Game 28 Preview: Avalanche at Lightning

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 6:00 AM MST


Colorado Avalanche	5:30 MT / 7:30 ET / 12:30 GMT	Tampa Bay Lightning
14-8-5	November 30th, 2009	10-6-8
33 pts	St Pete Times Forum	28 pts
4th in West	Tampa, FL	8th in East

The Colorado Avalanche suffered a huge blow on Saturday when they lost David Jones to a torn ACL, but there's no time to dwell on the disappointing turn of events. The Avs begin a key 5-game road trip tonight in Tampa. Colorado slipped out of the top spot in the NW and dropped from 3rd to 4th in the Western Conference standings this week. They need to stop that slide quickly; seven teams are behind the Avs by just 5 points or less and Colorado needs points to stay ahead of them. Obviously, a few of those elusive 60-minute efforts would really come in handy this week...

Although the Avalanche don't face the Lightning all that often, there are a lot of familiar faces on the Lightning. Besides old friend Alex Tanguay, there are 5 other former players who've played for a NW division team: Mathias Ohlund (Vancouver), David Hale (Calgary) and Kurtis Foster, Stephane "That Ass" Veilleux, Todd Fedoruk (Minnesota). The Lightning also have notable players in Steve Stamkos, Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St Louis and some Victor Hedman fellow. Add in Jeff Halpern, who always seems to do well against the Avalanche, and you've got a lot of familiarity for a team

As you can see by the tale of the tape below, the Lightning, like the Avalanche, are relatively unspectacular on paper. Probably the most notable stats for the Lightning would be that they are 27th in the league in penalty killing and 29th in penalties taken. Not a great combination. The 17 penalty minutes per game is a bit misleading, however, as they include a lot of misconducts and coincidental fighting majors (forward Zenon Konopka has 9 majors and 3 misconducts and leads the league with 93 penalty minutes). In actuality, both teams average 4.2 times shorthanded per game.

A depressing stat to help your Monday get off on the correct foot: the Lightning are averaging about 600 more people per game this year in attendance.

Colorado			Tampa Bay
7th	33	Points	19th	28
10th	2.96	GF/G	18th	2.75
21st	2.93	GA/G	15th	2.79
20th	19.4	PP%	16th	20.2
16th	79.6	PK%	27th	76.2
30th	25.9	S/G	26th	27.8
26th	32.7	SA/G	23rd	31.8
29th	46.6	FO%	11th	51.3
12th	13.1	PIM/G	29th	17.0
Stastny	25 pts	Top Scorer	Stamkos	29 pts

Raw Charge

Avalanche vs Lightning coverage

Today in Colorado Avalanche History: 2007. Subbing for an injured Joe Sakic, TJ Hensick makes his NHL debut in San Jose.

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Comments

I will be skipping tonight's game

for I wish not to root against Hedman.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 6:09 AM MST reply actions

thankfully, it’s an east coast game for me. So I can watch the Avs and then switch to is probably going to be a wild Pats game. it would have been a tough decision for me if I had to choose

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 6:47 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah

I admit to choosing MNF over the Avs game tonight. I don’t wanna root against my boy Hedman but I also like to take a game break every now and then. Tantalizing MNF matchups are few and far between, lol.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 6:54 AM MST up reply actions

Football has just become a giant bore for me…I’ll stick with an Avs game I can actually watch live.

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 6:57 AM MST up reply actions

I usually just watch the Pats. I’m really looking forward to this one though, and not just because I desperately need 21 points from Tom Brady to keep me in the playoff picture in FF

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 7:00 AM MST up reply actions

Football has just become a giant bore for me…I’ll stick with an Avs game I can actually watch live.

Me too. for a lot of reasons, I don’t find football anywhere near as exciting as I used to, and I don’t like eating up an entire off-day watching football.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 7:39 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah

Football deffff has its issues. Broncos are my favorite sports team, but hockey is my favorite sport. Denver, man.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 7:41 AM MST up reply actions

Nights like tonight are why God created sports bars.

Rooting for the Avs on one screen. Rooting against the Patriots on the other.
Hopefully the sound will be off for the MNF game because I just can’t stand the knob-slobbering festival that is going to the be praise of Brady and Brees.

