shot on net. A few nice passes and technical skills on display.