The Colorado Avalanche team is taking shape as they head into the middle of their preseason.

The Colorado Avalanche team is taking shape as they head into the middle of their preseason.

With the return of the prodigal Canadian, Matt Duchene, the Colorado Avalanche finally have their full roster — and then some. Now is the time when we start hearing that players are being sent down to their minor or major junior team.

The new coaching staff has also had the chance to get into the groove with new systems and ideology. Fellow Mile High Sticking editor, Ross Sellers, likes what he sees:

Related Story: Bednar with Clear Message

Let’s look at how the team is taking shape.

The Bourque Equation

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the Chicken Line in action against the LA Kings. (Bourque-Bourque-Bourke-SQUAWK!) However, the two PTO players, Rene Bourque and Gabriel Bourque, have both been impressive in the preseason.

Rene Bourque had a goal and an assist against the Minnesota Wild and two assists against the LA Kings. Gabriel Bourque had an assist against the Dallas Stars.

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post believes both will be offered a contract. If Colorado signs both, it’s going to have to be cheap contracts — the team only has about $959,407 of cap space.

What’s interesting about the Bourque equation is that Jared Bednar believes Gabriel is earning a contract. He’s not just earning a contract — he got to wear the A for alternate captain against the Kings.

Here’s what Mike Chambers said about that:

Here’s what I say: It makes no sense. Did Bednar get his Bourques mixed up? Does he thing anyone named Gabriel ought to automatically wear a letter? Is he making a statement about captaincy in the NHL — that it doesn’t actually mean anything?

I mean, how do you put the A on a player who isn’t even technically on the team yet? Almost every other player in the lineup that night, from Colorado Avalanche prospect Troy Bourke to the future of the franchise, Nathan MacKinnon, deserved the letter more. Because at least, you know, they’re Avalanche players.

I know it’s only a preseason game, but the act made absolutely no sense to me.

Of course, it doesn’t sound like Bednar is overly impressed with MacKinnon thus far…

Nathan MacKinnon

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon killed it at the World Cup of Hockey. His Team North America didn’t advance past the preliminaries, but he really showed off his skill and talent in the three games he got to play. Remember that sexy OT goal:

MacKinnon has only played in one preseason game so far, and it was a good one. He opened up the scoring against the Kings.

However, in a post-game presser, Bednar said of Nathan that he was “good.” He “skated hard” and “worked hard.” Those aren’t bad things, but he did add a caveat:

"“I’d like to see him shoot a little more.”"

That seems a little strange. MacKinnon has only played in one game, against LA. He had three shots on goal, and one of them went in. Only Mikhail Grigorenko — who had two goals — had more shots than MacK.

And why publicly criticize MacKinnon at all this early in the year? If you’re really concerned about his not shooting enough, pull him aside at practice and advise him. No reason to make an example out of the kid after one preseason game.

Well, MacK can take it. Let’s look at some fun he and some other players had with the Colorado Rockies.

Crossover with the Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Avalanche visited their buddies over at Coors Field yesterday for a little practice. MacKinnon, Tyson Barrie, Gabriel Landeskog and Francois Beauchemin took part in a little practice:

All of them took a shot at batting in the cages. (Look at Beauchemin showing off some bicep — he’s going to have a wicked shot this year!)

Here’s video of Beauchemin:

Maybe if the hockey thing doesn’t work out, those players can look for baseball contracts.

The Colorado Avalanche finish out their preseason homestand against the (hated) Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, October 4. They’ll be looking to keep their preseason record perfect.