Category Archives: Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have a lethal top line — now it’s time to address the lack of depth
With an assist on Matt Calvert’s first-period goal on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, Nathan MacKinnon hit the 60-point plateau. It was a special accomplishment, too, as it made MacKinnon and linemate Mikko Rantanen, who compose two-thirds of the most lethal line in hockey alongside Gabriel Landeskog, the first set of teammates to register 60 points through 41 games since some guys named Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux managed the feat back during the 1996-97 season.
That MacKinnon and Rantanen have been so prolific this season is astounding, and the dynamic duo — or top-scoring trio, depending on how you want to label the line — is worthy of every bit of praise that has been heaped upon them. Rantanen has established himself as a true top talent in the league, a precision passer and dangerous set-up man who was tied for the top assist total throughout the past calendar year.
https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/the-avalanche-have-a-lethal-top-line-now-its-time-to-address-the-lack-of-depth
Colorado ready to sell, sell, sell
It still might come down to which young defenseman — or defensemen — the Carolina Hurricanes ultimately are willing to include in a package for Duchene. Go too far down the Hurricanes’ organizational list, and it’s a setup for failure. It’s remains doubtful the ‘Canes will agree to part with Erie High grad Jaccob Slavin, but that still should be the goal … as a start.
Beyond that, the Avalanche will continue its attempt to unload — or, to put it more nicely, find an immediate new home for — its pending veteran unrestricted free agents. From the current roster, that list starts with, most notably, Jarome Iginla, but also includes Fedor Tyutin, John Mitchell, Rene Bourque, Cody Goloubef and Jeremy Smith.
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/25/avalanche-journal-colorado-home-game/
Talks between Boston and Colorado stalled.
Hearing that talks between Bruins and Avs have essentially stopped. Bruins won't meet Avs' asking prices
— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 20, 2017
Jarome Iginla is eyeing a trade to a contender
Could a reunion with his former Calgary Flames coach/GM Darryl Sutter be a possibility? A source told ESPN.com that the Los Angeles Kings have kicked around the merits of that idea, given that history between their coach and Iginla. Whether the Kings act on it and call Colorado about it remains to be seen.
The Kings have struggled offensively, so the question is whether Sutter feels he can get some juice out of Iginla at this point of his remarkable career.
If Kings GM Dean Lombardi does decide to proceed on the Iginla front — and again, let me stress he might not — that $5.33 million cap hit will be an issue.
Brandon Carlo would have to be part of an Avs/Bruins trade for Gabriel Landeskog
There’s no question if the Colorado Avalanche are going to trade Gabriel Landeskog, for example, to the Boston Bruins, there’s no question that they’re going to absolutely insist on Brandon Carlo being part of the deal. Quite aside from the fact that he’s from Colorado Springs, but he’s what – a 20-year-old, going on 21-year-old, defenseman who’s proven that he’s an NHL defenseman right now.
“And the Avalanche don’t want to load up on a whole bunch of guys that have just been drafted at 18, although a guy like Sergachev may yet have appeal as part of a package. But what they’re really looking for is somebody who’s 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 that they can insert immediately into the lineup, along with a first-round pick and a couple of really good prospects.
http://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/mckenzie-explores-bergevins-potential-mindset-canadiens/
Matt Duchene-to-Nashville or Chicago rumors are unfounded
I'm told that any Matt Duchene-to-Nashville or Chicago rumors are unfounded
— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 1, 2017
Iginla wants to be traded
“I would like to, at the deadline, go somewhere,” Iginla said in an interview with Puck Daddy before the Avalanche played the Kings. “I would like to be in the playoffs. I would hope that there is some opportunity to go and play in the playoffs. Those are the best games, the most fun for sure, and you have a chance to win. So no, I haven’t given up on that chance to win.”
Iginla said he hasn’t “really talked” to Avalanche management about this “but I imagine that’s all part of it.”
With Matt Duchene and Gabe Landeskog, it must be a great deal … or no deal
Here’s what I think is going to happen: As the March 1 trading deadline approaches, whether that means in the final weeks or the final minutes, the Avalanche will have decent — not great — offers on the table for Duchene and Landeskog.
By “not great,” I mean a package that doesn’t qualify as a mouth-dropping difference maker. A great “offer” is: Did they really offer that? To qualify as great, it would have include an eventual long-term, standout defenseman for the franchise. And more.
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/21/frei-matt-duchene-and-gabe-landeskog-great-deal-or-no-deal/
All eyes are on Joe Sakic
All eyes are on Joe Sakic, with his Colorado Avalanche on track to barely crack 50 points and trending toward the worst season in franchise history.
For that, forwards
and both land in the top five of TSN’s first Trade Bait list of the 2016-17 season. Sakic’s price for both players remains high. It may be more prudent for Colorado to wait until the off-season to reshape the franchise, when more teams will be willing to part with prized pieces, but the clock is ticking.
http://www.tsn.ca/all-eyes-on-the-avs-as-trade-deadline-approaches-1.652111
What could an Avalanche/LA trade look like?
Muzzin Kempe and 1st. Seller's market. I would counter with Martinez Kempe and 2nd. I don't think Duchene lands in LA. We'll see. https://t.co/VaynaDmXTA
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) January 8, 2017
Avs and Bruins talking blockbuster trade?
Hearing Boston has had talks with Avs over Landeskog. Sakic wanted Carlo, and B’s said no
— Adrian Dater (@adater) January 5, 2017
Go Iginla go to the Oilers?
And if Iginla does move, would the logical destination be Edmonton, his hometown, to play for an improving young team that could use his leadership skills and, by the way, is currently run by a general manager, Peter Chiarelli, who also brought Iginla to Boston in the fall of 2013?
It would appear to be a good match, with Iginla offering the sort of veteran gravitas that a talented but inexperienced team could use. Milan Lucic, his linemate for that year in Boston, is there, patrolling the wing with Connor McDavid.
Blackhawks and Avalanche news
The Blackhawks have an itchy trigger finger. They are looking for someone to play with Jonathan Toews, especially as Marian Hossa battles injury.
Colorado has told teams not to bother asking about Nathan MacKinnon or 2015 first-rounder Mikko Rantanen. After that, it sounds like the organization is determined not to make a panic move just to mollify everyone. The Avalanche know $17 million comes off the books after the season and they will have flexibility. Right now, cap room is as valuable as diamond ore. The price on Matt Duchene in particular would be pretty high.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-manage-bad-luck/
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