Eurolanche

Who the Heck are these guys? (1.)

The off-season has reached its most boring part. It’s the beginning of August and we still have another month to wait before training camp begins. After all the hype and action that happened in late June and early July, it’s time to look back and see who the Avalanche organization added to the fold. If you’re a fan who loves to watch the Avs but has a hard time keeping track of who the team added and just what those players add to the organization then this is the guide for you. 

Name: Andreas Martinsen (or Bifkaka)
Acquired via: Free Agent signing April 6^th 2015 to a One-Year Entry Level Deal
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: 2^nd half of the 2015/16 NHL season

Summary of Player: 25yo big-bodied winger that played in the DEL (German Elite League) from Norway. Plays a North American style game, goes hard to the net, skates decently enough for a big player and has good hands in close. Prototypical Roy-like player.

2015/16 Expectations: Start in the AHL playing top 6 minutes. In the latter half of the 2015/16 season, gets a cup of coffee at the NHL level to evaluate his progress.

Quotes by Milehighhockey.com:

“His size has definitely not been overstated in stories, and his straightaway speed is like a runaway train. He's going to make an impact right away in the AHL with his size alone. If he can demonstrate a scoring touch, I wouldn't rule out 3rd line upside for this physical force.”

“Martinsen, on the other hand, demonstrated an easy ability to park in front of the net and obscure any sight lines the goalies were hoping to achieve.”

Name: Carl Soderberg (or The Yeti)
Acquired via: Trade then signed for 5yrs @ 4.75AAV
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: Opening night of the 2015/16 season

Summary of Player: Big centerman who has played for the Boston Bruins the past two seasons putting up 44 and 48 points respectively. Legally blind in one eye but still possesses great vision and playmaking skills. Will be a great asset on the Avalanche Power Play while exhibiting solid two-way play.

2015/16 Expectations: Sakic expects him to center Landeskog and MacKinnon to start in training camp. ~50 points and a major part of the Avalanche power play.

Quotes by Denverpost.com:

"I was waiting for Boston to come back to me," Soderberg, a casualty of the Bruins' salary cap problems, said in a phone interview from Sweden.

"When they didn't have room for me, my agent told me Colorado was interested in me. There was no doubt for me. Colorado is a great hockey club. I said go ahead, and then everything went really fast."

Name: Nikita Zadorov
Acquired via: Trade from Buffalo Sabres (O’Reilly trade)
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: Opening night of the 2015/16 season

Summary of Player: Big Russian defender who will be entering his 2^nd NHL season and centerpiece of the O’Reilly trade. Zadorov was taken in the MacKinnon draft by the Buffalo Sabres then spent one year back in Junior and last season in the NHL. He’s a 20yo top 4 defender who towers over nearly everyone. He possesses a mean streak, a big shot from the point, loves his open ice hits and has good mobility. Still is raw in the defensive zone but has top pairing potential. Avs could have a Rob Blake-lite in Zadorov.

2015/16 Expectations: Regular in the Avalanche line-up. Could either be paired with Tyson Barrie or Brad Stuart to start and then end up with Erik Johnson near the end of the season.

Quotes by Denverpost.com and Sabrenoise.com:

"I've played against him, and he's obviously a very good offensive player," Zadorov said of Barrie, whom he has not yet met. "I'm sure we'll work well together." 

“…he is a great man for a shut down role and he has a fantastic point shot. What he really seems to pride himself on his his physicality and his great hitting ability. Throughout the season, he demonstrated it with a vengeance.”

Name: Mikhail Grigorenko
Acquired via: Trade then signed for 1yrs @ 650K AAV
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: Opening night of the 2015/16 season

Summary of Player: Reunited with Patrick Roy at last, Grigorenko is an enigmatic Russian forward who can turn the O’Reilly trade into a big win for the Avalanche. Grigorenko is a big center who can play wing if need be. He’s not physical but does use his size to shield the puck. He’s also an excellent passer that also possesses a good shot. He’s patient with the puck which makes Grigorenko an excellent Power Play player. Lots of untapped offensive potential. Grigorenko is probably the most hard working NHL player this off-season.

2015/16 Expectations: A useful addition on the powerplay along with starting on the right track towards getting close to his potential. Will probably start on the 3^rd line but could end up flanking Matt Duchene in the top 6 sooner rather than later.

Quotes by Denverpost.com and RDS.ca:

"It was great when I saw the trade, and it got even better when I knew it was with Nikita," said Grigorenko, who speaks fluent English. "It's great being able to go somewhere with one of your best friends. I'm really excited about that. We're really good friends. He's a good guy, and we've known each other for a while.”

Before being traded, the center player had decided to spend his summer in Quebec to refine his skating. Training with expert Julie Robitaille is started for three weeks now and there is already a progression.

"Julie showed me good techniques, said the former Remparts. She thinks I've greatly improved my skating ability. It will be a new element that I bring to my game. " 

"We already see a marked improvement, says her coach. From the first session, I quickly corrected things and it already felt better, more comfortable and more explosive. "

-- by Geremy McFadden, London, Ontario, Canada --