Avs are more than MacKinnon

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This article was published 04/02/2018 (2778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Colorado Avalanche have gone from the NHL’s worst team to a playoff-calibre club in less than a year.

But how good can they be without their offensive catalyst, No. 1 centre Nathan MacKinnon, who went down with an apparent shoulder injury early in Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Vancouver?

The Avs are aiming to show the hockey world they are a deep and talented team, even without their star, who could be sidelined for up to four weeks.

“You can’t replace a guy like that,” defenceman Tyson Barrie said prior to the Avs game in Winnipeg Saturday night.

“He’s a world-class player and he’d put himself in the Hart (Trophy) conversation. We’re going to miss him a ton, but it’s a chance to show we’re not just one player, and a deep team.

“Obviously, we’d like to get him back as soon as we can, but we’ve just got to stick around, try and win some games and stay in (the playoff hunt).”

Into the breach stepped rookie centre Alexander Kerfoot, a Harvard-educated Vancouverite who was subbed for MacKinnon on Colorado’s top line with wingers Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen and the unit scarcely skipped a beat.

“I don’t know if it was because it was his hometown, but I thought he was the best player on the ice (Tuesday),” Barrie said.

“Every time he touched the puck, he was moving his feet and making plays. He’s been great all year for us. For him to get this opportunity, I think he’ll make the most of it.”

Kerfoot insists he hasn’t had to alter his game to smooth his transition to the top line.

“They’re two elite players and I just want to try and complement them as much as I can, because if you’re out there with those guys, you’re going to be playing against top lines, so you can’t turn the puck over in the neutral zone,” Kerfoot said.

The 23-year-old Kerfoot has been a revelation for the Avs, who finished last overall in 2016-17 and underwent a massive restructuring in the off-season.

Although he was chosen by New Jersey in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, he never signed with the Devils. The Avs inked the 5-10, 175-pound college free agent to a two-year deal following Harvard’s Frozen Four appearance and he’s piled up 32 points, including 12 goals, in 47 games thus far.

“Just from his body of work this year, he’s been a guy that has provided us with some offence,” head coach Jared Bednar said when asked to explain his choice of Kerfoot as MacKinnon’s replacement.

“He’s a gifted passer, playmaker. He sees the ice real well and he’s able to play with skilled players.”

Colorado beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime Thursday night and Kerfoot, Landeskog and Rantanen had combined for two goals and seven points in the two games heading into Saturday’s showdown with the Jets.

“Three out of four points without (MacKinnon), I think we’ll take that,” Bednar said.

“We’ve seen some good things. Kerfoot has stepped in on that top line and done a nice job. Our second line with (Tyson) Jost, (J.T.) Compher and (Colin) Wilson has done a good job and the Soderberg line keeps clicking along. So, we’re still getting those contributions without him.”

Kerfoot welcomes the added responsibility.

“We don’t want Mac out too long — he’s one of the best players in the league and a huge part of our team,” Kerfoot said. “We also want to win games in the meantime. I just want to do a good job.”

Jets head coach Paul Maurice believes MacKinnon’s absence can be overcome.

“It changes them the way (losing Mark Scheifele) changes us,” Maurice said.

“That’s another real strong offensive weapon. So, their game hasn’t changed, their game in Edmonton was powerful, they scored goals, they dominated at times in that game. It’s just one less finisher, one less play-creator, but a good player goes in. It’s a big hole to fill. It can be done.

“You look at any of the teams that have lost a (No. 1) centreman — L.A., Anaheim — there’s a cost to it, for sure. More, I think, over time. Not necessarily in one game. The players they put in and get more ice time are good players.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14