CENTENNIAL — Defensive structure took center stage Friday morning at Family Sports Center, where day two of Colorado Avalanche training camp opened with an emphasis on blue-line pairings and tactical pressure.
There were several adjustments from the previous session. Group 2 took the ice first, rather than Group 1. On the defensive side, Devon Toews was shifted from Group 2 to Group 1 to skate alongside Cale Makar, while Sam Malinski also moved up to Group 1. In goal, Scott Wedgewood and Trent Miner
were assigned to Group 2, while Isak Posch joined Kyle Keyser and Mathis Langevin in Group 1. It was a short session today with less than a hour on-ice for each group including a conditioning skate test. The focus was on controlled 5v5 drills. Let’s take a look at who shined in Group 1.
Scott Wedgewood
With Mackenzie Blackwood still sidelined by a lower-body injury, Wedgewood once again commanded the crease and delivered a performance that stood out from start to finish. He showcased the full breadth of his skill set, first thwarting captain Gabe Landeskog with a deft poke of the stick, then denying Ivan Ivan before flashing a textbook butterfly save that drew an audible reaction from the crowd. His lateral movement and cross-crease reflexes were particularly sharp, reinforcing why the Avalanche were eager to bring him in last season. Wedgewood had several moments where he momentarily lost control of the puck, only to snatch it out of the air before an opposing rebound chance could materialize. Jason Polin and Joel Kiviranta got a taste of Wedgewood’s skills for themselves when he made a series of glove saves. While no goaltender is flawless during the grind of training camp, Wedgewood looked every bit the steady, reliable presence Colorado hoped for. The netminder on the other end of the ice also did an excellent job.
Trent Miner
Miner is coming off a standout season with the Colorado Eagles, where he posted a career-high 38 starts and compiled a 22-10-3 record with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He elevated his play in the postseason, appearing in nine games and going 5-4 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage—evidence that he absorbed greater pressure without sacrificing efficiency. The 24-year-old netminder, a seventh-round pick in 2019 out of Manitoba, continues to show steady development. Like Wedgewood, his cross-crease reaction time stood out as a strength throughout the day, and he was effective with his glove.
Ivan Ivan
Ivan Ivan has impressed throughout camp with his versatility and intelligence on both sides of the puck. He has consistently generated offense—scoring goals and creating plays—while also standing out defensively with an active forecheck, disciplined backcheck, and sharp positional reads. His awareness was on display when he effectively neutralized Zhakhar Bardakov’s rush by cutting off the lane without resorting to physical contact. Ivan combines a quick release with high hockey IQ, and based on camp performance, he has a legitimate case for the fourth line center role ahead of Bardakov. That is less an indictment of Bardakov, who has also performed well, than a testament to the organization’s depth and the razor-thin margins required to separate oneself at this level of the game.
Gabriel Landeskog
For Gabriel Landeskog, it was business as usual. The captain set the tone throughout the session, embodying leadership in every facet—creating plays, defending with conviction, and backing a teammate up when they needed help. In addition, Landy had a sweet goal in the slot that beat Miner. Just as encouraging was his fearless approach: driving hard into corners for loose pucks, showing no hesitation, and skating with the confidence of a player untouched by the major knee surgery that sidelined him in recent years. His presence has already had a palpable impact on the group, reminding everyone what his return means to the Avalanche.
Notable Surprises
Defensemen Devon Toews and Saige Weinstein were paired during drills and looked composed as a unit. While it’s unlikely they will share a pairing in a regular-season game, the opportunity to skate alongside a veteran of Toews’ caliber provided Weinstein with valuable experience. The 18-year-old held his own throughout the session, an encouraging sign for his continued development.
Zakhar Bardakov has shined for a majority of this camp. Although he’s not the greatest defender, he has a way of sneaking into plays late and putting himself in the right position to capitalize on a play. He’s like a counterpuncher with a stick. Now let’s move to Group 1.
Mathis Langevin
Credit is due to 19-year-old goaltender Mathis Langevin, who delivered an exceptional performance on Friday despite being at camp on an invite basis out of the QMJHL. While his teammates weren’t necessarily surprised, they were clearly impressed. During one extended sequence, Alex Barre-Boulet unleashed a flurry of shots, all of which Langevin turned aside with composure. When Barre-Boulet adjusted and uncorked a one-timer, Langevin responded with a clean glove save. The forward offered him a nod of respect, and the crowd inside the arena followed suit with appreciative applause.
Valeri Nichushkin
Valeri Nichushkin looked noticeably sharper on day two of camp than he did on the opening day, when he appeared sluggish skating alongside MacKinnon and Marty Nečas. On Friday, he was moving with purpose and unleashing a heavy shot that carried real force. Fatigue showed late in practice—an understandable byproduct of the demanding pace—and his frustration surfaced when he slammed his stick against the glass. Yet that, too, speaks to the competitiveness within this group. The Avalanche roster is so deep that even in training camp, every rep feels contested. These are professionals, and whether in practice or in a game, their standard is the same: to win.
Sean Behrens/Brent Burns/Keaton Middleton
Sean Behrens and Brent Burns were paired during drills and displayed strong chemistry. Burns anchored the back end while Behrens took command of puck movement, showing poise in transitioning play out of the zone. While the likely preference remains a Burns–Keaton Middleton pairing, the Behrens–Burns combination offered an intriguing look.
Burns delivered an excellent session from start to finish, showcasing both pace and composure. At times he outskated players considerably younger than him, pursuing pucks in the corners with confidence and without hesitation. His presence underscores the value of his offseason acquisition, as he continues to prove himself a significant asset on the blue line.
As for Middleton, he continues to make his case. On day one he stripped the puck from Marty Necas, and in this session he repeated the feat against MacKinnon. Too often overlooked, Middleton has consistently demonstrated that he can hold his own against elite competition. For a player whose value is sometimes underestimated, moments like these carry weight.
Nathan MacKinnon
At this point, superlatives hardly suffice for MacKinnon. It was business as usual for the Avalanche star, whose passion and energy remain as infectious as ever. True to form, he drove play up the ice, generated opportunities, and set the tone with his relentless competitiveness. Late in practice, he reacted with visible frustration after being stripped of the puck, flinging his stick aside. But in truth, that intensity is precisely what distinguishes him—better the player who demands more from himself than one indifferent to the result. MacKinnon looks every bit prepared for another standout campaign.
What’s Next
Day 3 of training camp is scheduled for Saturday at Family Sports Center, running from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Head coach Jared Bednar has already confirmed that Gabriel Landeskog will have the day off as he rests ahead of Sunday’s preseason matchup against the Utah Mammoth.
Sunday will feature two games. The first is set for 2:30 p.m. at DU’s Magness Arena, followed by a 6:30 p.m. puck drop at Ball Arena.