If Santa comes down my chimney wearing those Red Wing colors, he's going to wish he didn't exist.

by Dixomatic on Nov 30, 2009 10:57 AM MST up reply actions

I don’t mind watching football, but I’m usually doing something else during the game…reading, doing puzzles, playing computer games, ETC.
But there isn’t enough action to sit there and watch two teams I have little interest in,
Hockey will win any day over football.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 30, 2009 1:23 PM MST up reply actions

i hate football

i dislike the behavior of most of the fans, the grandstanding and egos of most of the players, the time it takes for a game to play out especially because it takes 2 minutes to set up for a 10 second play, the methodical and predictable nature of it, …

ya, you’ll never catch me watching a football game by choice, even the super bowl. it’s funny cuz i used to enjoy it. then i found hockey. ’nuff said.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 1:29 PM MST up reply actions

The grandstanding/attitude of some players/teams is a definite turn off. That kind of thing is why I stopped watching the NBA.
I prefer to watch college football over the NFL, but the whole BCS thing is ruining that. It might not be long before hockey is the only thing I watch….and Track & Field.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 30, 2009 1:35 PM MST up reply actions

I used to like college football, but I can’t watch many games anymore because they are toooooo long. People complain about baseball being a long game, but I wasn’t at one Rockies game this year that ended in 9 innings that was over 3 hours.

College football, with all of the clock stoppages, takes like 4 hours. It’s a serious committment of your day.

"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson

by frightened inmate #2 on Nov 30, 2009 5:17 PM MST up reply actions

I think I read somewhere once that the actual action in an NFL game is only about 8 minutes. Of course, that’s about 7 minutes and 55 seconds more than anything I would call “action” in a baseball game, but still, it isn’t much. For this reason, NFL games are definitely best watched with a DVR. You can skim through an entire game in about 15 minutes and not miss a thing. You can’t do that with a hockey game.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 1:39 PM MST up reply actions

You can when Minnesota or Nashville plays

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions

Pensblog

A couple years back, Pensblog compared actual playing time of Ben Roethlisburger to Sidney Crosby, and found that Ben R played less than 5 minutes of actual physical playing time.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 1:51 PM MST up reply actions

If you are counting only the time between the ball being hiked and the time the play is whistled dead, that does not surprise me at all.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Aph on Nov 30, 2009 2:41 PM MST up reply actions

what else would “actual playing time” include?

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

Not sure. I am used to having to defend hockey as a sport to some friends who are football fans. I brought this very subject up not three weeks ago, and they had some interesting ideas of “actual playing time”.

I should have known hockey fans would understand what playing time means. Sorry for the lapse in sanity :D

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Aph on Nov 30, 2009 3:55 PM MST up reply actions

lol. no worries. i’m sure you know by now that lapses in sanity are commonplace around these parts.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

Don't judge me!

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Anderson vs Smith the goalie match-up. Which may work to our advantage since Nittymaki has been playing like a man possessed.

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 6:20 AM MST reply actions

You know what

would also work to our advantage? Shooting pucks in the general vicinity of the opposing net and preventing 45+ minutes of possession in our end by the other team.

"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "

by Mike @ MHH on Nov 30, 2009 7:22 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Well now you are just talking crazy talk! Logic…blah!

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 7:38 AM MST up reply actions

POPPYCOCK.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 7:46 AM MST up reply actions

I MEAN BALDERDASH.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 30, 2009 7:47 AM MST up reply actions

Smith is 3-1-1 with a 1.70 GAA vs. Colorado

Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.

by InfamousM on Nov 30, 2009 9:10 AM MST up reply actions

I think everyone puts up those kinds of numbers against us

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 9:29 AM MST up reply actions

Not a certain goalie in Vancouver…heh heh heh

Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.

by InfamousM on Nov 30, 2009 9:40 AM MST up reply actions

Raycroft? Yeah, he just shuts us out completely.

Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.

by Rather Dashing on Nov 30, 2009 9:55 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, this is true…

although, I feel more comfy with Smith in, because those numbers were with Dallas, when they had talent…in the looooooooooong ago.

Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.

by InfamousM on Nov 30, 2009 9:58 AM MST up reply actions

Hoping for a better game

Fed up with losing games where we are 2-0 up. Fed up with lack of effort for 1 or 2 periods. Fed up with not clearing pucks. There are interviews with Sacco and the players saying the same thing: “We need to do better.”

