The wait appears to be over, as Nikolai Kovalenko is set to make his debut in North America on Tuesday night. How much longer until we see him in a Colorado Avalanche uniform?
Kovalenko, who has been recovering from the MCL sprain he suffered in his final KHL game, will finally play for the Colorado Eagles after an absence that lasted a little over five weeks. He initially skated with Avalanche assistant coach Toby Peterson while the team was on a road trip, but has since been rehabbing in Loveland.
If Kovalenko makes it out of this game and looks fine, the next question will be whether or not he deserves a look in Colorado’s final regular season game on Thursday against Edmonton. If you ask me, he absolutely should see the ice. Depending on what happens during Winnipeg’s game on Tuesday night, that game on Thursday might mean nothing when it comes to the standings. It would be the perfect opportunity to see what Kovalenko can do at the NHL level.
Jared Bednar has gone on the record multiple times saying he would like to see what Kovalenko can do, whether it be in practice or in games, with the Avalanche. This would be an opportunity to see what he can do.
I’ll be watching tape of the game later tonight and will report back on everything.
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