With the Colorado Avalanche, the main stars of the show are Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. However, a new young star has made his presence known and he is making big plays. Forward Gavin Brindley is in his first year with the Colorado Avalanche but he is already fitting in nicely. A player with relentless energy, he is showing that he can be a reliable bottom-six player who shows up in big games. While he is still young, he is proving he belongs in Colorado.
But Miller, as always, was more dialed into the game. Honestly, no, Miller said after the game when asked if he was able to soak in the moment. We had a power play, we were worried about having a good rep. Miller had lots of time to reflect. Vancouver will always be a special place for him and his family.
Peeke was taken in the second round (34th overall) in 2016 by the Blue Jackets. After a three-year collegiate career at Notre Dame and some time in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters, Peeke became a regular in the Jackets' lineup, playing 82 and 80 games in 2021-22 and 2022-23. But after falling out of favor in Columbus, he was traded to the B's for Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick at the 2024 trade deadline.
According to eliteprospects.com, Laroque hadn't played a single game last season. The last time he featured in a professional hockey game was in the 2023-24 season, when he played nine games for the San Jose Barracuda and another nine with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder. It's unclear what specifically kept him out of last year's campaign, but there is an understanding that Laroque has gone through some major injuries and surgeries in his young career.