Well, stop talking about it and f’’in do it! I am certainly not a fair-weather fan, but this season is hurting all the more because we have seen what the Avs did in October and something has changed. I blame Mirtle putting the kiss of death on us ;) (just kidding)

It's hard to be a saint in this city

by Nemesis44UK on Nov 30, 2009 7:28 AM MST reply actions

Hell, even the team knows it’s not playing 60 minutes

“We’re doing our best here,” said rookie center Matt Du-chene, who had his fourth goal of the season Saturday. “We’re almost thinking too much, once we’re getting up and having success, thinking of preserving the lead rather than scoring and keep pounding them. Right now, we’re playing a great 40 minutes and then there’s one period where we’re not keeping that intensity level. So that’s frustrating.”

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 7:39 AM MST up reply actions

yeah, I wrote that quote down when I saw it on the air Saturday. figured it would become useful at some point.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 7:54 AM MST up reply actions

Halpern

I mentioned above that he always does well against us. I guess I was right:

Halpern has been more of a defensive center the past two seasons for Tampa, but he has goals in five consecutive games against Colorado dating back to his days playing in Dallas.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 7:34 AM MST reply actions

I don’t know if you guys are thinking what I’m thinking, which is, why does orange soda not taste like oranges? But wait is it called orange soda because of it’s taste or it’s color? Stupid English language.
But right after that thougth I was like, if the avs can hold TB to it’s 2.75 goals for and they can manage their 2.96 goals for, then they will walk away from this games winners by .21.

Ryan O'Reilly for the Calder.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on Nov 30, 2009 9:59 AM MST reply actions

…and then the team woke up and realized “Oh shit! There’s a third period!”

Forever grateful that Joe Sakic isn't a douche bag like Brett Favre.

by Rather Dashing on Nov 30, 2009 10:08 AM MST up reply actions

and overtime

and shootouts. Uggg!

Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.

by hockeymom on Nov 30, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions

i have a good feeling about tonight, i like what duchene said in the above post, clearly Sacco has got through to these guys, but let’s see how that translates on to the ice tonight

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 10:43 AM MST up reply actions

hate to break it to you, but duchene (and others) have said that before and it didn’t translate. yet, anyway.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 10:50 AM MST up reply actions

way to burst my morning bubble beachie :P

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 10:53 AM MST up reply actions

i’m a bubble burster, what can i say?

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 11:44 AM MST up reply actions

AD reports Nittymaki is getting the start

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 10:42 AM MST reply actions

Career vs. Opp 2 1-0-1 0 2.90 .908

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 10:53 AM MST up reply actions

Entering play on 11/29, Steven Stamkos ranked tied for 1st place among NHL goal scorers with the most goals since 2/17. Stamkos is joined by Alex Ovechkin for the lead with 33 goals, while Columbus’ Rick Nash sits in second place with 32. Stamkos is followed by Dany Heatley and Jarome Iginla with 29, and Ilya Kovalchuk with 28.

damn

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 10:51 AM MST reply actions

Good for Stamkos. He was tossed into a crappy situation as a rookie last year, but he’s definitely proven worthy of a top pick. That being said, I hope he’s a -5 tonight.

If Santa comes down my chimney wearing those Red Wing colors, he's going to wish he didn't exist.

by Dixomatic on Nov 30, 2009 11:00 AM MST up reply actions

foreshadow alert

Tanguay is 3 goals shy of his 200th NHL career goal total and 1 away from his 400th career assist.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 10:52 AM MST reply actions

1 goal away from his 400th career assist?

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 10:56 AM MST up reply actions

so expect him to get a little closer to those milestones tonight

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 10:56 AM MST up reply actions

He does seem to constantly score against us.

I still have his jersey hanging in my closet. It’s one of many and will not be the one I wear tonight, but it’s still there.

Sandie

by Sandie Gauthier on Nov 30, 2009 11:28 AM MST up reply actions

pain in my ass, you are

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 11:01 AM MST up reply actions

must restrain ….. AD joke ……. no ……..

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 11:02 AM MST up reply actions

lol

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 11:09 AM MST up reply actions

Hating to pick on one guy

But wtf is going to motivate Wolski to start playing hard on every shift and on both ends of the ice?

