Colorado Avalanche: We Haven’t Forgotten Tyson Jost

Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost talks about team depth and playing in Edmonton after Sunday’s training camp scrimmage.

Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost spoke with the media via Zoom after today’s scrimmage in training camp.

I’m not going to talk about his being a 13th forward. As I mentioned in a previous post, that way lies madness. I’m screaming in my heart, as Japanese amusement parks have advised roller coaster riders to do.

In any case, Jost talked a lot about depth. The Avalanche have a lot of depth both at forward and defense. For most reporters, that’s how they skirted the issue of his not being in the top-12 during training camp.

Jost says all the right things. He of course mentions that his only goal is to help the team win hockey games and the Stanley Cup. He praises the depth and talks about his own hard work.

Jost’s work ethic is legendary. Just the other day, he attended both sessions of training camp. He’s the only player to have done so. In a league of hard workers, on a team of workaholics, Jost is one of the hardest workers. Top three easily.

One reporter was not polite enough to be circumspect about the depth question. Arguably, that’s his job. However, you’ll see at the 1:50 mark below that the smile drops off of Jost’s face as soon as he hears the reporter’s name:

More from Mile High Sticking

• Could Colorado Avalanche move on from Pavel Francouz next offseason?
• 4 goalies to replace Pavel Francouz if he has to miss time
• Colorado Avalanche make sneaky signing with Tatar
• Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog could return in 2023-24 playoffs
• Colorado Avalanche rookie face-off tournament roster

I’m not giving him my press here, for what that’s worth. However, I will say he’s been very unprofessional in taunting Jost from his official Twitter account. He even gave Tyson an unflattering nickname. You don’t do that to a professional athlete on your beat — not unless you want the rigid, rote answers Jost gives in response to his question.

Say what you want about Terry Frei, he was a consummate professional in this interview. In fact, it’s his question Jost was smiling about. He asked what it would be like for the team to be in Edmonton with his family so close but unable to see him.

Jost laughs ruefully. He says his family will be only 15 minutes away, so it will be weird to be so close but unable to see him. And then he gives the money quote:

“I won’t see them for two-and-half months.”

That’s a money quote because only the two teams competing for the Stanley Cup will be in isolation that long. That tells us the Avs have the full expectation to be one of those teams.

Anyway, the Colorado Avalanche have a lot of depth, and Jost is a part of that. Never forget — he heats up in the playoffs. I haven’t forgotten — hopefully the coaching staff hasn’t forgotten either.