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.