The Colorado Avalanche lost their first preseason game of 2023 on Sunday by a score of 4-3. Though preseason outcomes do not matter, it still stinks that they lost. That being said, it gave some guys an opportunity to make their mark and have an impact early on. It gave them a chance to show the Avalanche coaching staff whether or not they should be on this year’s team.
One of those players is Riley Tufte. Tufte finished the day with a goal on four shots.
Tufte is a leftwinger who has a chance to be a solid piece to the Colorado Avalanche. While he primarily played outside forward in the past, head coach Jared Bednar is going to give him an even greater opportunity to make this team.
Asked Jared Bednar about Riley Tufte's usage as a natural winger getting moments in the middle: "We really like the steps he took last year. He's a guy knocking on the door. He's a winger, but we have a hole at center so we're gonna try him there. We like him."
— Meghan Angley (@megangley) September 25, 2023
Upon looking at Tufte’s measurements, it looks as if he could fit in extremely well at the center position. He’s a huge 6-foot-6, 230 lb guy and that is a huge benefit when it comes to playing in the middle. In the middle, you want a player who is big and strong. That will help him be able to win faceoffs and power through his opponents.
Tufte could fit on a line alongside Fredrik Olofsson, who is a left wing. Both Olofsson and Tufte have some experience together, as they spent the 2022-23 season with each other with the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche aren’t looking to place Tufte on a high line, with someone like Valeri Nichushkin. He and Oloffson are depth pieces.
Tufte has some work to do and that’s what preseason is going to be for. As of right now, it appears that Tufte is on the right track to make the 2023-24 Colorado Avalanche squad. We will just have to see if that comes to fruition in the coming days.
The regular season for the Colorado Avalanche begins on October 11, against the L.A. Kings. They have five more preseason games until then. The next preseason game is on Monday, against the Vegas Golden Knights.