Who the Heck are these guys? (2.)
A Fan’s Quick Guide to the Avalanche NewcomersThe 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: JT Compher
Acquired via: O’Reilly Trade
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: End of the 2017/2018 season
Summary of Player: Drafted in 2013 (MacKinnon Draft) in the 2nd round by the Buffalo Sabres. Compher is a NHL coaches dream player. Compher is the prototypical 3rd line winger that works hard, hits hard, plays with his heart on his shoulder and is leadership material. He’ll be entering his 3rd season with the University of Michigan as the Captain of the team for the 2015/16 season. He spent his own money coming to the Avalanche rookie development camp so there are high hopes that he won’t go to free agency after his NCAA career is over.
2015/16 Expectations: Take his bigger role in stride and just keep doing what he is doing in Michigan. Just don’t take a step back in development.
Quotes by Mgoblue.com:
“I have really focused on my overall strength and adding weight to be stronger on the ice and more physical. I have also done both skating power and technique work to be more explosive and faster in game situations. Overall it has been a good summer so far with a lot more work still to do.”
“July has been harder since so many guys are at different camps, but all the guys have a really good understanding of the work that needs to be put in at this time so we can have a successful season. I have been talking to many guys whether they be at camp, home or still in Ann Arbor, and the time and work being put in has been outstanding. I can't wait for more guys to be back in Ann Arbor when I return so we can continue to push towards our goals we have for this season together.”
Name: Mikko Rantanen
Acquired via: 10th pick(1st round) in 2015 NHL draft
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: Opening night of the 2015/16 season
Summary of Player: Big-bodied winger that is one of the most NHL ready players in his draft year. Automatically became top prospect for the Avalanche. Possesses a deadly shot and plays a full 200ft game. As an 18yo Rantanen became the best player on his team, that was full of grown men (TPS of the Finnish League), halfway through the season and never looked back. High ceiling regarding his offensive skill.
2015/16 Expectations: End up in the AHL after training camp and be the leading offensive force on the San Antonio Rampage while learning to play on North American ice. Will probably see some NHL time at the very latest near the end of the regular season.
Quotes by Denverpost.com and Sportsnet.ca:
"Mikko is a versatile forward who brings size, skill and a high compete level," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a news release. "We saw him at our development camp last week and are now eager to see how he does at our training camp in September."
"He's a big, strong, mature, mobile two-way power forward who protects the puck very well, has a great reach and is very strong in battles along the boards and in the corners," Stubb told NHL.com. "He's very close to being the complete package."
Name: AJ Greer
Acquired via: 39th overall(2nd Round) in the 2015 NHL Draft
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: End of the 2018/2019 season
Summary of Player: Big winger who plays for Boston University and the first surprise of the 2015 draft for Avalanche fans. Skipped out on Prep School in order to play this past season for BU. Stats are unimpressive but that is due to his near constant stay on the 4th line before being given a chance in the top 9 for Boston University. Received glowing reviews from Avs fans at the Avalanche rookie development camp for his work effort and tenacity.
2015/16 Expectations: With the graduation of Boston University’s top offensive players it’s time for AJ Greer to step up and show some of his offensive talent.
Quotes by SBNcollegehockey.com:
“Greer started to play better hockey down the stretch -- in all three zones -- and was rewarded with being moved up to the second line. He made the most of his increased playing time with a goal and two assists in the last five games.”
"He's active in the offensive zone. He's big, strong. He's getting more confident," explained Quinn.
Name: Nicolas Meloche
Acquired via: 40th overall(2nd Round) in the 2015 NHL Draft
Soonest He’ll be in an Avs Jersey: Latter half of the 2019/20 NHL season
Summary of Player: Two-way defender that has played like a number 1 defender in the QMJHL since he was 16yo. Meloche is big, loves to use his size against his opponents and is an all situation defender. Meloche has a big point shot and is used as a weapon on the PP much like Kyle Wood(other Avalanche prospect) is used on his team for. Meloche’s biggest weakness is his skating. Specifically his speed and acceleration; however with a good skating coach this weakness can be nullified. Meloche’s ceiling is top pairing defender whereas his floor seems to be at the very least a NHL defender on the bottom pairing.
2015/16 Expectations: Head back to Baie-Comeau work on his skating, contend for a spot on the Canadian U-20 team and continue on his development path.
Quotes by Lastwordonsports.com and Denverpost.com: “Even as a 16-year-old he was playing huge minutes as a top four defenceman, and being utilized on both the penalty kill and the powerplay.”
"Real good two-way game, and another guy with some bite to his game," Hepple said of Meloche. "I always use the reference — a junkyard dog kind of game. Plays hard, tough on people in front of the net. Not afraid to stick his nose in anywhere on the ice. Great shot. Great size. And he's got some smarts. He plays the game the right way."
-- by Geremy McFadden, London, Ontario, Canada --
Eurolanche.com, Worldwide, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
11/08/2015 - 15:00
