Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Nothing concerning the begin to the Colorado Eagles’ season might be described as significantly regarding.
Because the November schedule opened, the Eagles swept a two-game house set in opposition to Texas. They then received splits in back-to-back sequence in opposition to Coachella Valley and San Jose, two Pacific Division opponents which have had spectacular begins. With a 6-5-0-1 file heading into the center of November, the Eagles actually had not finished any harm to their possibilities to make this a profitable season.
Nonetheless, after a formidable offseason roster shuffle, it felt like there might be rather more for the Eagles to point out.
In spite of everything, the father or mother Colorado Avalanche had taken decisive motion to construct out a robust veteran core that might compete for NHL taking part in time and/or allow the Eagles to compete with a few of the AHL’s prime powers. The Avs additionally did so with a listing of names acquainted to Eagles followers, workforce alumni who opted to return to the robust set-up that the group has constructed with their AHL affiliate in Loveland, simply an hour north of Denver within the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
That proximity makes strikes between the Avs and Eagles simple each for the groups and for gamers. The Eagles have a devoted fan base that makes house dates at Blue Area an occasion, together with being an intimidating setting for visiting opponents.
First the Avalanche landed ahead Jere Innala, who had simply come off a robust season within the Swedish Hockey League with Frölunda, the place he had 28 factors (16 objectives, 12 assists) in 42 regular-season video games. He then helped his workforce attain the league semifinals earlier than going to the IIHF World Championship to signify Finland for the third time.
The strikes got here rapidly as soon as July 1 and free company arrived. On that first day, the Eagles introduced again two-time AHL Most worthy participant T.J. Tynan, a top-pairing choice on the blue line in Jacob MacDonald, and one other top-end veteran for the protection corps in Calle Rosen. All three gamers had skated for the Eagles earlier than, and Tynan had received his first MVP award in 2020-21 whereas captaining the workforce. The next day the Avs signed faculty free agent Chase Bradley, a College of Connecticut ahead who had 22 factors (11 objectives, 11 assists) in 31 video games final season.
Subsequent the Eagles introduced again one other former captain, Jayson Megna. The ahead had spent elements of 4 seasons with the Avalanche and Eagles. This time they lured him again with a two-year AHL deal. Megna spent final season with the Windfall Bruins, the place he completed second in workforce scoring with 56 factors (19 objectives, 37 assists) in 69 video games.
Extra strikes adopted to solidify organizational depth. Goaltender Kevin Mandolese went west in a commerce from the Ottawa Senators on July 15, a contemporary alternative for him after elements of 4 seasons with the Belleville Senators. On August 9 the Avs introduced harmful ahead Matthew Phillips again to the Western Convention after he had simply received a Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears. Having spent most of final season within the NHL with Washington and Pittsburgh, Phillips was not far faraway from his 36-goal season with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022-23. Milwaukee Admirals ahead Tye Felhaber signed on with the Eagles as properly whereas Nashville assistant coach Dan Hinote joined the Eagles as their affiliate head coach to work alongside second-year head coach Aaron Schneekloth.
That they had prospects as properly who may battle these veterans for organizational positioning and contribute with the Avs and Eagles. Ahead Oskar Olausson, a 2021 first-round decide, had collected 11 objectives in 39 video games for the Eagles final season earlier than shoulder surgical procedure final February shut him down. One other ahead, Nikita Prishchepov, opened up loads of eyes after going to the Avs as a seventh-round decide on this previous June’s NHL Draft. He got here to coaching camp, earned a three-year entry-level deal, and reported to the Eagles. By Nov. 1 he discovered himself recalled to the Avalanche, and he has gone on to play his first 9 NHL video games and change into a daily call-up choice.
Early turmoil hit the Eagles, nevertheless. Extremely regarded rookie defenseman Sean Behrens suffered a knee damage throughout apply with the Eagles on Oct. 5 that put him out for the whole season. Accidents additionally pounded the NHL roster early, one thing that rapidly turned a problem for the AHL affiliate as properly. Tynan, one other one of many group’s prime recall choices, ended up taking part in solely two video games with the Eagles in November. Chris Wagner, additionally a veteran ahead, is again with the Avs. Prishchepov has been a frequent I-25 traveler. Eagles ahead Jean-Luc Foudy has been restricted to 5 video games. The Avs additionally introduced in Kaapo Kahkonen by way of waivers from Winnipeg on Oct. 11 for additional goaltending assist. After two video games with the Eagles, he went as much as the Avalanche solely to be misplaced when the Jets reclaimed him on waivers Nov. 12.
But the Eagles have come by that interval. After splitting a two-game house set with Ontario, they hit the highway and went 2-0-1-0 on a swing by Coachella Valley and Bakersfield earlier than sweeping Henderson in a pair of house video games final weekend by a mixed rating of 11-3.
The roster stresses have eased up currently. Tynan rejoined the lineup final weekend. The offseason work has paid off as properly. Phillips holds the workforce scoring lead with 18 factors (5 objectives, 13 assists) in 17 video games. Megna, Innala, and MacDonald observe second, third, and fourth, respectively. Ahead Jake Sensible earned an AHL contract Nov. 13 and has come by with 12 factors (six objectives, six assists) by 13 video games. These 12 factors tie him with Rosen.
After ending a two-game set in Abbotsford right now, Colorado returns house to face the Grand Rapids Griffins subsequent weekend. At 11-7-1-1, the Eagles have inched their strategy to fourth within the Pacific Division. They know that this roster can deal with obstacles. However now’s the time to financial institution factors. January brings 12 video games in a 28-day stretch. They face a road-heavy February and March. Their division is at all times crammed with contenders.
The grind continues, and the Eagles know all too properly that challenges are at all times forward.
On the American Hockey League beat for twenty years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
