The Colorado Avalanche could be facing some complex decisions following this past weekend’s rookie tournament.
In particular, Avalanche fans could be seeing two prospects pushing hard for a roster spot.
We’re talking about TJ Hughes and Taylor Makar.
Both forwards had solid weekends. The duo played on the Colorado top line in Saturday’s 7-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks prospect squad.
The Makar-Hughes-Beckett Hamilton unit looked great, giving fans plenty to think about as the main camp approaches this week.
Hamilton, as discussed in an earlier piece, should be a factor at some point down the line. The 18-year-old is still a couple of years away from becoming a significant contributor for the Avalanche.
But that’s not the case for Makar and Hughes.
Let’s start with Hughes. The top NCAA free agent chose Colorado last spring over about half a dozen other organizations wanting to ink him. And now, it seems that Hughes will be a factor for the Avalanche at one point or another this season.
PuckPedia reported comments by Denver Gazette’s Ewan Rawal, stating that Hughes should make his debut for the Avalanche this season. After seeing what Hughes had to offer, it’s not hard to agree with Rawal.
The only question will be when we could see Hughes in the lineup.
As for the junior Makar, we’ve seen the 24-year-old in the lineup before. He’s played a total of 12 NHL games, failing to register a point. Makar has seen very limited ice time, averaging under seven minutes a game.
But that’s something that could change. Makar has the size to displace a more one-dimensional forward like Zachary L’Heureux. That’s why, if there was one roster surprise, it might just be Makar making the team on the fourth line, straight out of camp.
Hughes, Makar could give Avalanche valuable trade chips
If and when Hughes and Makar become fixtures in the Avalanche lineup, the Avs could gain two more valuable trade chips.
No, we’re not talking about trading Hughes or Makar. We’re talking about what could become of L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
The two former Nashville Predators forwards came back in the Jack Drury deal. And if they fall behind Hughes and Makar, which seems like that will be the case, the Avalanche could find themselves with pieces to work with this season.
Now, that could mean flipping them whenever possible for draft picks and/or prospects. The club can then utilize those pieces at the deadline for depth additions.
Thinking about that angle may be a little premature at this point. The likeliest outcome is Hughes and Makar likely starting in the AHL, seeing as they are waivers-exempt. But it may only be a matter of time before we see them in the NHL this season.
Ultimately, seeing Hughes and Makar sent down could come down to cap management. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hughes and Makar elbow their way into the organization’s roster decisions this fall. And if that’s the case, we might even see some unexpected players hit waivers.
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