The Avalanche’s top forwards will play in the first preseason game of 2024-25

Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar will make their preseason debuts in Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Avalanche’s elite players are excited to play with the young players vying for a spot on the roster.

“I enjoy it. I enjoy playing with new guys. It’s fun. Even this morning, on the power play with Inny (Jere Innala) and Kovy (Nikolai Kovalenko), they’re just different, different guys,” MacKinnon said. “Obviously they’re probably really excited about the first session tonight and watching the whole thing and it’s obviously a lot of fun.”

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Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed Kovalenko will play with MacKinnon, but doesn’t expect the young Russian to change his game because of his linemates.

“The best thing you can do is just keep doing what you’ve been doing and play to your strengths,” Bednar said. “The Dallas game – he was a hard-working, no-nonsense player. He made some great plays. He protected the puck very well, and then he gave it to some other players in the goal areas. And if he can do that tonight,” he’ll probably be rewarded for that work. I don’t want him to change his game and turn into something he’s not and become too cute because it probably won’t turn out the way he wants.

Kovalenko recorded two assists during the 14:22 he was on the ice in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. He had two shots on goal and played on the power play unit. Although he will not replace Jonathan Drouin, coaches and staff are considering whether and where he could join the team lineup.

It will be a good experience for the 24-year-old striker to play with MacKinnon and Rantanen up front. The team leaders support the young player with their knowledge of the structure and the systems used.

“I think it’s good. Me, Nate and Drouin, we were together the whole camp. Now we see a different man on the left wing and there are some different line combinations, which is good,” Rantanen said. “I think it’s good for the coaches to see that because there are situations in the season where someone gets injured or something happens in the game, you have to switch lines and then you kind of know who could have success. “

The 28-year-old Finn said he was ready to switch to game mode after a long training camp and training period.

“Practice is always fun, but I think games are more fun, so I’m looking forward to playing a game instead of practicing,” he said.

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