When the Colorado Eagles saw their AHL season end, the Avalanche called up 11 players to join their roster. That’s standard operating procedure at this time of the year, as the NHL squad typically wants as many extras as possible, just in case something catastrophic happens.

Not all 11 of those players have found their way into the NHL locker room, though. That honor was only bestowed upon five players. The rest? They’re up in Loveland, keeping themselves ready just in case their services are ever needed.

To my eye, there’s a distinct difference in the group the Avalanche have selected this year to practice (and occasionally play) with the NHL squad. Maybe it’s different this season because they actually have a few guys potentially on the cusp of graduating to the big leagues, but this group feels a lot more…youthful, at least compared to past seasons.