With NHL training camps just around the corner, there is at least one lingering question that the Colorado Avalanche will venture to answer. Who will fill the second centre position after Nazem Kadri’s off-season departure? The Avalanche have internal depth, off-season acquisitions and even a Professional Try-Out to consider, during the incoming training camp, to fill this void. So let’s take a look at a few of the candidates that may call the second centre spot their new home.
Alex Newhook
Newhook is definitely an interesting option. A lot of people are expecting for this year to be Alex Newhook’s coming out party. He is a speedy and skillful player that has great vision in the offensive zone. However, there are two things that have me worried with him. Obviously with the Rodrigues signing, that could potentially put a damper on Newhook’s coming out party and his checking game, Bednar demands a strong checking game throughout the lineup and that’s what held Newhook out of the lineup in the playoffs. To his credit, there has some pretty impressive footage that’s been coming out of “Newy” during pre-training camp team skates. He’s looking outstanding on his edges and hands are looking real silky. You can definitely tell that he’s been working hard over the off-season. So it’s an understatement to say that the skill is there and still progressing. As long as he can find some solid physical play he may just be able to keep Bednar’s eyes on him for more a top six role.
J.T. Compher
J.T. Compher has spent his career with the Avs in a continuous grind on the bottom six of Colorado’s offensive roster. His development has been meticulous and at often times a bit slow. His offensive output has not been the most stellar part of Compher’s game, but no matter what, Compher’s “blue collar” work ethic and dedication has earned him the title as a dependable third line centre option. Compher’s consideration for a promotion to the top six really begins with his performance in last year’s Stanely Cup playoff run. While Nazem Kadri’s absence, due to injury, J.T. was called upon to soak up some of the crucial playing time left on the table. He did not disappoint by scoring crucial game winning goals, succeeding in the faceoff circle and maintaining a responsible defensive game. This gave a good enough reason to consider J.T. Compher another option to fill that second line centre roll for this upcoming season.
Evan Rodrigues
The newly acquired, Evan Rodrigues, is coming off of his best offensive year in his career. Last year, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he played all 82 games and racked up 19 goals and 24 assists for a total of 43 points. It has been stated by both Joe Sakic and Jared Bednar that they expect Rodrigues has about every shot in the world to be the favourite for the second line centre position. Common sense would tell you that he will clearly get the best look of the bunch. What is the most worrying is Rodrigues’ faceoff percentage is not stellar, only once has it travelled over 50 percent in his whole career. Where Nazem Kadri’s faceoff percentage was a respectful 60 percent, for Rodrigues there is some work to be down in the dots.
Darkhorse Considerations
There are three players on the Avalanche training camp roster that emerge as potential second line centre options. Mikko Rantanen, just like J.T. Compher, served time as the second line centre while Nazem Kadri was injured during the playoffs. Rantanen seemed quite comfortable playing centre, especially for being quickly thrust into such an integral position. Second, the Avalanche have signed NHL journeyman, Alex Galchenyuk to a professional tryout. If Galchenyuk can impress enough to earn a spot on the Avalanche roster, it is also quite possible that his flashes of natural skill can sneak him into that second line centre spot. Last is the rookie Ben Meyers, he saw a little time with the big club last year right before the playoffs and had an impressive few games. As it stands, the Avalanche coaching staff is high on Meyers’ talent and is hopeful that he can develop into a key asset for the Avs.
Conclusion
When you lose an integral part of your lineup like Nazem Kadri, there is no doubt that it will be difficult to fill that spot. Joe Sakic and his front office has made sure that Jared Bednar has plenty of options to pick from when trying to figure out the best way to do just that. All of which by utilising roster depth, savvy off-season signings and even professional tryouts. Soon enough, we will have an answer as to who the Colorado Avalanche will slot into that second line centre position but, for the time being, it seems that there will some pretty healthy competition for said position.
