Training camp and the preseason is a time to make an impression. For rookie Mikko Rantanen and veteran Jack Skille, they did that and then some to make the Colorado Avalanche's opening-night roster.
The two right wings survived the Avs' final cuts on Tuesday morning and will be on the club's 23-man lineup when the team opens the 2015-16 season on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild.
Rantanen and Skille's hard work on and off the ice was noticeable after three weeks of practice drills, scrimmages and six preseason games, and it gave Avalanche coaches and management confidence that both players will have a positive impact on the team this year.