CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Training camp is underway, starting on Thursday morning for the Colorado Avalanche. For many fans attending, it was their first time seeing some players. This year, with a condensed preseason, the Avalanche brought in their largest roster in years. Twenty defensemen are on the roster and seven goaltenders, but Trent Miner will have to sit this one out with a lower-body injury. Cale Makar also was out for part of the first group but left early. It was more than we expected him to do, though. During Media Day, the Avalanche said that a rookie was injured, and it turned out to be Shawn Carrier. Here are some of the observations from day one of training camp.

Nathan MacKinnon looks great

Nathan MacKinnon said on Wednesday that he took a shot to the knee during the Western Conference Finals against Vegas. After the shot, he said that his leg had gone numb and was a bit of an issue, but the puck to his face hurt worse. If he was having issues with his knee, MacKinnon did not show it on Thursday. He was speeding along just like normal and stopping on that leg with no issues.

Hamilton needs to speed it up

Beckett Hamilton, who was a standout during the Rookie Faceoff, skated on the same line as Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri. He definitely has some skill, but his speed is lacking. We need to keep in mind that he is only 18-years-old and has a lot of time to work on it. There was a drill that he could have beaten Brett Kulak to the corner, but his speed and lack of experience let Kulak beat Hamilton out.

T.J. Hughes shows off

T.J. Hughes worked with the top line in the second group on day one. His line mates were Brock Nelson and Jaden Schwartz. Hughes had no trouble keeping up with the two; he even out-skated them at times. During some drills, his stick work really stood out and could separate him from a “could make” to a “will make” the Avalanche squad to start the season. His work ethic, which we have discussed already, may also play a factor in the Avalanche’s decision making too.

Nabokov making a good case

Ilya Nabokov has been putting in the work himself. He showed up a couple of weeks ago to adjust and prepare for the Rookie Faceoff. Nabokov has told the media that he would like to make a push for the NHL. Now, with Trent Miner out with an injury, it seems a real possibility that Nabokov will be the starter in Loveland. To begin the season, that is. He has made some impressive scrambles for saves, including this one here. And besides Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood, Nabokov is a clear standout in the goaltending department.

The mood on the ice from the players in both groups was cheerful yet intense. You could tell that they were happy to be there and get the season going again.

Up next

The Avalanche will be back at it on Friday morning, starting at 9 a.m. with Group Two. Come early in order to get your seat, as the crowd was big for a Thursday and will only get bigger!