The Colorado Avalanche’s preseason ended on a flat note in Utah, where a mostly Eagles-heavy lineup fell 2-0 to the Mammoth and finished exhibition play at 2-2.
This one was always going to look different. Colorado traveled with just a handful of regulars - Brent Burns, Josh Manson, Nic Roy and Scott Wedgewood among the main Avalanche names - and dressed only 11 forwards. Nikita Prishchepov was recalled from the Eagles again to help fill out the group, underscoring just how thin the roster was for the finale.
The early penalties made the night even tougher. Colorado took four minors in the first period, and Utah made the Avs pay. Jack McBain opened the scoring after botched face-off coverage left a rebound sitting in front of the net, then Logan Cooley added a second on one of those power plays to send the Mammoth into the first intermission up 2-0.
Colorado’s options kept shrinking from there. Taylor Makar’s night was over before the second period began, though there was no official explanation.
The Altitude radio broadcast speculated he may have absorbed a couple of big hits in the first period. The Avalanche did get chances in the second, including a 5-on-3, but couldn’t convert.
In the third, Kevin Stenlund appeared to add another Utah goal, only for the play to be wiped out for goaltender interference. The score stayed put, and the 2-0 result held.
There was never much reason to expect a polished performance given the roster Colorado brought west, but the lopsided shot total - 35-25 in Utah’s favor - and the overall analytics made the night look even rougher. With veterans sitting and the game never really competitive, it wasn’t the kind of setting that offered much clarity for final roster decisions. TJ Hughes and Gavin Brindley, in particular, didn’t do much to separate themselves in their last exhibition looks.
Makar’s departure stood out as the most notable concern, since he remains in the mix for a roster spot alongside Hughes and Brindley. The other absence that raises questions is Zach L’Heureux, who did not play in either game over the weekend.
He was present for the loss in Winnipeg, but did not get into this one despite Colorado’s short bench and Prishchepov’s recall. That could be something worth watching, especially if it helps open a path for Hughes.
The Avalanche are expected to practice Sunday morning, which could provide some clarity if there are any additional absences.
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Avalanche Roster Crunch Is Putting Two Bubble Spots In Focus
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One of those spots appears to be tied to goalie Trent Miner, who is likely headed to waivers, while defenseman Taylor Makar is expected to be reassigned to the AHL because of injury and his waiver exemption status. Even after the final moves are made, the Avalanche are planning to start the season with 22 players because of salary cap constraints, which means the last decisions are about more than just camp performance. [Read more 🡒]
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Now the Blue Jackets are reportedly folding Woods deal into trade talks involving Kirill Marchenko, looking for a team willing to absorb the contract. For Avalanche fans, it is a reminder of how quickly a familiar name can shift from crowd favorite to salary-cap wrinkle, with the next step depending less on his play than on whether another club is willing to take on the financial baggage. [Read more 🡒]