Throughout the summer months, optional skating sessions have persisted, drawing consistent participation from players committed to honing their craft and preserving competitive form.
Among those in attendance getting in early workare established NHL veterans such as Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Brent Burns, Brock Nelson, Sam Girard, and Jack Drury. At the same time, these sessions have also attracted a strong contingent of prospects eager to make their mark and earn a place at the next level
including Nikita Prishchepov, Zakhar Bardakov and Matt Stienburg.
Each year, one of the more compelling narratives centers on a prospect whose chances of making the opening night roster remain within the realm of possibility. Within the Colorado Avalanche prospect pool options are slim but there still are a few candidates who could snag a roster spot on opening night.
Redefining The Ceiling
Prishchepov hardly turned heads early in his career. Selected ninth by Colorado in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, he was an overager from the QMJHL who had gone undrafted in his first two years of eligibility. But that doesn’t quite tell the whole story. In his first season in North America, Prishchepov posted 27 points in 67 games. And the following season, he posted 41 points in the same amount of games, which showed improvement, but not quite enough to get drafted. Despite his modest beginnings few would have predicted that any NHL organization—let alone the Avalanche, known for their selectivity—would choose to invest in him. Yet Colorado saw something worth cultivating in Prishchepov, and that belief may soon yield dividends. While some analysts continue to rank the Avalanche’s prospect pool on the lower end of the spectrum, one might reasonably question how many of these critics actually spend meaningful time at the rink, evaluating talent firsthand.
A closer evaluation of Prishchepov over the past several weeks suggests that he may, in fact, be considerably underrated. His shot is particularly notable—marked by precision, cleanliness, and unexpected power, especially behind his one-timers. In addition to his scoring touch, Prishchepov demonstrates commendable on-ice vision and a growing ability to be a playmaker. Given Colorado’s need for depth, his emergence comes at an opportune time.
One of the primary concerns heading into the summer was his defensive reliability. Encouragingly, he has shown marked improvement in this area: his backward skating has become more fluid, his transitions more seamless, and his overall defensive awareness increasingly refined. During drills, he has consistently disrupted plays with poise and anticipation.
Zakhar Bardakov is another prospect generating considerable attention. A prototypical power forward, he plays with a high motor, displays a physical edge, and possesses above-average hands in tight areas. However, where Prishchepov currently holds the advantage is in his defensive reliability. Bardakov has shown signs of struggle in defensive drills over the past week—an area that clearly requires further development.
This observation should not be mistaken for undue criticism. On the contrary, constructive feedback is an essential component of growth. To neglect honest evaluation is to risk undermining a player’s trajectory. Offering only praise, without addressing deficiencies, is akin to telling a boxer he’s the best in the world when he’s not—such flattery, however well-intentioned, can breed complacency and ultimately hinder performance when it matters most.
In hockey, the consequences may look different, but the principle is the same: development demands accountability. Bardakov is a promising player with real upside, but like many young professionals, he still has areas to refine. That’s not a red flag—it’s simply part of the process. And, importantly, he has the time and tools to do so.
Building on Experience
Heading further down the list, a player who has already played half a season in the NHL shouldn’t be considered a dark horse candidate to make the roster but that’s the position Ivan Ivan is in. A later arrival from overseas to informal practices had him skating a few days with the AHL group. Is he already passed over in the eyes of the organization by some fresher faces?
We can’t leave out one of the early call-ups from last season and one that may have played in more NHL games had he not earned a suspension and then missed five months with an injury in the AHL. That player is, of course, Matt Stienburg and his throwback style of play might just be what the Avalanche are looking for if they want some temporary truculence on the fourth line while Logan O’Connor is out.
We will see if any of these four, or an unmentioned surprise, can emerge as a dark horse candidate to secure a spot on the opening night roster when the Avalanche begin their regular season on October 7 at Crypto.com Arena against Darcy Kuemper and the Los Angeles Kings.
