After three preseason games, the Colorado Avalanche have made three rounds of cuts. The latest came during practice on Friday morning after Thursday’s loss to the Minnesota Wild. The latest round of cuts would bring the total number of players up to 14, either reassigned or sent back to their junior clubs.
Henry Bowlby
The Colorado Eagles signed Henry Bowlby this offseason to add depth to the team’s middle to bottom six. He spent the last two seasons with the Charlotte Checkers, topping at 28 points two years ago. He played in two of the three preseason games before the team let him go, gaining a goal.
Tanner Kero
After signing a one-year AHL contract with the Eagles, Tanner Kero showed he could be a great face-off man. In the two games that he played, he was 66.7 and 58.3% from the dot. Kero’s quick shot and net-crashing ability will be a valuable addition to the Eagles’ depth.
Matthew Stienburg
The Avalanche signed Matthew Stienburg for a two-year, two-way extension after a close call this summer. Stienburg joined the Eagles last season straight out of Cornell University for an amature tryout agreement. He would impress the Avalanche brass with his two assists in eight games. He will bring a gritty style of play to the Eagles, threatening anyone who gets too close to the boards.
Keaton Middleton
The Avalanche have placed Keaton Middleton on waivers with the purpose of reassignment. The 6-foot-7 defenseman brings a heavy game to the rink every night. He led the Eagles in penalty minutes with 125 in 72 games last season. He can also show a little bit of an offensive streak. At one point last season, he led the Eagles in power play points. He will likely be part of the top defensive pair in Loveland this season.
Spencer Smallman
The former Chicago Wolves forward and Calder Cup champion Spencer Smallman came to Colorado on a two-year, two-way contact last year. He unfortunately saw no time with the Avalanche, but is a hard-working winger who loves to charge the net. In 61 games last season, he could only scrape together 26 points. The team placed him on waivers to send him back to the Eagles.