Mandatory skate fenders — a high-strength plastic molding that Velcros over a skate boot — is part of the Avalanche’s new protection plan.
In addition to insuring the players’ feet from dangerous slap shots, more capable and deserving bodies surround coach Patrick Roy.
Depth is no longer in doubt, with tight positional battles unfolding at all three positions and reinforcements behind that.
Roy and general manager Joe Sakic — who are beginning their third year together as Colorado’s top two day-to-day executives — have turned the Avs’ biggest weakness in 2013-14 into one of its strengths.
“Depth here has been much better than any other year,” Sakic said before Thursday’s preseason game against Calgary at the Pepsi Center. “To have tough decisions is good. Bottom line is, we want to make sure we have the best lineup we can possibly have. Seeing the pace of play in practice and the Burgundy/White (scrimmage Sunday) we’re much deeper than previous years.”
Forward Jack Skille, defenseman Brandon Gormley and goalie Calvin Pickard are at the forefront of those pushing for opening-night jobs. Skille, 28, and Gormley, 23, are two former first-round draft picks in their first preseason in Colorado, with both trying to unseat veterans with guaranteed contracts.
Skille is on a professional tryout contract and Gormley — acquired in a trade that sent like-minded defenseman Stephan Elliott to Arizona — is on a two-way deal for 2015-16. The Avs have no long-term financial investment to either player, but that could change.
Skille played right wing Thursday on a line center Matt Duchene and John Mitchell. Gormley did not play against the Flames but will likely continue to play with partner Tyson Barrie in the ensuing preseason games.
Pickard, 23, a second-round draft pick of the Avs who at times led the NHL in save percentage last season, served as Reto Berra’s backup Thursday. Pickard is trying to play the full year in the NHL as Semyon Varlamov’s backup and occasional starter.
Problem is, Berra is on a guaranteed contract and Pickard is on a two-way deal and waiver exempt, meaning he can come and go from the minors and not be claimed by another team.
“At the end of the day, Varly is our guy, and then we’ll see who gets the next 20-25 games,” Sakic said. “At (Pickard’s) age, he does need to play. If he’s here, he’s going to have his opportunity to play. We don’t want Varly to end up having to play 70 games.”
Gormley is not waiver exempt. Demoting him to the minors could result in losing him.
“He’s in the same situation that Steph (Elliott) was in — either play on the big club or get sent down and risk getting picked up on waivers,” Sakic said. “We made this trade for both players. Both players wanted a new start.”
Gormley said he was unaware that Colorado has seven defensemen on one-way contracts, plus Nikita Zadorov, 20, who is bound to stick. The Avs will probably keep eight defensemen.
“That’s not my job to figure out contracts and where to put people,” Gormley said.
Skille has 239 games in the NHL and his experience likely puts him ahead of up-and-coming forwards Borna Rendulic, Dennis Everberg and Andreas Martinsen, who each were signed as European free agents.
From a role perspective, Skille is capable of playing on any line, which sets him apart.
