Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
There’s nothing particularly alarming about the start of the Colorado Eagles season.
The Eagles swept Texas in two games at home as the November schedule began. They then face Coachella Valley and San Jose in back-to-back series, both Pacific Division foes off to impressive starts. Entering mid-November, the Eagles had a record of 6 wins, 5 draws, 0 losses and 1 loss, which certainly did not do any harm to their chances of a successful season.
Still, after an impressive offseason roster shuffle, the Eagles appear to have more to show.
After all, the parent Colorado Avalanche have taken decisive action to build a strong veteran core that can compete for NHL playing time and/or allow the Hawks to compete with some of the AHL’s top teams. The NFL has done the same, and the list features names familiar to Eagles fans as Eagles alumni who chose to return to the organization with the strong roster they built with their AHL affiliate in Loveland, just north of Denver. Just an hour away and in the shadow of the NFL.
This proximity makes a move between Avs and the Eagles easy for both the team and the player. The Eagles have a loyal fan base that makes home games at the Blue Arena an event, while also providing an intimidating environment for visiting opponents.
First the avalanche lands forward Jerry InaraComing off an outstanding season with Frölunda of the Swedish Hockey League, he scored 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in 42 regular season games. He then helped the team reach the league semifinals and represented Finland in the IIHF World Championship for the third time.
The moves come quickly after free agency arrives on July 1. On Day 1, Eagles bring home two-time AHL MVP TJ Tynanthe top pairing options on the blue line Jacob MacDonaldand another top veteran of the Wehrmacht Rosen Street. All three players have previously played for the Eagles, with Tynan winning his first MVP award as captain in 2020-21. Day 2, Avs signs college free agents Chase BradleyForward from the University of Connecticut, he scored 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 31 games last season.
Next, the Eagles brought back another former captain, Jason Megna. The forward spent parts of four seasons with the Avalanche and Hawks. This time they lured him back with a two-year AHL deal. Megna played for the Providence Bruins last season and ranked second on the team in scoring with 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) in 69 games.
More steps to solidify organizational depth followed. goalkeeper Kevin Mandolis He was traded to the West from the Ottawa Senators on July 15, a new opportunity for him after four seasons with the Belleville Senators. On August 9, Avs brings dangerous striker Matthew Phillips He had just returned to the Western Conference after winning the Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears. Phillips spent most of last season in the NHL with Washington and Pittsburgh and is not far off from a 36-goal season with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022-23. milwaukee admirals forward Tye Fairhaber and signed with the Eagles while serving as an assistant coach in Nashville Dan Hinault Joins Eagles as associate head coach, working alongside second-year head coach Aaron Schnicklos.
They also have the potential to compete with these veterans for organizational status and contribute to the Avs and Eagles. forward Oscar OlausenThe 2021 first-round pick played 39 games for the Eagles last season, scoring 11 goals, but retired last February due to shoulder surgery. Another striker, Nikita PrisepovAfter entering the Avs as a seventh-round pick in this past June’s NHL draft, his performance has been eye-opening. He came to training camp, received a three-year entry-level contract, and reported to the Eagles. By November 1, he found himself recalled by the Avalanche and went on to play in his first nine NHL games and became a regular call-up option.
However, early confusion struck the Eagles. Highly regarded rookie guard Sean Behrens He injured his knee in practice with the Eagles on October 5, causing him to miss the entire season. Injuries also hit the NHL lineup early, which quickly became a challenge for the AHL affiliate. Tynan was another of the organization’s top recall options, but he played in just two games for the Eagles in November. Chris Wagneralso a veteran forward, returns with the Avs. Prisepov is a frequent traveler on I-25. eagle forward Jean-Luc Foudy Limited to five games. Avs also introduced kapo kakkonen Further goaltending help came via waivers from Winnipeg on Oct. 11. After two games with the Eagles, he headed to the Avalanche, but lost when the Jets claimed him from waivers on Nov. 12.
The Eagles are past that period, however. After splitting a pair of home games against Ontario, they hit the road and posted a 2-0-1-0 record at Coachella Valley and Bakersfield before falling short in two home games last weekend. The total score was 11-1, sweeping Henderson.
Roster pressure has eased recently. Tynan rejoined the lineup last weekend. The offseason work paid off, too. Phillips leads the team in scoring with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 17 games. Meghna, Inara and McDonald were second, third and fourth respectively. forward Jack Wise Received an AHL contract on November 13 and scored 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 13 games. Those 12 points tied him with Rosen.
After completing two games today in Abbotsford, Colorado will return home next weekend to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Eagles are fourth in the Pacific Division with an 11-7-1-1 record. They know this roster can overcome obstacles. But now it’s time to save your points. January has 12 games in 28 days. They face February and March when roads are busy. Their division is always full of competitors.
The struggles continue, and the Eagles know there are always challenges ahead.
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor for SiriusXM NHL Network Radio . In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
