Colorado Avalanche: Guide to the 2018 Training Camp

The Colorado Avalanche preseason is completely laid out. Here’s what to watch for in the upcoming training camps.

The Colorado Avalanche season is upon us. We already know everything about the schedule, from the Training Camp to Game #82.

In other words, stop asking, “Is it October yet?” It’s September, and that’s close enough. Actually, I love September hockey. That’s when the team has a fresh slate and a sparkle in its eye. It’s when we get to see a mixture of the current and future of the team. They’re rested and healthy — and hungry. Some are hungry to keep up last year’s momentum. Others are hungry to make the team.

Colorado Avalanche training camp activities are already taking place, at least unofficially. As we near the official dates, let’s look at some key points of what to watch for.

Unofficial Avalanche Practices

Avalanche players have been taking part in unofficial practices at South Suburban Parks and Recreation. According to the facility’s website, the team still has the following slots booked for these practices:

• Sept. 4: 10 AM to 12 PM
• Sept. 5: 10 AM to 12 PM
• Sept. 6: 10 AM to 12 PM
• Sept. 10: 10 AM to 12 PM
• Sept. 12: 10 AM to 12 PM

By now we might be entering the realm of Captain’s Camp.

What to watch:

When I attended the unofficial practices last week, four regulars (Erik Johnson, Semyon Varlamov, Sven Andrighetto and Colin Wilson) and one newbie (Matt Calvert) were practicing. Gabriel Bourque and Dominic Toninato were also there. As we get closer to the team’s official Training Camp, you’re bound to see more NHLers in attendance — especially as it transforms into the Captain’s Camp.

These September 4 to 6 days are also good for watching the team’s top non-collegiate prospects. More on them next.

Rookie Camp

The Avs have 29 rookies and prospects attending their Rookie Camp and participating in the Rookie Faceoff. Here is the roster:

Here is specific information about that roster:

The Rookie Camp in Denver takes place on September 7, from 9:15 AM to 12:15 PM. This practice will also be at South Suburban. The rookies will have another camp day, on Monday, September 10, at 10:30 AM (PDT), but that practice takes place at City National Arena in Las Vegas.

What to watch:

To my mind, the top rookie at camp is defenseman Conor Timmins. He signed his entry-level contract last spring. He was unable to participate in on-ice activities at Prospect Development Camp due to injury issues. However, it sounds like he’ll be good to go if he’s on the Rookie Camp roster. He’ll wearing #18 this season.

Top Prospect #2 is Martin Kaut, this year’s first-rounder. It’s almost certain he’ll need some AHL time to learn the North American game. However, we can get an idea of how he’s looking already.

Another top prospect to my mind is forward Travis Barron. Barron signed his entry-level contract and helped the Colorado Eagles win the Kelly Cup. He’s going to be looking to make an impression in the Rookie Faceoff in hopes of getting a chance at some preseason consideration.

I’m interested to see how Brandon Saigeon does. He had a very impressive season last year with his OHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Colorado just picked him in this year’s draft, and he doesn’t have an entry-level contract yet. No doubt he’ll be looking to impress.

Training Camp

The veterans must report for medicals on Thursday, September 13. There are no on-ice activities planned for that day, though players and the coach will be available to the media. So, after that morning, you’ll have tons of Avs-related news.

The Colorado Avalanche are holding four days’ worth of on-ice training camp activities this year:

September 14:
Group 1 on ice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. MT
Group 2 on ice: 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT

September 15:
Group 2 on ice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. MT
Group 1 on ice: 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT

September 16:
Group 1 on ice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. MT
Group 2 on ice: 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT

September 17:
Group 2 on ice: 8:45-10:15 a.m. MT
Group 1 on ice: 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT

What to watch:

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Hockey! All your favorite Colorado Avalanche players will be there.

On-ice practices are never the best time to watch the goalies — they’re really just there to help the skaters in drills. However, we’ve got a new backup/starter challenger this season — Philipp Grubauer. At minimum, you’ll want to see what his new mask looks like.

There are two more newbies this year — Matt Culvert and Ian Cole. I already saw Culvert at the unofficial practice, and I liked what I saw. This will be my first look at Cole, though.

We already know Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov are back to being healthy since they’ve been participating in the unofficial practices. However, defenseman Nikita Zadorov had off-season shoulder surgery. Judging by his Instagram, he looks healthy. However, he hasn’t posted any upper-body workouts. We’ll all be waiting with baited breath to hear if he passes his medicals.

Some of the prospects who did especially well at their camp and the Faceoff will be invited to Training Camp proper. I expect Timmins to be there. However, the prospects who participate in all four days are the ones we’ll want to watch during the preseason.

This is where we’re going to especially want to watch Kaut. This is going to be the first time we get to see him practicing with AHL-caliber and NHL-caliber players. We’ll get to measure how’s he’s stacking up toward reaching the NHL.

Keep your eyes out for any paid tryout players. I think Colorado will give a look at an NHL-caliber goalie. In any case, the team loves to eyeball PTOs at camp and in the preseason.

A couple other dates to keep in mind:

Colorado Avalanche Rookie Faceoff games:

• Sept. 8: Avalanche vs Golden Knights, 8 pm MT
• Sept. 9: Avalanche vs. Ducks, 6 pm MT
• Sept. 11: Avalanche vs. Sharks, 12:30 pm MT

Avalanche Charity Golf Classic at The Ridge at Castle Pines North is September 11, 9:30 AM.

There is no Burgundy and White Game this year. The team feels the Prospect 3-on-3 Scrimmage over the summer replaced it.

The Colorado Avalanche start their preseason by hosting the Vegas Golden Knights on September 18. As we see how Training Camp shakes out, we’ll know more of what to watch in those preseason games.