CENTENNIAL — Much like on day two, Saturday’s session at Family Sports Center showcased a complete, team-wide commitment. From the blue line to the forwards, the Avalanche played with structure and discipline, turning the ice into a proving ground for collective effort rather than individual showings.
Several notable lineup adjustments were made for the session. Captain Gabriel Landeskog and veteran defenseman Brent Burns were given the day off, while Nathan MacKinnon shifted to center a line with
Ross Colton and Joel Kiviranta as apparently all three will not play in tomorrow’s split squad games. Meanwhile, Danil Gushchin moved to the right wing alongside Jack Drury and Valeri Nichushkin. Group 1 took the ice first, setting the tone for the session. Here’s a look at the players who stood out.
Scott Wedgewood
For the second consecutive day, Scott Wedgewood delivered a goaltending clinic, evoking shades of Jean-Sébastien Giguère’s legendary 2003 playoff run with Anaheim. Shot after shot came his way—glove, pad, or stick—and time and again Wedgewood had the answer. Ross Colton tried to beat him high, Devon Toews tested him from the point, and even Nathan MacKinnon pressed the issue with his trademark explosiveness, yet Wedgewood consistently won the duel. With Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined week-to-week due to a lower-body injury, the veteran netminder is seizing the opportunity to showcase his reliability. More than a mere stopgap, Wedgewood is making a compelling case that the crease should be his to lose—perhaps not just in the interim, but as a long-term solution. Tristen Nielsen was one of the few players who managed to get a goal by Wedgewood in the opening session, but was denied in follow-up attempts, including a blistering one-timer that Wedgewood stopped.
Devon Toews
At 31 years of age, Devon Toews appears primed for another steady campaign, building on last season’s 44-point effort (10 goals, 34 assists in 76 games). His hallmark poise and reach were on full display, repeatedly breaking up rushes before they could gain traction—including one thwarting Nathan MacKinnon himself as he attempted to carve into the defensive zone. Toews added bite to his positioning as well, asserting himself in the low slot with punishing shoves and firm body work, ensuring that second-chance opportunities never materialized.
Jack Drury
Credit is due to Drury—not only for standing his ground, but for competing with the kind of relentlessness that leaves no inch uncontested. In front of the net, he locked into a bruising battle with MacKinnon, refusing to yield even against Colorado’s fiercest competitor. When the whistle blew, the intensity carried over: MacKinnon delivered a sharp tap to Drury’s stick, words were exchanged, and teammates made sure to keep them separated on the bench for the remainder of the session.
Such flashpoints are hardly signs of discord; rather, they reflect the combustible mix of MacKinnon’s famed fire and Drury’s fearless determination. These moments can be essential, even rational, in drawing out the best from both sides. It didn’t work in the past for Anton Blidh, unfortunetly. But Drury is different. The Avalanche can’t simply dismiss his edge—the organization needs that steel. In time, this dust-up will fade, leaving only the mutual respect that runs deep between two players who share an unspoken understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Danil Gushchin/Christian Humphreys
As noted on social media Friday, Danil Gushchin’s wrist shot carries more bite than one might expect. That deceptive power has been evident throughout camp, complemented by his sharp stick positioning, which allows him to receive passes cleanly and release shots in stride with little warning for goaltenders.
On the development front, Christian Humphreys continues to stand out as one of the most improved prospects in camp. The young forward dedicated his summer to a strength and conditioning program under Pittsburgh’s renowned trainer Lorne Goldenberg, and the results are showing. His added muscle and stamina have translated into more assertive puck battles and a noticeable jump in his on-ice confidence. Now let’s move to Group 2.
Victor Olofsson
The Avalanche acquired Victor Olofsson this offseason with the expectation that his shooting ability would add another dimension to their offense, and early returns suggest that reputation remains well earned. During initial drills, he carried the puck through the neutral zone with confidence and finished with pinpoint accuracy, seemingly unable to miss. Long regarded as a lethal presence on the power play, Olofsson’s quick release and knack for finding seams should make him a valuable weapon in Colorado’s arsenal this season.
Zakhar Bardakov
Zakhar Bardakov continues to refine his underappreciated toolkit at camp. He’s not the sort of player who dazzles with raw flash, but he has a knack for sliding into the fabric of the game almost imperceptibly before making his presence felt. Midway through the session, he slipped undetected into the offensive zone, corralled the puck behind the net, and executed a perfectly timed wraparound finish. The play was so sly that it took a few beats before teammates and onlookers processed what had unfolded—then the sticks banged and cheers erupted. He also has good vision and made some pretty sweet no-look passes at different points during th drills. Performances like this make the battle between Bardakov and Ivan Ivan for the fourth-line center role all the more compelling to watch. Both guys are very talented. The preseason should determine who gets the role.
Marty Necas
Marty Necas has been a steady force throughout camp, once again showcasing the complete toolkit that made him such a coveted acquisition. His zone entries have been sharp and deliberate, his forechecking relentless, and his ability to create off the rush has kept defenders on their heels. The shot, meanwhile, remains as clinical as ever—deceptive in release and punishing in placement. What stands out most, however, is not just the technical execution but the demeanor. Necas isn’t skating like a man preoccupied with negotiations or burdened by contract noise. He’s skating with freedom, leaning into the joy of competition, and carrying himself like a player intent on driving play rather than protecting leverage. If this is the version Colorado is getting, pay the man. Please.
Jason Polin
Finally, Jason Polin has carried over the sharp shooting touch he displayed during optional skates into the main training camp sessions, and it continues to set him apart. He’s not a zone-breaker in the mold of MacKinnon, nor does he bulldoze through traffic with the force and pace of a Drury. Instead, Polin thrives on precision. When the puck finds his stick, there’s a genuine expectation that it will test the goaltender—and more often than not, it does. Polin will be an important depth piece within the Avalanche system should he end up sticking around.
What’s Next
Sunday will feature two preseason 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.
