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Makar, Toews pairing impresses; Byram to arrive soon after WJC |
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Rick Sadowski
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Coach Jared Bednar liked what he saw of the Cale Makar/Devon Toews pairing when the Avalanche scrimmaged Wednesday.
Toews, who was acquired in October from the New York Islanders, and Makar, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season, were separated at times because of an uneven number of defensemen.
The plan is to keep them together when the season begins next Wednesday against St. Louis at Ball Arena.
“I really did like the Makar-Toews group,” Bednar said. “Both are real good skaters, so it’s hard to get anywhere to create any offense against those guys; they’re defending well, and their puck-moving ability is exceptional.
“They were up on the rush, helping out the offense, moving pucks out of our zone, all the things you’d expect them to do. It is the reason we like them together.”
Makar, 22, is entering his second full season after making his NHL debut against Calgary in Game 3 of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. Makar, who is 5-feet-11 and 187 pounds, was the Avalanche’s second-leading scorer last year with 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 57 games. He had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 15 playoff games.
The 6-1, 191-pound Toews, 26, had 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 68 games last season, all career highs, with 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 22 playoff games.
“They’re similar but different players, but their puck-moving ability … you’re probably going to see them playing a lot on the ice with the (Nathan) MacKinnon line, so they can help be a part of our offense and drive that line as well.”
Makar, who spent much of last season paired with Ryan Graves, said he’s looking forward to spending more time with Toews as camp progresses.
“He thinks the game really fast, he moves the puck really well,” Makar said. “I can’t wait to truly get in there with him and play some full ‘D’ with him. I think our strength will be at moving the puck. We want to be fast, get up the ice fast with a one-pass breakout.
“I’m excited to get more into playing with him and get some more serious defensive-zone drills.
You want to be responsible in your own end first regardless of the situations the coaches will put us in. We’re going to try and do our best. It’s going to be a big thing for our team this year, playing consistent defense.”
The Avalanche will be off Thursday and resume practices Friday.
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Defenseman Bowen Byram is expected to arrive in Colorado on Thursday or Friday after playing for Team Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton. Team USA defeated Canada 2-0 Tuesday night to win the gold medal.
Bednar said Byram went home to pack and will have to quarantine for seven days in Colorado and pass four negative COVID-19 tests before he can enter the practice facility.
Byram, 19, was the Avalanche’s first-round pick (No. 4) in the 2019 NHL draft.
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The same five players -- Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Johnson, Philipp Grubauer, Brandon Saad and Keaton Middleton -- are still unfit to practice.
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