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 10:57 AM MST reply actions

he seemed to respond when he was part of the press box brigade

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 10:58 AM MST up reply actions

im pretty much done with him. trade him while the value is high.

by thedoctor on Nov 30, 2009 11:03 AM MST up reply actions

Package

Wolly, Svats, pick an overpriced D-man or two, and draft picks for Kovalchuk? Or can they afford Kovalchuk? If not, package them for two other top two line type forwards who at least show up every night and play hard on both ends.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 11:11 AM MST up reply actions

i’d take kovalchuk and Reasoner, the man can win mad draws

that being said, if i HAD to give up a centreman, id give them O’Reilly

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:13 AM MST up reply actions

id give them O’Reilly

Please take a minute. Go outside and think about what you said. Then come back.

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 11:24 AM MST up reply actions

hey idealy i wouldnt want to deal him, but atlanta isn’t going to give us kovalchuk for a couple players with high potential and a draft pick

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:28 AM MST up reply actions

Stop creating dilemmas

My head already hurts

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 11:29 AM MST up reply actions

O'Reilly...

Let’s trade a guy who can potentially plays for another 15 years, for a guy who is nearing the tailend of his career? No thanks.

Sandie

by Sandie Gauthier on Nov 30, 2009 11:31 AM MST up reply actions

ok ok clearly im crazy

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

You aren’t crazy. Stastny-Duchene-O’Reily is such a good group of centers it’s mind boggling. It took Pittsburgh two years to get their young players the right people around them. The same with Chicago. We’re headed there. We just need tweaking. Kovu would be amazing if it didn’t dismantle everything else. But Stewart, Svats, Wolski, Liles (sorry) might be possible departures.

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 11:36 AM MST up reply actions

i would have to agree with svats and stewart leaving, svats never seemed to get it, and stewart isn’t really progressing at the rate we thought he would.

i would like to chalk up lile’s start to his injury, so the jury is out on that one

wolski, move him please, but i want something equal in return

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:40 AM MST up reply actions

i think my bf will be traded as there are teams out there who would want/need his PP skills and he could get the team something decent in return. and as shocked as you all will be, i am ready to admit it might not be a bad idea.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 11:49 AM MST up reply actions

Shit… I looked up the wrong age.. Ignore ME!

Sandie

by Sandie Gauthier on Nov 30, 2009 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

yeah, I was scratching my head at that comment. Kovalchuk is 26. I really like O’Reilly, but I would absolutely include him in a package to get Kovalchuk. No matter how good ORLY becomes, he’s not going to be THAT good.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 11:43 AM MST up reply actions

that being said, id want to sign kovalchuk to something long term..if come trade deadline we’re in the second season hunt, i wouldn’t want to give up O’Reilly just for a rental player

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:48 AM MST up reply actions

oh, I agree. We’d have to lock him up for a significant amount of time. all pipe dreams, of course, but I would be absolutely ecstatic to see him in an Avalanche unipron

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 11:59 AM MST up reply actions

Wolski, Stewart, O’Reilly, shattenkirk for Kovachuk, little or peverly + some picks going either way, as long as they locked up Kovachuk before the trade.

Ryan O'Reilly for the Calder.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on Nov 30, 2009 12:02 PM MST up reply actions

Don't trade for Kovi

I love Kovalchuk. Love him, but there’s no reason to trade for him this season unless you think the Avs are a cup contender, here’s why:

The Thrashers are either going to:
a) re-sign him to a long term deal, or
b) trade him, and he’ll be a UFA this summer.

There’s a slight possibility he signs with the team he’s traded to, but how many cup contenders have the cap space to sign him long term?

Wait until the summer, sign him as a Free Agent. Keep O’Reilly.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 12:04 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed.

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 12:07 PM MST up reply actions

waiting until the summer worked for Bouwmeester, right?

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 12:17 PM MST up reply actions

You’re in a feisty mood today, DDC.

Imo, they only make some sort of deal for Kovy if they can work out some sort of long-term RW-like contract with him that brings the average cap hit down to some manageable level.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 12:21 PM MST up reply actions

it’s Miss Jackson to you

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 12:40 PM MST up reply actions

I said it’s a possibility, but it’s still not a likely one.

