Colorado Avalanche Preseason vs Minnesota: Answering 3 Questions

The Colorado Avalanche dropped a 7-0 decision to the (hated) Minnesota Wild, and no one in Avs Nation is happy.

As everyone points out, the Colorado Avalanche mostly iced an AHL team against a Minnesota Wild team that’s four games into the preseason — and iced an NHL team. They were probably also looking for their pound of flesh after the embarrassment they suffered at the Avs last year.

Neither of those facts made the 7-0 blowout feel better. Full disclosure: I may rage blog a little. Charlie Coyle got a hat trick against our team, whatever inception it was. That alone deserves a little rage.

What’s more, it seems the team just sort of gave up after the third goal. That’s not the way you show you want to be on an NHL team — or that you deserve the spot that’s been all but guaranteed to you.

Before the game, we had three important questions. Without further adieu, let’s look at some answers we got from the game.

How will Grubauer do in his Debut?

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Badly.

Philipp Grubauer allowed six goals in 24 shots. That’s an awful lot of rust for a goalie who wants to challenge for the number-one spot.

Remember, Semyon Varalmov is playing from a position of trust. He’s already made his name with the team — with the coaches and the players. Grubauer has not earned that trust yet.

So, if Varlamov lets in three goals on 24 shots, as he did on Tuesday against Vegas, that’s not as bad as allowing six goals in 24 shots besides doubling the goals. We already know what Varly can do.

We’re hoping we don’t now know what Grubi can do — or what he’s limited to.

How much Better are Jost, Girard, and Kerfoot?

Not much.

Ok, that’s a little harsh. For Tyson Jost, Samuel Girard, and Alexander Kerfoot, this was their preseason debut. And they were playing with very little NHL-caliber backup against the Wild’s opening night roster.

Girard was paired with Anton Lindholm, who was in and out of the lineup last season. He’d better pull something out of his hat if he wants to make it in. Mr. Beefcake, Sam Girard, on the other hand, looks ready to step into his increased NHL role. Perhaps he’s eaten the fear of his enemies — and they should fear.

Jost and Kerfoot… also ran. Somebody get them some oil to help lubricate the rust off. No, they moved well early on — which is what they wanted to work on during the offseason — but they faded as the night wore on.

Yes, you can blame the rigors of being the only Colorado Avalanche NHLers on the ice when it was their time, but you don’t want to start with the excuses so early on.

Which Prospects will Shine?

Brandon Saigeon is killing it with the Hamilton Bulldogs, having recorded seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in two games. Why didn’t we sign him again, and can we change our minds?

As for prospects actually in the game tonight, Pavel Francouz looked mighty fine sitting on the bench. Didn’t fall off or anything, which is about the best thing you can say on the night.

To be fair, Martin Kaut didn’t have that bad of a game. He has skill when he needs it, uses his size when he needs to, and isn’t afraid to forecheck. He just was unable to make any of that count in the game.

I’m calling it: Vladislav Kamenev is a wash for now. He didn’t look particular good at camp or in the Rookie Faceoff. Tonight was another underwhelming performance. Maybe some seasoning in the AHL will benefit him, or maybe we so far have one losing lottery ticket in the Matt Duchene trade and one winning ticket, Girard.

Speaking of Matt Duchene:

If you’re saying you don’t miss seeing that skill in burgundy and blue, you’re either lying or expressing sour grapes. Probably both. Imagine if Duchene had had Jost or Kerfoot waiting for a pass there…

Well, let’s all pray to the hockey gods that what we’ve seen the last two preseason games is not the Colorado Avalanche we have to look forward to. Otherwise — and here’s my little bit of rage blogging — our biggest joy next season will be that we’ll have two chances in the Jack Hughes’ Sweepstakes — Ottawa’s and our own.