Colorado Avalanche: 3 Prospects Making Impressions at Rookie Camp

Three Colorado Avalanche prospects have drawn attention to themselves, clearly trying to make a name for themselves and win a roster spot.

The Colorado Avalanche bought prospects to the Rookie Faceoff, which was essentially a big Rookie Camp, that they wanted to have a closer look at. Unfortunately, the prospect they most wanted to observe, Conor Timmins, was unavailable due to lingering concussion symptoms.

While the Avalanche don’t have quite as many roster spots open to rookies this season as last, it’s always a good idea for prospects to distinguish themselves. Some of them are vying for contracts. Others want to make the roster, or at least be kept in mind as one of the fist call ups.

Well, throughout the three tournament games, which took place in Vegas, different prospects stood out each night. However, the following three stood out enough that I think the Avalanche front offices are going to watch them more closely as camp activities progress.

Brandon Saigeon

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Of the three players on this list, Brandon Saigeon is the only one who doesn’t have a contract with Colorado yet. Colorado drafted the 6-foot-1, 196-pound center in the fifth round this summer. At 20 years old, he’s considered an over-age draft pick.

Well, Saigeon is showing that some things are worth waiting for. His pick came largely as a result of stellar season last year with the OHL Hamilton Bulldogs (70 points in 65 regular season games and 25 points in 21 playoff games.)

Saigeon is also having an impressive Rookie Camp. He showed well in the practices, but it was in the tournament games that he really shined. Going into this afternoon’s game, Saigeon had three goals in the two matches. He potted two more this afternoon.

Here’s the game-winning goal:

And here’s an empty-netter:

I should think the Avs will be looking at this kid very strongly and considering giving him an entry-level contract.

Sergei Boikov

Defenseman Sergei Boikov was on a very promising track last preseason when a hit during the Dallas Stars game took him out of commission. He ended up having shoulder surgery and physical therapy that kept him out the entire season.

Well, already in practice, Boikov was showing that his shoulder is well recovered, laying big hits on fellow Avs prospects. As with Saigeon, though, his star shined brighter in games. He continued to lay on big hits, He also earned a few assists in the three games.

Sergie showed special chemistry with fellow defensive prospect Nicolas Meloche. I’m sure the coaching staff is going to be evaluating him come Training Camp proper.

Colorado selected Boikov in the sixth round of 2015 and signed him last summer.

Igor Shvyrev

Igor Shvyrev is another fifth rounder, from 2017, but one who has already been signed to his entry-level contract. The Russian center seems to be a Renaissance man of hitting, trash-talking, and, yes, generating offense.

In today’s game against the San Jose Sharks prospects, Igor was lined up with Vladislav Kamenev and Martin Kaut. He showed good chemistry with his fellow Slavs. He didn’t make it onto the score sheet, but he must have made it into the minds of the Avalanche scouts. This is especially true since Colorado likes when players show chemistry on a line already in training camp — it’s how Alexander Kerfoot got his first crack at the NHL.

Training camp starts this Friday. Before then, the Colorado Avalanche may announce a list of prospects who will not be moving forward at this time. I don’t expect any of these three players to be on that list.