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Kamenev needs to 'pick up his pace' for chance to make team |
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Rick Sadowski
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Notes and quotes from Avalanche camp Thursday:
* With roster spots at a premium you’d think players would be willing to do whatever it takes to earn one. Surprisingly, that hasn’t been the case for Vladislav Kamenev, according to coach Jared Bednar.
Bednar said the 22-year-old forward will have to “pick up his pace” in practices for a chance to make the NHL roster. "I've had conversations with him about this," he said.
The 6-feet-2, 194-pound Kamenev, who was acquired from Nashville in the Matt Duchene trade, has scored at a good clip in the AHL but needs to show that he can do it at this level.
He’ll obviously have to show Bednar a lot more than he has so far in this camp to get the chance. Kamenev is coming off what was basically a lost season, having missed 50 games with a broken arm he sustained against Washington in his Avalanche debut.
* While Bednar isn’t pleased with Kamenev, he is impressed with Logan O’Connor, who left the University of Denver after his junior year to sign as a free agent in July. O’Connor showed good speed while playing right wing with Matt Calvert and J.T. Compher Tuesday against Vegas.
“He skates hard, he moves the puck,” Bednar said. “Everything he does is at a good pace, if not top speed. He’s a great skater, if not an elite skater. He’s tenacious, he’s hard on pucks. He knows how to check and play the right way defensively and I like his shot. He’s a guy we’re going to watch closely. To me, he’s in the fight to make our team.”
* Calvert, who signed a three-year contract as a free agent, has a muscle strain and didn’t practice Thursday. He said he was drawn to the Avalanche because he’s convinced they are on the right track and will do whatever it takes to win.
“And that’s the No. 1 thing I want to do,” said Calvert, who spent his first eight NHL seasons with Columbus. An efficient penalty killer, he had 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 69 games last season with four points (three goals, one assist) in six playoff games.
“I’ve been in this situation, with a young team that makes the playoffs,” Calvert said. “It seems like all these guys are pushing themselves to (get to) the next level.
“My main things are work ethic and speed. I take a lot of pride in showing up every night. You’re going to have those nights where you don’t feel a hundred percent, but it’s all about being a good pro and finding a way to contribute. That’s something I’m going to try to do, lead by example.”
* Forward Mikko Rantanen left the ice early because of a muscle strain, but Bednar said he didn’t think it was a serious problem.
* Defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Patrik Nemeth practiced while wearing regular jerseys after previously wearing non-contact jerseys. Both had offseason shoulder surgery.
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