In case you missed it, the Avalanche’s 2015 No. 1 draft pick Mikko Rantanen won’t be introduced to the Denver media until Monday, July 6, during the first day of the team’s development camp at Family Sports Center in Centennial. According to an Avs spokesman, Rantanen flew back to Finland after the draft, but will attend the D-camp — which this year includes two days of on-ice activities.
In the past, the Avs haven’t had their prospects skate, but rather just focus on off-ice training, nutrition and team building. The camp schedule should be released this week.
Check out these Rantanen highlights from the 2015 World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto. Late in the video, TSN’s Bob McKenzie suggests Rantanan was the WJC’s most impressive player — in a tournament that included Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and 2016 draft-eligible superstar Auston Matthews. Rantanen scored half (four) of Finland’s goals.
NHL free agency starts Wednesday, 10 a.m. MT. Please check denverpost.com/avalanche and this blog for daylong updates.
I filed this UFA chart for Wednesday’s paper/online — the guys I think the Avs have the most interest in, and with the defensemen, they’re all lefties because we know that’s coach Patrick Roy’s preference. The “notable others” doesn’t necessarily mean the Avs have any interest.
DEFENSEMEN
Player, team, age, previous cap hit
1. Andrej Sekera, Kings, 27, $2.75 million
2. Christian Ehrhoff, Penguins, 32, $4 million
3. Johnny Oduya, Blackhawks, 33, $3.37 million
4. Matt Irwin, Sharks, 27, $1 million
5. John Moore, Coyotes, 24, $850,850
Notable others on the market (no particular order): Mike Green, Capitals; Cody Franson, Predators; Matt Bartkowski, Bruins; Matt Donovan, Islanders; Francois Beauchemin, Ducks; Paul Martin, Penguins; Andrej Meszaros, Sabres; Zbynek Michalek, Blues; Jan Hejda, Avalanche; Ryan Wilson, Avalanche.
FORWARDS
Player, team, age, previous cap hit
1. Matt Beleskey, Ducks, 27, $1.35 million
2. Justin Williams, Kings, 33, $3.65 million
2. Antoine Vermette, Blackhawks, 32, $3.75 million
3. Michael Frolik, Jets, 27, $3.3 million
5. Chris Stewart, Wild, 27, $4.15 million
Notable others on the market (no particular order): Mike Ribeiro, Predators; Martin St. Louis, Rangers; Mike Santorelli, Predators; Brad Richards, Blackhawks; Scottie Upshall, Panthers; Rich Peverley, Stars; Joel Ward, Capitals; Jiri Tlusty, Jets; Curtis Glencross, Capitals; Tyler Kennedy, Islanders; Daniel Briere, Avalanche.
