Few new jobs will be won on the Avalanche during this training camp, but Zach Redmond is in the mix for a place as an extra defenseman and is well aware that relative unknowns like Nate Guenin and Nick Holden were in a similar spot a year ago before they earned places on the opening night roster and stayed all season.

Redmond, who signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent July 1, has impressed coach Patrick Roy with his skating, puck movement and defensive positioning the first few days in camp, which included his play Monday night in the Avalanche's 5-2 preseason loss to Anaheim at the Pepsi Center.

Roy singled out Redmond, 26, and Duncan Siemens, 21, and a first-round pick in 2011, as the team's best defensive pair against the Ducks. The other pairings: Erik Johnson and Brad Stuart, and Chris Bigras and Max Noreau.

"They both played really well," Roy said. "They both came here to make a good impression and that's what they did."

Redmond, who is 6-feet-2 and 205 pounds, was a seventh-round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008. He played four years at Ferris State and captained the Bulldogs as a senior in 2010-11 when he was a Central Collegiate Hockey Association first team all star with seven goals and 20 assists in 26 games.

The Traverse City, Mich., native spent most of the past three seasons with St. John's in the AHL, where last year he had six goals and 19 assists in 40 regular-season games, with two goals and 12 assists in 21 playoff games.

Redmond made his NHL debut in 2012-13 with the Winnipeg Jets after the franchise moved from Atlanta, and he had one goal and three assists in eight games. He played in 10 games with the Jets last season and had one goal and two assists.

"It was pretty backed up there at right defense," Redmond said of Winnipeg. "I guess that's ultimately what caused the move. I've had a few chances, but I guess that's how it goes. Sometimes there's no room and, fortunately, I had the opportunity this summer to pick another team with hopefully another opportunity. This seems to be a great fit.

"I'm very excited to be here. I think it fits right in with how I play. They want to play quick and move the puck quick and I think I can help them do that. I'm just looking to do what any kid trying to crack the lineup does, contribute and work hard. We'll see how it goes."

Guenin and Holden were in similar spots a year ago after spending the bulk of their careers in the minors. Guenin wound up playing in 68 games and was rewarded with a new two-year, $1.6 million contract. Holden didn't get much action in the beginning but played in 54 games and scored 10 goals. He was given a three-year, $4.95 million contract extension that starts in 2015-16.

"Hopefully that's something that I can do," said Redmond, who scored from the right point Monday on a wicked shot that was tipped by a Ducks player past goalie Jason LaBarbera. "I just want to continue to learn every day. These guys are very helpful, great with answering questions, great with teaching, great motivators. It's a good city and I'm really excited to be here. I think this could be a good opportunity for me and I just have to make sure I take advantage of it."

Roy said he's liked what he's seen of Redmond so far.

"He's got great offensive skill, moves the puck well," Roy said. "He had a good shot on net, it was tipped by their guy and went top shelf. I liked his game overall. I thought he was under control, he played well in his own zone. He was not out of position and I was very pleased with that."

Redmond had one shot, one hit and one blocked shot in 18:14 of ice time against the Ducks. He was a minus-1 but was on the ice when Jakob Silfverberg scored into an empty net with 1:33 remaining in the game.

"I just try and be as solid as I can everywhere," he said. "I wouldn't say I'm more offensive than defensive. I've been on the PK, I've been on the PP, it's just a matter of where they need me. I try and bring a good two-way game and play physical when I need to. There's only one or two spots, so I guess it's up to me and guys like me to make sure they work hard and earn their opportunity because it's a privilege."

Siemens was limited to 46 games with Lake Erie in the AHL last season because of injuries. A physical 6-3, 205-pounder, he had one goal, three assists and 45 penalty minutes.

Siemens has played well in camp but is likely to begin the season with Lake Erie because he needs more experience and won't get it by being an extra defenseman. He had one shot, three hits, one blocked shot and was minus-1 Monday while playing 17:16.

*****

Highly-regarded defense prospect Chris Bigras, a second-round draft pick in 2013, and 2014 first-round pick Conner Bleackley were among the 16 players the Avalanche reassigned or cut Tuesday, reducing the training camp roster to 40 players.

The following players have been reassigned to the AHL training camp in Cleveland: goalie Sami Aittokallio, left wing Troy Bourke, center Paul Carey, left wing Trevor Cheek, center Nate Condon, defenseman Cody Corbett, center Mitchell Heard, center Garrett Meurs, center Michael Sgarbossa, center Colin Smith, defenseman Karl Stollery and goalie Francois Tremblay.

The following players were reassigned to their respective major junior teams: defenseman Chris Bigras (Owen Sound, OHL), center Conner Bleackley (Red Deer, WHL) and defensman Mason Geertsen (Vancouver (WHL).

Right wing Kenny Ryan, who was on a professional tryout, was released.



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