The Great Northwestern Preview - Colorado Avalanche

With the hockey season on its way, we at PKLC have decided to do previews from as many teams as we can (if we still care about it after 14 days) so we start with the team I know best. The Colorado Avalanche

 

 

 

 

 

 

(zimbio.com)

What Happened Last Year

2009-10 Record: 43-30-9 - 95 pts

2nd in Northwest

8th in Western Conference

In one word, Surprise. After finishing dead last in the conference and third worst in the league, it seemed dark times were ahead for the boys in burgundy. With a crop of rookies including 3rd overall pick Matt Duchene, surprising 33rd overall pick Ryan O'Reilly and and unproven but skilled goalie in Craig Anderson, no one knew what to expect. They came out of the gate hot posting a 10-2 start in October, a franchise best. The Avs rolled from there, with rookie coach Joe Sacco riding the hot hand of Anderson for the majority of the season. As the olympics drew closer, so did the rest of the West and the Avs dropped further down the elite eight slide, going from contending for a division title to clinging to the eight spot. (Thanks Calgary)

As seems to be the case with every Avalanche season, the team again fought the injury bug. The biggest being David Jones who, in a freak run in against Minnesota, tore his ACL and was out for the season. (cue upstart Brandon Yip) Milan Hejduk also missed some time with a bad back, which stalled line mate Matt Duchene's point total. Trade winds also blew last season, with GM Greg Sherman shipping out often under-performer Woltek Wolski to Phoenix for their underachiever Peter Mueller and prospect Kevin Porter. Most fans scratched their heads at this one, feeling trading one disappointment for another wasn't the way to break into the playoffs. Boy were they wrong. Mueller was out to prove that he can still burn it up, potting 9 goals in 15 games with line mates Duchene and Hejduk before a 'gentlemanly' hit from the Sharks' Rob Blake concussed Mueller and left him out of the playoffs.

Yes, they also made the playoffs. As the 8th seed mind you, but that was 6 spots higher than anyone (including me) thought they would end up. They gave the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks a bit of a scare, winning game one and taking three out of the six games to OT. They held the top line, with the likes of Thorton and Heatlely, pointless. Game 3 was the most memorable, with Anderson making 51 saves as a Dan Boyle 'own goal' sealed the deal for the Avs. It would be the last win in that series, as the Sharks took it in 6. It left the team bitterly disappointed, but hungry for a deeper run next season.

 

Man, The Air Really IS Thinner Up Here (key offseason acquisitions)

Daniel Winnik

John Grahame (mostly for depth down on the farm)

 

yah..that was it

Coming Down The Mountain (see yah later guys)

Darcy Tucker

Ruslan Salei

Marek Svatos

Brett Clark

Stephane Yelle

Matt Hendricks

Tom Preissing

The Season Ahead

With the dead weight of last season gone, the forward group is where the team will remain mostly the same. (here's hoping for news of a Mueller signing within the next couple of days) The defence is where most fans' eyes will be. The vets are aging, with Scott Hannan and Captain Adam Foote pushing 31 and 38 respectively and the rest of the D isn't getting any younger. (save for Ryan WIlson and Kyle Quincey)  There is help on the way, with top defensive prospects Kevin Shattenkirk and Jonas Holos looking to make the jump into the big league. There is really no reason to expect anything less than a second consecutive playoff birth for the young club.

Looking to Lead

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The AP)

 

Matt Duchene - He's got the full package. Deadly wrister, smooth hands, fast skater. Number One centre this year? Look for him improve on his rookie numbers that gave him a Calder nod, where he notched 24 goals and 55 points. He's got the skill to be top 20 in the league in points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Zimbio.com)

Chris Stewart - After a slow start and an exile to the AHL, Stewart came out guns a blazin' and is looking to build on his outstanding sophomore season. He has a new two year deal in his back pocket (a hell of a raise - 850k to 2 mil) and fans are looking for a repeat of last season where he lead the team in goals (28) and was second in points (64)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(the WHL Official Website)

 

T.J Galiardi -  Once again bringing respect back to the Number 39. (It took us most of October to remember Arnason wasn't on the team anymore) Avs fans will remember Gally for two things. One, the number of visiting broadcast teams to mis-pronounce his name. The second, and most important reason, he was the thorn in the side of San Jose during the playoffs, causing fits for Joe Thorton and Co. While he'll unlikely see first line minutes again, (baring injury) he'll be a great addition to the third like with Ryan 'Radar' O'Reilly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The Denver Post)

 

Craig Anderson If it weren't for Anderson's play last season, there would have been no playoffs. Simple as that. While they shouldn't have to rely on him as much to bail them out of games, expect Anderson to be busy once again this year.

The PKLC Prediction

I don't see another division champs banner hanging from the Pepsi Centre rafters this year but...

Division Rank - 2nd 100 pts

Conference Rank - 4th

Playoffs - 2nd round exit

Feel free to comment below, or drop me a like through twitter (@horbayj) or the site email (patkanesloosechange@hotmail.com)

- Jaye