Avs Game Analysis
Kovalenko Shines in Avs Preseason Loss. Will He Get First Look in the Top Six?
Nikolai Kovalenko is somewhat of a celebrity among the CHN community. And we can all thank my colleague Evan Rawal for his intensive coverage of the Russian forward’s final season in the KHL and eventual move to the NHL last spring.
But the 24-year-old didn’t get the chance he wanted in March. After suffering an injury in the final period of his final game in Russia, Kovalenko needed several weeks to recover and missed out on an opportunity to get into a regular season game. Head coach Jared Bednar was very forward about wanting to see what he had in him before the playoffs.
Kovalenko did end up dressing for two postseason games against Winnipeg, playing a total of 13:36. He hadn’t earned Bednar’s trust, and it was too late to let him get acclimated to the North American game. And that was it for his 2023-24 season.
But things have since changed. Kovalenko has had an entire offseason to prepare to be an NHL regular. And given the absences of Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog and potentially even Artturi Lehkonen to start the year, he’s staring at an opportunity to play heavy offensive minutes in the top six.
In Friday’s 4-2 preseason road loss to the Dallas Stars, Kovalenko showed signs of his offensive brilliance, setting up both Avalanche goals in a lineup that was outmatched in every sense of the word.
Oftentimes, the home team dresses a veteran-heavy lineup of NHL regulars while the road team sends journeymen fighting for a roster spot and young prospects looking to make an impression. Going up against many of the Stars’ best, Kovalenko had primary assists on both the power play and at even strength.
In the first tally, Kovalenko was set up below the goal line on the PP and fed teammate Ivan Ivan through the defender for the tap-in goal.
But his second assist showed more of what he brings. Kovalenko received a pass while entering the offensive zone, and successfully battled on the forecheck against NHL regulars Thomas Harley and Ilya Lyubushkin. He fed Avs forward Parker Kelly from behind the goal for his second point of the evening.
Tied up at two 👊 https://t.co/e3ieEeEYOn pic.twitter.com/3idXwlyh6b
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 28, 2024
Like all NHL teams, the Avalanche are always looking for more skill. And Kovalenko has plenty of that. But it’s his hard-nosed game that makes him the type of blue-collar forward Bednar often falls in love with.
The coach said Friday morning that he’s still searching for two wingers to play with Casey Mittelstadt on the second line to start the season. If needed, he’ll break up the third line and elevate Logan O’Connor. But, if Kovalenko continues to progress in this way, he’ll lock up one of those spots to start the year.
Valeri Nichushkin Expected to Practice With the Avalanche in November: ‘There’s Not One Single Player That’s Not Going To Welcome Back Val With Open Arms’
Deen’s Daily: Rosters Are Set; Regular Season Opens Today; Panthers Get Their Rings
LTIR Explained: How the Avalanche Used the Tucker Poolman Trade To Maximize Cap Space
Artturi Lehkonen Not Expected Back for Several Weeks
Notebook: Is the Avalanche’s Front Office Running Low on Patience?
Avalanche Roster Cut to 30: Final Battles Remain
Avalanche Cut Oskar Olausson, 4 Others on Sunday
Deen’s Daily: Avs’ Olausson Cut; P.K. Subban Is Angry
Avalanche release Pierre Edouard Bellemare from his PTO
Preseason Observations: Avalanche Adjust Lines as Mittelstadt Debuts, Injuries Challenge Depth
Kovalenko def deserves to start top 6. His style of play mimics Lekhonens.
I’m not a fan of how Bednar deals with the young players not named Cale Makar. I definitely think Kovalenko should get a shot, and I don’t think Ritchie should switch to the wing, he’s been a center all his life. Speaking of which, Ross Colton is not very good at faceoffs and has played wing since day 1 in his NHL career.
Here is what I would do:
Drouin – MacKinnon – Rantanen
Lehkonen – Mittelstadt – Kovalenko
Colton – Ritchie – O’Connor
Wood – Bellemare – Polin
Then when Landeskog and Nichushkin are back, it gets very interesting…
Colton is >50% at the dot; he’s one of the Avs best faceoff guys
Actually, Colton was our best face-off man throughout the playoffs, though it was a fairly low bar he had to get over. I do, however, like the idea of him going back to the wing so Ritchie can play center while with the club (whether for 9 games or more), I just don’t really see the “Roaring 20’s” line getting broken up if they don’t have to. My prediction would be Ritchie and Kovalenko join Mittelstadt on the second line, Ritchie gets his 9 game max and goes back to the OHL, which coincides with Lehkonen’s return.
Lekhonen isn’t starting the season so Ritchie would take his spot.
The 20’s line stay together. Then
Kelly bellemare polin/kiviranta.
Then like you said once nuke Lekhonen landy get back it’s gonna be interesting
I would like to see Kovy get a shot in the top 6 to start the year. Call me crazy & I’m not a big fan typically of drawing up armchair line combos. But since he & Lehky have very similar games, until Lehky comes back why not put him with Nate? Since we all know how much he loves to play with Lehky, give him the poor man’s version. And please give Mitts a shooter (Mikko). I know Bednar loves to play Mack & Mikko together. But the forward depth isn’t there, especially to start the season. It’ll make… Read more »
I like the idea of Kovalenko on the top line if he continues to play like this. But, I think he should be with MacK and Mikko. Mittelstadt and Drouin played together last year and seemed to develop a bit of chemistry. Same goes for Lehkonen/Mittelstadt (when Lehky returns). If Kovalenko can hold his own with 29/96 I think he should play there until Val returns.
Aarif, based on what you have seen so far this pre-season, what do you think should be the opening night starting forward lineup? I think the following players will be there, but the line combos are still in flux: Drouin, Mackinnon, Rantanen, Colton, Mittlestadt, O’Connor, Wood, Ritchie, Kovalenko, Bellemare, Kelly, and Kiviranta. I do not think we have seen enough of deHaan, Malinski, Brannstrom, and Kylington to know who will round out the defense.
I totally agree with you man. Right now with the roster in flux it looks like 2017 again if bednar keeps drouin mack moose together.
They should def split them up till reinforcements come. Your analysis is spot on
No need be sorry either. Everyone is entitled to there opinion even if they are reiterating someone else
It would be nice to have an actual real coverage of the training camp. Really guys, it’s about time to get to work. This is pathetic. Free media in Montreal and Toronto are publishing 5 to 6 depth articles a day. You guys are feeding us the same stories over and over again and don’t even cover the pre season games. What am I paying for again ?
Great to see Kovy adjusting so well; will be interesting to see if he can gel with the top players.
Kovy definitely is laying claim to a roster spots. That said, maybe Olausson can teach him how to shoot. If that happens, it will make the first round pick of Oscar worth it! I truly hope the Avs can get something in return when they trade him. Please Kovy, figure out shooting and you will be loved in Colorado!!
Kovy has scored plenty of goals as a pro; but freaking out over one preseason game is definitely on-brand