SCHOOL OR GO PRO?
2 prospects choose differently
Likeminded Avalanche prospects Cale Makar and Conor Timmins were the second and ninth defensemen selected in the 2017 NHL draft, with Makar going No. 4 overall and Timmins as the first pick of the second round. At the time, it was assumed Makar would sign his NHL entrylevel contract and join the Avs before Timmins.
Much has changed. Timmins, 19, signed with Colorado in March and is expected to compete for an openingnight roster spot in October, while the unsigned Makar, also 19, will begin his sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts.
Makar isn’t bothered by the situation — which partly unfolded because of his desire to stay in school.
“I think if it did bother me I’d be in a pretty bad spot,” Makar said during the Avalanche’s recent development camp. “I’m not a selfish guy. I’m not just worried about myself, but at the end of day I have faith in myself that when I’m ready to make the jump I will push for a spot on this roster.”
The Avs don’t want Makar and Timmins coming in at the same time, director of amateur scouting Alan Hepple has said, so staggering their NHL debuts works out for everyone.
“Hopefully, we’re both going to be here some day and the team will have two good guys on the back end,” Makar said.
Makar (5foot11 and 187 pounds) and Timmins (62, 184) were teammates for Canada at the World Junior Championship last winter. Makar declined an opportunity to represent his country at the ensuing Winter Olympics while Timmins rejoined his majorteam team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
Timmins sustained a concussion while playing for the Greyhounds and the Avalanche didn’t allow him to skate in the recent development camp. But he was at the camp.
“He’s getting better. He’s getting better every day. He’s started working out,” Avs general manager Joe Sakic said. “We wanted to keep him off the ice just to make sure there wasn’t a setback.”
Sakic’s blue line for next season is set, and it’s deep. The only question mark is if Timmins earns a roster spot. He is eligible to return to his junior team and also to play in the American Hockey League.
After Patrik Nemeth signs as a restricted free agent, the Avs will have 10 trusted defensemen — plus Timmins — under contract. The top six figure to be Erik Johnson, Nikita Zadorov, Tyson Barrie, newly acquired Ian Cole, Sam Girard and Nemeth. Mark Barberio and Timmins will also be in the mix. Mark Alt, Anton Lindholm and David Warsofsky figure to begin the season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avs’ new AHL affiliate in Loveland.
However, Sakic said Zadorov and Nemeth had offseason shoulder surgeries and might not be cleared for training camp.