Avalanche Phase 3 training camp roster is here

The Avalanche just released their Phase 3 camp roster to the public, and here it is:

I count 34 players (four goalies, 12 D-men and 18 forwards) on the Avalanche Phase 3 camp roster. I guess the one notable omission is veteran forward Colin Wilson, who was hurt most of the regular season. As I write this, there is no official explanation on that by the Avs, but I’ll pass it along when/if that happens. I don’t think Wilson would have been included in the top 12 forwards to start the playoffs, yet I do think he would have been some nice veteran insurance in case of injuries. I’m sure Jared Bednar will give a full accounting of why he wasn’t on the roster, tomorrow.

*The Avs roster on NHL.com still lists Wilson as on injured reserve.

The other notable players NOT on the roster, I think, are Martin Kaut and A.J. Greer. If Kaut had played just one game in the postseason, the Avs would have had to eat the first year of his entry-level contract. He played nine games for the Avs in the regular season. I thought the Avs might go ahead and include him as true emergency insurance, but no.

Greer? That’s probably a bad sign for his future with the Avs. This is the last year of his contract with the Avs organization. Who knows, don’t want to speculate on that too much probably, but it’s obviously not a good sign for him.

As reported here a few days ago, the roster includes several players from the Colorado Eagles, including Conor Timmins and Shane Bowers, and also includes top prospect Bo Byram. There are four goalies, including youngster Adam Werner. Unless Wilson was an “opt-out” player (which I haven’t been told is the case) no Avs players took that option. A handful of NHL players have taken it.

Phase 3 camp starts tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. at the Pepsi Center. I’ll be there to report all the details. It will obviously be a surreal thing, not being able to go into the locker room and talk to players individually, but it is what it is. All interviews from Phase 3 training camp (and throughout the playoffs in Edmonton) will be done “virtually.” That’s what happens, I suppose, in a global pandemic.