On the ice and in the classroom, Vladislav Kamenev has a new beginning with the Avalanche.
The young Russian forward played just 20 games last season, including his debut with Colorado on Nov. 18 when he declined morning-skate interviews because of his inability to speak and English before breaking his forearm against the Washington Capitals. Kamenev, who was acquired from Nashville in the Nov. 5 three-team trade that sent Matt Duchene from Colorado to Ottawa, returned late in the season and played two more games for the Avs.
But he was a healthy scratch in the first-round playoff series loss against Nashville — having not played enough games to get comfortable.