The Colorado Avalanche's practice session on Sunday provided an intriguing glimpse into their strategy for the upcoming Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. With a depleted backline, head coach Jared Bednar is considering unconventional options, including the potential NHL debut of defenseman Alex Gagne.
Gagne, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound left-shot blueliner, has been a standout in his first pro season with the AHL's Colorado Eagles, amassing two goals in eight postseason games. His physical presence and strong play in the AHL suggest he could be a valuable asset if Bednar needs to bolster his defense. The coach himself acknowledges Gagne's potential, stating, 'We saw a big bottom six in Minny, we're going to see a big bottom six out of Vegas.'
The practice session also saw the return of several players who had been limited in previous days. Devon Toews, Brett Kulak, Nick Blankenburg, and Jack Ahcan were full participants, as were Josh Manson and Sam Malinski, who had been on the ice in limited roles the day before. This increased depth on the blue line is crucial, especially with the absence of key players like Brent Burns and Cale Makar.
Makar, in particular, has been sidelined for non-game skates for a couple of weeks, and Burns, who hadn't missed a playoff game all year, has also been absent from the ice for the last two days. Despite these concerns, Bednar remains optimistic, stating, 'We’ve got some banged-up guys, we’ll see where our health gets to. I think everyone’s going to be available, but we’ll see.'
The Avalanche's strategy of utilizing a variety of players and considering unconventional options like Gagne's potential debut highlights their adaptability and determination to find the right balance for their lineup. As the team prepares for the Western Conference Finals, their ability to manage injuries and make strategic decisions will be pivotal in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
