Thursday, July 28, 2011

2011-2012 Insight Part 2 - Defence

The Avalanche season ended last year with lots of the blame at the goalie position, but the defence were equally as bad. Besides a stellar start from JM Liles and a great rookie season (before being traded) from Kevin Shattenkirk, the Avs D was pretty much non-existent all season. The Avs found themselves being destroyed on the boards/cycle game, but mainly in the size department is where the Avs lacked the most. Before trades last season the Avs d looked as follows:
JM Liles, Kyle Quincey, Adam Foote, Scott Hannan, Kyle Cumiskey, Kevin Shattenkirk, reserves: Matt Hunwick, Ryan Wilson
The changes from the original group were as follows: JM Liles dealt to Toronto (end of season), Adam Foote retired (end of season), Scott Hannan was traded to Washington mid-season and Kevin Shattenkirk was dealt to St. Louis. To continue, both Quincey and Cumiskey had season-ending injuries early on the the season leaving a very young, depleted D core in Denver. While the goalie issues were clearly goal #1 for Greg Sherman and his staff, sizing up on D was extremely important. The 2011-2012 Defence are as follows:
Erik Johnson, Kyle Quincey, Jan Hejda, Shane O'Brien, Ryan O'Byrne, Ryan Wilson. reserves: Matt Hunwick, Tyson Barrie, Stefan Elliot.
With all the vacant spots from parted defenceman, the Avs went out and went after the tough defence available. Prior to the offseason, the Avs acquired former #1 pick Erik Johnson from St. Louis. Johnson will be relied heavily on by the Avs to be the true #1 D that they have lacked since Rob Blake departed. They also acquired Ryan O'Byrne midseason from Montreal, and he will continue to help the D core. In the free agent market, the Avs wasted no time and singed bruising defenceman Jan Hejda to a 4 year deal. While Hejda isn't the most skilled player around, he adds size at 6"4 237 lbs and certainly will help fix the size issue from last season. Following that, they signed another bruising defenceman Shane O'Brien to a 1 year deal. This signing was huge for the Avs, as O'Brien brings true grit and power to a defence core that really had no one alike. O'Brien will hit you, trash talk you and much more as he is known as one of the best agitators in the game. With the signings on d, as well as the future development of D prospects Tyson Barrie, Stefan Elliot and Duncan Siemens, the Avs D core looks bright for the future ahead. In conclusion, the "new" d core may not be the most skilled in the league, but they certainly are bigger from last season. The Avs d will not be pushed around as much, so look for a tougher Avs team.
In other news, the Avs announced today the signings of their top 2 picks in the 2011 draft (Landeskog and Siemens). Look for Landeskog to suit up immediately for the Avs, but Siemens might benefit from another year in junior. Last up in this report: Forwards (pt.3)
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2011-2012 Insight Part 1 - Goalies

Hello all! this is part 1 of my Avalanche 2011-2012 season thoughts and predictions where I break down the Avs roster by position. My first roster position is often the most pivotal for a hockey team to be successful (i.e. Tim Thomas for Boston) and that is the goaltending. The Avalanche went into this past season with huge confidence after making the playoffs 2 years ago led by newly acquired goaltender Craig Anderson. Anderson was expected to lead the charge again, but had trouble this season finding his place in the crease. Anderson got so bad that Peter Budaj started taking some of his starts, and the Avs season went down from the Allstar Break on because of poor goaltending. Come trade deadline time, the Avs far out of a playoff spot, decide to trade Anderson for perennial backup Brian Elliot. Now a lot of people (including myself) were shaking their heads at this trade, I for one thought Anderson could be a franchise goalie in Colorado but now will be successful in Ottawa. The year ended and the tandem of Elliot/Budaj was just horrid, so the Avs had priority #1 for the offseason: find new goalies. Budaj and Elliot were released, and the Avs were on the prowl for a goalie, many thought they would sign Tomas Vokoun. However, Greg Sherman shocked the hockey world again acquiring highly touted by injury-prone Russian goaltender Semyon Varlamov from the Capitals for a 1st and 2nd pick. The 23 year-old goalie was a first round pick in 2006, and many feel that the Avs gave up too much to get him. However, Varlamov is extremely young and has the potential to carry the load for the Avs for many years. Via NHL.com:

“In Semyon Varlamov we are acquiring a highly touted NHL goaltender,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.  “At 23 years old, he is regarded as a solid and talented netminder by our staff.  We definitely feel we have addressed our top priority this offseason and for many years to come.”

