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...
Blues Prospect Adam Jecho Faces An Unexpected Pause At Camp
Adam Jechos start to camp has taken an unexpected turn, with the 20-year-old Blues forward suddenly away from the team as St. Louis begins its preseason work. The NHL and NHLPA announced that Jecho will be unavailable while receiving care through the Player Assistance Program, a development that removes one of the organizations young prospects from the ice just as camp gets underway.
For the Blues, the focus now shifts to managing his development path without him in the building for the time being. Jecho will remain away from on-ice competition until program administrators clear him to return, leaving the organization to move forward with training camp and revisit his next steps once he is eligible to rejoin the club. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Roster Battles Are Already Taking Shape Around New Faces
Informal practices are already underway for the Blues as they start sorting out the shape of a 2026-27 roster that still has plenty of room for competition. Rookies, prospects and veterans have all been on the ice together in these early sessions, giving the coaching staff an early look at how the new mix fits before the real exhibition schedule begins.
Dillon Dube, Brandon Carlo and Cam Fowler were among the players who spoke with reporters after the workouts, while Mason McTavish also drew attention in his first public comments since joining the Blues this summer. With the club moving toward its first preseason game, the early conversations and on-ice reps are already starting to hint at where the roster battles may be headed, even if the most important questions are still waiting to be answered. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Top Line Could Reshape St. Louis Scoring In A Big Way
The idea of St. Louis getting a true top line centerpiece is starting to look less like a wish and more like a blueprint for the 2026-27 season. Robert Thomas has already established himself as the driver of the offense, and if the Blues keep him between Dylan Holloway and Jimmy Snuggerud, the three could give the club a first unit built around skill, pace and finishing touch. Holloways playmaking and Snuggeruds growing offensive upside would fit neatly around Thomas vision, giving St. Louis a line that could set the tone for a much more dangerous attack.
What makes the projection intriguing is how much of the Blues scoring ceiling could hinge on that one trio clicking at the right time. Thomas is being viewed as the player most likely to pace the team in overall production, while Holloway could push for a strong assist total and Snuggerud looks like the kind of young scorer who might force his way into a bigger role. It is still all dependent on health and lineup stability, but if the alignment holds, St. Louis may finally have a top line capable of reshaping where the goals come from and how often they arrive. [Read more 🡒]