The 13th forward and the 7th defenseman
The biggest questions remaining are the final roster spots. Let’s start with the 13th forward. According to Brennan Vogt, there appears to be a four-way competition for the three fourth-line spots. Ivan, along with Parker Kelly, Chris Wagner, and Joel Kiviranta will most likely rotate for those three spots.
#Avs lines based on sweater color this morning #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/ud7lAB6nVd
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 8, 2024
So, who becomes the 13th forward?
On the whole, Ivan is too good to sit in the press box. But then again, Wagner and Kelly provide grit and toughness along with solid defensive play. So, does that mean Kiviranta becomes the 13th forward? Not necessarily.
At the end of the day, the Avs will do well to keep a rotation of forwards on the fourth line, altering the lineup based on specific opponents.
Now, let’s look at the 7th defenseman. According to Vogt, the fourth pairing appears to be newcomer John Ludvig and Oliver Kylington. At the outset of training camp, the projected third pairing was Kylington and Brannstrom.
Brannstrom has since been traded and Malinski seems to have overtaken Kylington. Thus, it appears that Kylington will be the 7th defenseman while Ludvig could be the eighth blueliner.
On the whole, allowing Malinski to play this season is the smartest choice the Avs could make. They lose nothing by giving Malinski the opportunity to show what he can do. Meanwhile, Kylington could become valuable insurance in case of injuries and scheduled rest for regulars.
As for Ludvig, he was a waiver pickup from the Pittsburgh Penguins. That’s not to say he’s a bad player. It’s just that Ludvig should not see much game action unless in emergencies. He’s a low-cost insurance option the Avs will need in case of injuries.
In conclusion, the Avs have one of the deepest rosters in the NHL. The key will be consistency. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are as close to a sure thing as possible. Mikko Rantanen and Casey Mittelstadt are tremendous players. Things look bright for the Avs this season as long as injuries don’t derail the season.