Colorado Avalanche: Fresh Chances for Kaut and Timmins

Keying on the Colorado Avalanche’s offseason moves toward a younger roster, 2019-20 gives players like Kaut and Timmins an opportunity.

With development camp in the books, and some headline free agency moves, the Colorado Avalanche are showing a lot of confidence in a young, dynamic roster heading into the 2019-20 season.

I had planned on attending the Avs’ development camp 3v3 game at EPIC in Fort Collins, but unfortunately raising three little Avalanche fans under the age 3 prevented me from doing so. I did catch some of the game on the Colorado Avalanche Facebook live stream of the game, but it wasn’t quite the same as when I went last year in person.

However, with all of the excitement surrounding Colorado’s new draft picks, new signings, and departures, I think there are some players going under the radar for the Avalanche. Among them are forward Martin Kaut, and defenseman Connor Timmins.

Martin Kaut

Martin Kaut spent two years playing professionally in the Czech Republic before being picked up in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, 16th overall. Kaut spent the 2018-19 season with the Colorado Eagles, putting up 26 points in 63 regular season in addition to two goals in four games during the Eagles’ debut in the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs.

It’ll be interesting to see how Kaut fares during the 2019-20 season with the Eagles and if he’ll get any looks over the season from the Avs. After getting accustomed to the AHL’s level of play last season, this season provides a great opportunity for Kaut to demonstrate that he’s ready and a good fit for the Avalanche moving forward.

The Colorado Avalanche seem to be favoring a younger, more dynamic squad so the 19 year-old forward would fit right in. However, the Avs have quite a bit firepower, even on defense, and have quite a bit of talent in the pipeline, so if Kaut wants to make the jump then he needs to make a statement in the 2019-20 season to show he’s ready to play in the NHL.

Connor Timmins

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A second round pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft (32nd overall), Connor Timmins had signed a three year contract with the Avs just months before suffering a debilitating concussion. The promising defenseman was sidelined during the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds’ 2018 OHL Playoff run.

The young defenseman missed the 2018 Colorado Avalanche Development Camp and spent the entire 2018-19 season simply practicing and rehabbing with the Eagles and the Avalanche, but not seeing any game action.

Timmins did suit up for the 2019 Development Camp, and even registered a goal in the 3v3 game, which is very promising. It’s highly likely that if Timmins is cleared to play for the 2019-20 season that he will at least start off with the Colorado Eagles. His injury was very unfortunate, and hopefully he is able to catch his stride quickly once he returns.

The Ontario native was a force to be reckoned with on the Greyhounds, and was instrumental in Team Canada’s 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal performance. At 100%, it’s easy to picture Timmins meshing perfectly with the Avs’ defensive corps.

With Cale Makar already establishing himself in the rotation, and Colorado’s selection of Bowen Byram at #4 overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, it seems the Avalanche are looking for defenseman with some offensive talent. Timmins just needs to show that he’s healthy and ready to provide that.