That said, Not sure who Kovi would be traded to that has the space to re-sign him without a massive roster overhaul.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 12:39 PM MST up reply actions

not that im saying we should, but im sure we would free up some space with wolski shipped out, plus don’t we have 6.5 mil in space

*Wolski makes 3.1 this year and is an RFA next year

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 12:48 PM MST up reply actions

5.92 in space

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 12:49 PM MST up reply actions

is that before Hensick and Preissing left?

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 12:53 PM MST up reply actions

it says as of today

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 12:58 PM MST up reply actions

*Wolski makes 3.1 this year and is an RFA next year

He makes 3.1 this year but his cap hit is 2.8…300K isn’t a lot but it helps.

The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Nov 30, 2009 1:30 PM MST up reply actions

Wait, so you’re saying use logic and don’t trade from an emotional need? That’s just not going to work for me.

Ryan O'Reilly for the Calder.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on Nov 30, 2009 12:27 PM MST up reply actions

That's just crazy talk!

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 12:29 PM MST up reply actions

If I’m Atlanta, I’d do that deal in a heartbeat….IF I WAS FREAKING HIGH

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 11:15 AM MST up reply actions

Recent pic of Atlanta GM

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 11:18 AM MST up reply actions

Some have accused Don Waddle of being a bit high from time to time

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 11:20 AM MST up reply actions

regardless, we need someone who can win draws, and reasoner can do just that.

His FO% over the last 5:
35.7%- 12:16 TOI
40.9% – 15:54 TOI
63.6%- 14:46 TOI
72.7%- 10:18 TOI
58.3%- 10:20 TOI

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:27 AM MST up reply actions

O’Reilly’s doing a pretty good job of it himself.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 11:51 AM MST up reply actions

just lookin at his stats here, and yes, i would have to agree

'I googled what the white stuff in a Ho-Ho was, i found out it has NINE cups of sugar..that will KILL YOU, it would turn your blood into fruit punch!'

by horbayj on Nov 30, 2009 11:54 AM MST up reply actions

I say no to Kovalchuk.

Both as a UFA and via trade. Why? Because I don’t want to end up like the Hawks with big money contracts that make re-signing the core difficult. Get the core (SoS, ORLY, Dutchy, Jones, and the young D) locked up long term, and THEN if you have money left over go after UFAs. But not before you know how much space you have with the core guys signed.

by ExiledAmongYou on Nov 30, 2009 2:11 PM MST up reply actions

I was kind of thinking that too. Especially since I’ve heard that Kovy is looking for max dollars. And sadly, the Avs may have already overpaid for SoS. And Liles.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 2:14 PM MST up reply actions

PS:

Don’t hurt me Beachie.

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 2:14 PM MST up reply actions

apparently you missed my comment that trading him wouldn’t not be a bad idea. and the one where i said i’m breaking up with hiim if he doesn’t up his play. and the comment that he’s reminding me of arnason lately.

no, i won’t hurt you at all.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 2:29 PM MST up reply actions

Yep

Missed it all. Wow, how the mighty have fallen in your eyes. And they say that love is blind? I guess not. He hasn’t been good lately. Wonder why?

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 2:31 PM MST up reply actions

Love may be blind, but it’s not stupid.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 2:33 PM MST up reply actions

Especially if he can’t “up” his play, right? The truth will out.

Get rid of the loser point

09-10 Avs- Nowhere to go but up!

by TheRed on Nov 30, 2009 3:40 PM MST up reply actions

yes, the inability to up things definitely makes a difference.

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 4:18 PM MST up reply actions

grrrr…

trading him wouldn’t ~~not~~ be a bad idea

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 2:32 PM MST up reply actions

Meh...

if they overpaid for SoS, it wasn’t by much. The Sedins produce at around the same rate as SoS, and they’re at $6.1 a piece. If you factor in the slight upgrade defensively from a Sedin to SoS and the age difference (and therefore potential for improvement above a PPG pace), I don’t mind that contract at all.

As for Hot Pocket, he IS still on pace for one of his best offensive seasons despite his lackluster play of late. I’m not too worried about him; if he can put up 40+ points I don’t mind his salary.

by ExiledAmongYou on Nov 30, 2009 2:20 PM MST up reply actions

Kovalchuck is worht max dollars.

He’s a top-10 NHL player.