“Semyon is an elite goaltender who is a key part of our future success,” said Avalanche Executive Advisor/Alternate Governor Joe Sakic.  “Avalanche fans should be very excited with this acquisition, as we all are.”

I am very excited to see Semyon dress for the Avs, and I think (injuries aside) he could have a very bright future in Colorado. Varlamov was immediately signed to a 3-year $8.5 million contract and expected to be the starter next season. To mentor Varlamov and help share the load, the Avs also went out and signed former Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Winner J.S. Giguere to a 2-year $2.5 million contract. Giguere will provide a veteran stability to the Avs goaltending, one that they have lacked since Patrick Roy left. While Giguere is happy in his job behind Varlamov, he will certainly play his fair share of games and should Varlamov struggle or get hurt, Giguere will be ready to step in. In conclusion, the first step towards fixing last season's disaster was goaltending; the Avs cleaned house on goalies and signed 2 proven netminders. I think that both these players have a very bright future ahead in Colorado. Next up: Defence

J.S. Giguere: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1514 
Semyon Varlamov: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4003

-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

The debate of the C

So many sports bloggers struggle over this discussion, it happens every year after the season where grizzled vets called it quits and Captaincy becomes vacant for the following year. Last year we saw young stars such as Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal and Shea Weber all receive the C for their respective teams, and like last summer the positions are open. Teams such as the Avs, Islanders, Blues, Sabres, Panthers, Devils, Rangers and Flyers all have no current captain, so it might be the time for youth at captain like we have seen in the past. While I could make my case for Tavares in NY or Myers in Buffalo, I will focus on the Avs and the 4-man race that I have narrowed it down to. In order from my most likely candidate,

1. Matt Duchene - A bold statement, but I believe the young Duchene is ready to take on the responsibilities of Captain of this team. While he certainly takes care of the goal scoring, Duchene took much bigger strides in his sophomore season, and I believe that his game only gets better as the years progress. Duchene is certainly ready to be the top centre, and with the addition of Gabriel Landeskog he might have a proven winger (along with Hejduk) to showcase his complete skills. I think that age plays a huge factor in the final decision, but the 20 year old is a future captain of this team and next season might be the start.

2. Paul Stastny - Prior to Duchene entering the NHL, Stastny was the franchise center and top forward. He certainly possesses the two-way skills to be a Captain, and leads with his play on the ice. I think that Stastny is the most logical choice to be the captain, regardless of all the recent trade talk he is staying with the team. Stastny had a rough year this past season, and often took harsh criticism about not living up to his huge contract. He is due for a rebound season, and having the C on his sweater would give him complete confidence.

3. Milan Hejduk - Longest serving Av is the veteran choice for the Captain. He has been with the team through good and bad, winning the cup in 2001 but also taking part in recent struggles. The veteran sniper certainly might get asked to wear the C, but he isn't the typical "expressive" leader that coaches look for in a captain. Hejduk leads with his play on the ice, and that might get him the captain but not my first guess.

4. Erik Johnson - Darkhorse pick, cornerstone defence for the Avs could thrive as the top defender and certainly possesses the skills of a leader. Would make a great captain just hasn't been with the team enough.

To conclude, the captain is an extremely important position in hockey and ultimately Head Coach Joe Sacco will have a lot to figure out before naming the C. I wouldn't be surprised with any of these 4 suitable candidates, but I hope for Duchene to wear the C
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Free Agency - Goalies

It's been a wild and crazy first week of free agency, with many teams addressing their needs via signings and millions of dollars being spent. The Avs (so far - assuming they aren't done) have added 4 players, 2 being goalies (their biggest need). While the addition of Jan Hejda to the Avs d core brings size, and Chuck Kobasew brings grit and hustle to the Avs checking line/penalty kill, the addition of Semyon Varlamov and J.S Giguere were pivotal for this franchise's forward progress. The Avs got torched last season with mediocre play from Anderson, Budaj and Elliot so they cleaned house and traded for a young (future) goalie in Varlamov and signed a proven winner (and stanley cup mvp) Giguere. While the price to pay was alot for the Avs, Varlamov may be exactly what they are looking for in a long-term goalie. Overall, Varlamov/Giguere is a significant improvement from last year. I believe that they aren't done signing/trading people just set, and we may see some new Avs players in the near future.
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News