After several weeks of speculation and guessing from the media and fans alike, the final 23-man roster for the Colorado Avalanche is out. Head coach Patrick Roy can now focus on managing the team he has in place.
Every player on the active roster is important to the success of a team, but there will be an especially close eye on the guys who made it that were declared bubble players to start training camp.
What follows is a mini scouting report on three guys that were not exactly a sure thing, but have earned a spot on the Colorado Avalanche opening day roster.
Jack Skille
Entering his ninth season in the NHL, Jack Skille earned his spot on the team the hard way. The Avalanche signed the 28-year old to a one-year contract after he impressed anyone that saw him during his professional tryout this training camp. The Wisconsin born winger will hope to bring some scoring to the bottom two lines and should bring a physical element to the game that the Avalanche have lacked in years past. He also brings a strong presence in front of the net, something coach Roy has placed a lot of emphasis on going in to the year. Skille will begin the season skating on the fourth line with Cody McCleod and John Mitchell.
Borna Rendulic
We remember Borna Rendulic from last season for becoming the first Croatian born player to play in the NHL. Well, it is safe to say he has improved his game enough to impress coach Roy and the powers that be in the Avalanche head office. Rendulic plays the wing and has the skill that fits in with the rest of the team and the size that fits in with the direction the team wants to go in. His speed and accurate hard shot helped Rendulic make this year’s Avs and will start off on the third line. His tenacity can use some work, leaving him to be one of the bigger question marks on the roster.
Mikko Rantanen
Not as much of a surprise as the other two, Mikko Rantanen still had to make an impression and earn a spot on the team. Now entering his rookie season, Rantanen proved that he is more developed and ready for the NHL than some thought. He is known for being able to produce on the offensive side of the ice due to his great mixture of both size and skill, and has a strong forecheck. It seems as though he will begin the year as the third line right winger. With great hands, and a strong body that is difficult to move, look for Rantanen to contribute points close to the net in scrappy situations. Rantanen will begin the year playing on the left side of the third line with Carl Soderberg at center and Borna Rendulic on the other side.