And sorry if Signing Kovalchuck means not having Galiardi or O’Reilly… well then bummer.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 2:48 PM MST up reply actions

disagree on max dollars. too many ifs (if they stay healthy, if they perform at the same level, etc) riding on ONE player.

If Kovy wants a Hossa package, I’m all for it. But if he wants 10m per year, no thanks. I’d rather sign, say, Marleau and Vermette for less money combined!

Marleau (as a winger) might actually be a great fit here if the Sharks don’t re-sign him. Speed, scoring, size…

by thedoctor on Nov 30, 2009 3:29 PM MST up reply actions

Marleau and Me

Avalanche 2009-2010: We fend off 7 man power plays? Do you?

by c6hor8 on Nov 30, 2009 3:38 PM MST up reply actions

i see what you did there

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 4:19 PM MST up reply actions

By max dollars it’s more on a Malkin/Ovechkin scale (probably a cut below, especially with the recession and all).

But it seems pretty fair for him

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 3:49 PM MST up reply actions

what do you think he would make? 8? 8.5? I’m not down for either of those. I wouldn’t want to go past a 7m cap hit on a front loaded Hossa style deal.

by thedoctor on Nov 30, 2009 3:56 PM MST up reply actions

(Cap hits – M)

Iginla : $7M
Crosby: $8.7
Malkin: $8.7
Zetterberg: $6. 0
Datsyuk: $6.8
Thornton: $7.2
Lecavelier: $7.7M

7.0-$7.5M seems about right. It’s worth noting that all those contracts, save the 2 Ailes, were pre-recession. Last season’s top contract: Hossa: was < $6M cap hit (but $7.4 in real salary).

I think if the Avs do some of the financial shenanigans that other teams do, you could pay him $8M but have a cap hit in the 6.75 range… which seems pretty reasonable to me.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 30, 2009 4:42 PM MST up reply actions

i would do that as well. Not so sure about Kovy, though I can’t figure out who would pay his supposed 10m+ demands besides ATL.

by thedoctor on Nov 30, 2009 4:51 PM MST up reply actions

hopefully, me telling him I’m gonna put my foot 10 feet up his ass on Twitter will help.

Mile High Mayhem just another ho-hum Avs blog.

by InfamousM on Nov 30, 2009 2:02 PM MST up reply actions

Where in the world is Trailer Arnassons?? Has that programming been dumped already?

2009-2010 Avs: a game away from being up on blocks

by BeachNSnowGirl on Nov 30, 2009 11:55 AM MST reply actions

heh, maybe losing a little steam there. but I read at HF today that Arnie had 2 goals today (in the first period, no less) so I think an update is in order. The team is totally photo happy, so I’m figuring there’ll be some good photos of the event!

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 12:01 PM MST up reply actions

Just picked up two more Blackhawks games to cover…one is against the Wings. Good times!!

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 12:56 PM MST reply actions

Oh please oh please oh please

Refer to them as the douched wheel, just once?

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 12:59 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe just in my MHH report…just for you BIB

by chiavsfan on Nov 30, 2009 1:19 PM MST up reply actions

I would love to hear them being called Les Ailes or such on air

But since I assume derogatory names would get you fired, we will all have to settle with the MHH report.

A 2nd round rookie in the race for Calder? ORLY? Ya RLY!

by Drakenlot on Nov 30, 2009 3:48 PM MST up reply actions

No ’duk tonight and AD not wearing any pants. (simma down now, DDC)

And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.

by Bob in Boulder on Nov 30, 2009 2:30 PM MST reply actions

cute!

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 2:42 PM MST up reply actions

I don't know about slacks

but I am sure he could probably find some nice Bermuda shorts, black socks, and sandals like my Grandpa used to like to wear.

Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.

by hockeymom on Nov 30, 2009 3:34 PM MST up reply actions

I just threw out a pair of jean shorts yesterday I found while cleaning out my closet

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Nov 30, 2009 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

No Kovalchuk

It defeats the entire philosophy of “rebuilding.” Trade away our future for a name player. That is how the Avs got in this mess in the first place. Don’t get me wrong – I love the guy and would love to see him in a unipron, but I don’t think trading half the team to get him is the way to go.

Sure, trade Salei, Clark and Svatos for him, but is that really going to happen?

It's hard to be a saint in this city

by Nemesis44UK on Dec 1, 2009 2:39 AM MST reply actions