September 23rd 2024.
The Colorado Avalanche's penalty kill performance was on track to finish within the top 10 in the NHL, a notable achievement since their last time doing so in the 2020-2021 season. However, a late-season downturn caused them to slip to the 12th spot, with a success rate of 79.7%. This was still an improvement from their previous range of 81-83%. While it may not have been the significant leap they had hoped for, it was still progress.
But with the good news also comes some bad news. The Avalanche now have to fill the shoes of several key players who have moved on. Last season, a total of 18 skaters spent at least 19 minutes on the penalty kill for the team. However, during their recent special teams practice, only seven of those players were present.
According to defenseman Josh Manson, this is just a part of the game. Injuries, trades, and other roster decisions often result in players taking on new roles within the team. The main player that the Avalanche will have to replace this season is Andrew Cogliano, who led the team's forwards with almost 169 minutes of penalty kill ice time.
Not only was Cogliano a crucial player on the team's top forward penalty kill duo, but he also served as a leader on and off the ice for the unit. He set the standard for the others to follow. However, Manson believes that the new players brought in by the Avalanche will be able to step up and fill the gaps. He has confidence in their abilities and believes they have bought into the team's system.
But Cogliano is not the only player that the Avalanche will have to replace. Logan O'Connor was also a key player on the penalty kill, but he was sidelined due to hip surgery. His spot was filled by Yakov Trenin, who arrived at the trade deadline. The second forward duo was often made up of Valeri Nichuhskin and Artturi Lehkonen, but both of these players are currently unavailable.
In addition, Sean Walker and Jack Johnson, who both played important roles on the penalty kill for the defense, are no longer with the team. Other forwards who regularly rotated in on the penalty kill are also no longer part of the organization. This means that there are several spots to fill on both the blue line and up front.
On defense, Calvin de Haan will likely replace Walker and Johnson when he is in the lineup. He may even move up the depth chart, allowing players like Samuel Girard and Cale Makar to take on less ice time during the penalty kill. The situation is a bit more complicated up front, with players like O'Connor, Lehkonen, and Nichushkin expected to play important roles in the rotation.
There are also several new faces in the mix, such as Miles Wood and Joel Kiviranta, who have experience playing shorthanded. Parker Kelly, who led Ottawa's forwards in penalty kill ice time per game last season, could also be a good fit alongside O'Connor. Head coach Jared Bednar has also mentioned Ross Colton and Casey Mittelstadt as potential candidates for the penalty kill unit. And with the addition of veteran center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who is known for his skills on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle, the team hopes to have a strong and versatile unit.
One key aspect of the penalty kill that the Avalanche will need to improve on is their ability to win faceoffs. The top four players in this category last season are no longer with the team, so it will be important for the remaining players to step up and fill this role. Defenseman Devon Toews believes that the team's forechecking and ability to deny opponents at the blue line will be crucial in their penalty kill success.
As for the return of Lehkonen, Bednar has not ruled out the possibility of him being ready for the season opener on October 9th. He is expected to return to practice and resume full contact soon after undergoing shoulder surgery. Overall, the Avalanche are working hard to fill the gaps left by key players and build a strong and effective penalty kill unit. Fans can stay updated on all the latest Avalanche news by signing up for the Avalanche Insider.
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