Nikita Zadorov not starting training camp with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are without a key piece of the roster as training camp opens Thursday.

Restricted free agent Nikita Zadorov is not in attendance as the defenseman remains without a new contract.

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Acquired from Buffalo as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade, the 16th pick from the 2013 NHL Draft is seen as a big building block for last season's last-place team.

The 22-year-old appeared in 56 games for the Avalanche in 2016-17, recording 10 assists.