Colorado Avalanche: Top 5 Training Camp Battles

Colorado Avalanche Battle #4

Carl Soderberg vs. Mikhail Grigorenko

Feb 16, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Mikhail Grigorenko is another one of the players coming from Buffalo. Since the Colorado Avalanche saw him as a good enough player to give away O’Reilly, the expectations in him are also very high. But what can we really expect?

There is a chance that he will end up on the wing, but his goal will sure be to make it in the middle. Depending on how high he wants to be in the lineup, he may have to battle for a spot with Carl Soderberg.

Soderberg on the other hand, was signed as O’Reilly’s immediate successor. He is expected to play on the second line between Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. However, Soderberg has never played on a second line in the NHL before, and it is unclear if he is the right one for the job.

In the long-term, Grigorenko should be the one centering the second line, with Soderberg slotting in on the third block. The battle may emerge as early as this year, if Grigorenko proves to be ready for a big role in the NHL. He is one a one-year contract, waiting to prove that he is worthy of a big extension.

Next: Colorado Avalanche Battle #3