Limiting shots against and improving offensive possession usually begins with an effective break out of the defensive zone.
The Avalanche was poor in breaking the puck out under coach Patrick Roy. But his successor, Jared Bednar, is confident his systems will work.
Bednar, who was a journeyman minor-league defenseman as a player, said he and former Avalanche defenseman Nolan Pratt will introduce ways to lower shots against — which typically increases offensive possession. Pratt was hired in July, before Roy’s surprise resignation, from Bednar’s staff with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Bednar and Pratt worked together the last four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliate.
“Nolan and I see the game on the defensive side of things, with the way we coach. We’ve been together for a long time and we see it the same way,” Bednar said Wednesday at his introductory news conference. “The plan that we’re going to put in place can help elite defensemen or up-and-comers. … It’s all about support and knowing what you’re trying to do with the puck before you get there under different sets of circumstances.
“That clarity, that detail, I’m hoping we can put in place will help those guys. Breaking out of your zone and exiting with possession — that’s a five-man job, that’s a community job, not one defenseman who’s going back to get the puck under duress. That’s the mentality I have.”
The Avs were 28th in the 30-team NHL last season in shots against per game (32.3). They were 25th in 2014-15 (33.2) and 24th in Roy’s first season of 2013-14 (31.4).
World Cup. Bednar’s preparation for the season will be more difficult without six of his best players — including three centers — who will compete in the World Cup of Hockey, which runs Sept. 17 to Oct. 1 in Toronto. Training camps for the eight WCH teams begin this weekend. Avalanche rookie camp begins Sept. 15, and the veterans report Sept. 22.
“It’s not ideal, but they’re getting a great opportunity to go play meaningful, high-intensity games on a world stage, so that’s a great opportunity for those guys,” Bednar said of forwards Gabe Landeskog (Sweden), Carl Soderberg (Sweden), Matt Duchene (Canada), Nathan MacKinnon (North America, 23-under) and defenseman Erik Johnson (United States) and goalie Semyon Varlamov (Russia). “It also gives opportunity to the rest of the guys, to be put in situations where they’re not normally in and we can look at them in different areas.”
To combat being without centers MacKinnon, Duchene and Soderberg at the start of camp, Bednar said he will probably use Joe Colborne and Mikko Rantanen in the middle instead of the wing.
Footnotes. Avalanche president Josh Kroenke spoke publicly about Roy’s surprise Aug. 11 resignation for the first time Wednesday, but he didn’t say much. “I thank Patrick,” Kroenke said. “In his time as a player and coach here, he’s made a huge impact on this franchise and he’ll always be an Avalanche going forward. So thank you to him.” … Bednar’s wife and 11-year-old daughter are in Charleston, S.C., the full-time family home, and his 16-year-old son is in Cleveland. A plan is in place to move everyone to the Denver area. “Probably try to get him here as soon as possible and my wife and daughter will join us at the end of the semester, Christmas break or somewhere in there,” Bednar said.
