CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Training camp always brings a breath of fresh air around the rink. There is hope for the new season, excitement for what is coming. Fans find out how some of the new players look or there is a glimpse at some lines that the head coach will use. Day one of training camp for the Colorado Avalanche was no different. Before camp started, the release of the group list may have given everyone clues about the lines that coach Jared Bednar is considering. Day one may have also shown the fans who wants the remaining spots. There were several players who have shown some improvement and some extra grit.

Lines during day one

To some, the groups and lines may not seem like much. But looking at the top two lines of each group today may show how Bednar may want to start the season. Nathan MacKinnon centered the top line with Valeri Nichushkin and Martin Necas flanking the wings. The second line came as no surprise with Brock Nelson up the middle with Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen on the wings. Lines three and four are where fans could find some actual information. Jack Drury is getting a chance as the third-line center with Ross Colton and Victor Olofsson on the wings. The fourth line includes the “rookie” Zahkar Bardakov up the middle with Parker Kelly and Joel Kiviranta on the flanks.

This could tell fans that Bardakov could get the first crack at the open roster spot in Denver. This leaves players like Nikita Prishchepov fighting for a call-up from the Colorado Eagles.

Players that stood out

Fans were very critical of defenseman Keaton Middleton last season as he had his first opportunity in the NHL. In training camp on Thursday (and informal skates before), Middleton was smart in his defensive positioning on the ice. He was making poke checks in the high-danger areas and even took the puck away from Necas. Matt Stienburg, who played eight games with the Avalanche last season, was doing a TON of work on the fourth line. He is extremely hungry to get back with the big club after dealing with injuries all year. Nichushkin was flying alongside MacKinnon, but Necas was struggling to do much. Necas caught his stick in own feet and went flying into the boards.

Mark Senden, attending camp with an AHL contract, popped during the second group. His speed put him ahead of a lot of the younger players, while he has a sneaky shot. Gabriel Landeskog was taking part in his first training camp since the Stanley Cup season. He was back in his true form, hopping over goaltender Trent Miner during a drill.He was back in his true form, hopping over goaltender Trent Miner during a drill. The captain was using his edges without a care in the world. There was no fear of injury or hesitation at all.

There will be a lot to watch at this training camp. The line formations, the injuries and who is fighting the hardest. Fans could find out who wants the one or two spots left on the roster by the end of the day on Saturday. The Avalanche will be back at it on Friday morning at 9 a.m. at Family Sports Center in Centennial.