The Avalanche’s long game with prospect defender Daniil Gulyayev still has him tied to Avangard Omsk for now, but the door to North America remains open.
Gulyayev said the Avalanche had an entry-level offer on the table last year that would have let him stay in the KHL for the season before coming over later, according to Sport 24’s Dmitry Yerkalov. At some point in those negotiations, though, things broke down, and he ended up signing a two-year extension with Avangard Omsk that starts this season.
Even with that commitment in place, the 21-year-old made it clear he still wants to reach the NHL eventually. For now, he says he’s taking things year by year when it comes to deciding when that move might happen.
Colorado selected Gulyayev 31st overall in 2023, and he put up three points in 54 KHL games last season. When he does make the jump, he’ll likely be waiting for a regular opening on the Avalanche blue line, and that spot isn’t there at the moment.
Elsewhere in the Central, the Blues included veteran goalie Parker Gahagen among their camp invitees. The 33-year-old has spent most of the last decade bouncing between the AHL and ECHL, and last season he appeared in 37 games for ECHL Worcester, finishing with a 2.47 GAA and a .916 SV%.
He also owns 59 career AHL appearances across parts of eight seasons. A strong camp could land him a minor-league deal.
The Stars also unveiled their training camp roster, which features 57 invitees and two tryout players. Goaltender Matthew Humphries is in camp on an ATO, while veteran winger Jack Becker is there on a PTO.
Humphries went undrafted in June after playing 24 games for OHL Oshawa, where he posted a 3.73 GAA and an .888 SV%.
Becker already knows the organization well, having played for a Dallas affiliate since 2021-22. Last season, the 29-year-old recorded 40 points in 71 games with AHL Texas, and he’ll be trying to earn a deal that would bring him back there for the upcoming season.
In Other News...
Avalanche Suddenly Have A Real Ilya Nabokov Goalie Dilemma
Ilya Nabokov is already sounding like a goalie who expects to push for NHL work, even before he has logged an AHL game. For Colorado, that confidence adds another layer to a crease that already looks crowded, with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood both shaping up as starting-caliber options heading into the season.
The wrinkle is that Nabokov may not get a straight line to the NHL right away, and the Avalanche have reason to be patient with his development. A stint in the AHL could be the opening move, but the path back up could open quickly if the depth chart shifts, whether because of an injury or a move that changes Colorados cap picture. [Read more 🡒]
Former Avalanche Defenseman Just Landed A Real NHL Opportunity
Nick Blankenburg is getting another crack at an NHL roster, this time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who brought in the defenseman on a professional tryout as they look for extra depth on the blue line. For Colorado fans, he remains a familiar name from last seasons acquisition, when the Avalanche liked his edge, competitiveness and the way he could jump into the play offensively.
Torontos interest is tied to its own uncertainty on defense, with Chris Tanev still working back from surgery and his status for training camp not yet settled. Blankenburg now gets a real opportunity to show he can fill that kind of role, and for a player whose game has long been built on earning trust the hard way, the timing gives him a meaningful opening. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Fans Finally Get An Early Look At Key Young Names
Before the prospect group heads to San Jose for the Rookie Faceoff, the Avalanche gave fans an early chance to see several of the organizations key young names on the ice together. Colorados group practiced before the trip, with the slate set to include matchups against the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights, and the roster features goaltenders Ilya Nabokov and Nikita Novosyolov along with skater T.J. Hughes, who recently signed with the Colorado Eagles.
For a development staff that wants these events to matter beyond the scoreboard, the weekend is as much about preparation and evaluation as it is about results. Avalanche director of player development Brian Willsie and the players talked about getting ready for the event and the excitement around it, giving a first real glimpse of how this crop is beginning to come together before the competition in California ramps up. [Read more 🡒]