3 Surprising Cuts Avalanche Made In Training Camp

The Colorado Avalanche are coming off a Stanley Cup win and have used some of their picks and prospects to help bolster their team. They have managed to keep a few top prospects around that could have made the team. The roster isn't too deep this season with the departure or a couple of forwards, so it's surprising the Avalanche cut them.. Since they were waiver eligible, it was more surprising they were cut from training camp. Let's take a look at the players.

Shane Bowers

There was definitely an opportunity for Shane Bowers to make the Avalanche out of camp considering Gabriel Landeskog and Darren Helm are both injured to start the season. There is another younger player who is in contention as well, Ben Meyers, who doesn't have to pass through waivers.

Bowers is a former first round pick from the 2017 draft, had a good camp, and is expected to have an impact in the AHL. He should also be one of the first players recalled when there is a need.

Martin Kaut

Martin Kaut was also cut from the team the same day as Bowers but has put up more impressive numbers than Bowers in the AHL since being drafted in 2018.

Kaut has played a combined 20 NHL games over the past three seasons, scoring two goals and three points. He had a strong AHL season in 2021-22, recording 19 goals and 31 points in 46 games. He was a top candidate to finally stick around with the Avalanche considering the injuries and spot available for him right now. If he can continue the strong goal-scoring trend from last season, he won't be in the AHL for much longer.

Mikhail Maltsev

Mikhail Maltsev is a bit more experienced in the NHL than the other two youngsters but has failed to translate his game from the AHL to the NHL when he has gotten an opportunity. He has six goals and nine points in 51 career games, but recorded no points in 18 games with the Avalanche last season.

In the AHL, he is a dominant player that put up 17 goals and 48 points in 56 games. He keeps showing he deserves an opportunity in the NHL and should have at least earned a spot on the fourth line, but maybe he will just continue being one of those very good AHL players who can never make it in the NHL.