2009-10 NHL Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche
by James Mirtle on Sep 18, 2009 5:30 PM CDT
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Who's in: Craig Anderson, David Koci, Tom Preissing, Kyle Quincey
Who's out: Tyler Arnason, Ben Guite, Ian Laperriere, Cody McCormick, Andrew Raycroft, Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, Daniel Tjarnqvist
Outlook: The fallout from Colorado's worst season since the move to Denver came swiftly, as amid rumours Patrick Roy had been offered the coach and GM duties, the Avs brass instead went with a pair of unknowns in Joe Sacco and Greg Sherman and fired GM Francois Giguere and coach Tony Granato.
The low profile front office should mirror the team on the ice, as this will be one ugly period of rebuilding for a franchise not exactly accustomed to it.
On the way out are Joe Sakic — who retired rather than returning to shepherd third-overall draft pick Matt Duchene through what should be a tough rookie season should he make the team — Ryan Smyth, Andrew Raycroft, Ian Laperriere and Tyler Arnason, an exodus that leaves Paul Stastny, Milan Hejduk, Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos as the only proven offensive players on the roster. As a result, the Avs will easily be one of the lowest scoring teams in the league.
On a positive note, however, Colorado's begun the rebuild the right way in goal and on defence, signing Panthers backup Craig Anderson to a bargain contract in free agency, and then dealing Ryan Smyth to the Kings for useful defender Kyle Quincey and spare part Tom Preissing.
Amid rumours Hejduk and a few of the veteran defenders could also be on the way out, it's difficult to forecast much more than a last-place finish in the Western Conference again this season. And that might not be such a bad thing given how far they've got to go.
X-factor: Craig Anderson
For a more in-depth Avs preview, visit Mile High Hockey
For more NHL analysis, check out the McKeen's Hockey Yearbook
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Should I be impressed with the one Avalanche fan’s optimism, or sad that life is going to hammer the shit out of his hopes?
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Sep 18, 2009 7:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he or she is hoping for that draft pick. That would help Colorado rebuild more quickly.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
by Baroque on Sep 18, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rudy means the people voting that the Avs will finish first.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Sep 18, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I know – maybe they just misunderstood the poll. “Woo-hoo, of course we want the number one pick! What are all these other people thinking?” :)
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill
by Baroque on Sep 19, 2009 5:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, many had the Kings last in the west at the beginning of last year…
The 2009-10 Colorado Avalanche: Aiming for the Charity Point
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Sep 19, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trading Smith
From what I saw in training camp, Kyle Quincey might be little more than a spare part as well.
It’s gonna be a tough season, no doubt!
by From the Point on Sep 18, 2009 11:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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