An Opinion As To Why The Waiving Of Yip Is Extremely Important
by c6hor8 on Jan 20, 2012 7:56 AM MST
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Mirtle tweeted this after Yip was claimed: " Predators claimed Brandon Yip on waivers. Leafs didn't put in claim. Was surprised the Avs gave up on him, though." (emphasis is mine)
This comment spun in my brain all last night and since it's Friday and the people I am supposed to be monitoring are doing nothing, I will present my thoughts.
Duchene, O'Reilly, Stastny, Stewart, Shattenkirk, Mueller, Galiardi, Jones, Quincey, Wilson, Yip, Cumiskey. What does this group have in common?
This was the beginning of the Avs' rebuild. The start of the youth movement and rebirth of the team. Two years ago we watched that group, buffetted by older players, make a playoff run. The next year Stewart and Shattenkirk were gone for an equally young Johnson, a draft of Siemens, and Elliott to replace Shattenkirk the next year. It was a trade of youth for youth but also skill for skill and some need for need. The youthful core was still intact, but adjusted. Youth. Youth. Youth. Youth. Youth. The Avalance front office showed us that youth was their plan and it was the future. They would start from this seed and grow.
Then this offseason happened. Varly. Landeskog. Elliott brought up. More youth, more core-ness, but additions to create a "team" not just a core for the future: Hejda, Giguere, Kobasew (shut up Dario), O'Brien. A slight change from the plan, but it fits the mold of developing a team. Then the real changes started to happen.
Cumiskey was traded. He had no place and it makes sense. He never regained his form and no longer fit the larger defense model. But Yip, Yip is different. The Avs "gave up on him". They gave up on a member of their youthful core. Why? Because the core was already done.
I adduce that the front office has established what their core is and the waiving, and losing, of Yip was a sign that the rebuild is done and now the future is at hand. It may not work this year or next, but it's done. They finally gave up on a member of the core, not through trade, but through lack of need.
Yip offers nothing to the youthful core because the core is complete and there is enough in the system to replace him. No more "future" talk. I posit that the Avalanche have turned the corner from "build today, succeed tomorrow" to "we build yesterday, we will win today".
The waiving, and "giving up on", of Yip is minor in the scheme of the team, but humangous big in the picture of the the mindset of the front office. I have been waiting for a trade that involves a youthful core member, like Jones, for a player who can help immediately, as that sort of trade would mark the turning point for the Avs and the plan of the front office. (I also waited for it in order to prove my point that the front office has a concerted plan and will add talent this off season) Though that trade has not come, the Yip transaction I think is an even clearer example of what the front office has for a plan.
In closing, I postulate that Yip's largest contribution to the team, sesame street references notwithstanding, will be that his waiving marked the change in the Avalanche, as a team and front office, that brought them from focusing on rebuilding to focusing on winning.
Also, if I am right, I will look like a genius. If I am wrong, I will have AJ erase any existence of this fanpost.
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Or Yip just sucked, wasn’t working hard enough…and really didn’t deserve to stunt anyone else’s development by being down in Lake Erie.
But again, you could be right on the money. Only time will tell
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
Put me in the Yip just sucked camp.
DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 20, 2012 10:05 AM MST up reply actions
Me too. I took the waiver as the Avs not seeing the work or performance they needed to see going forward.
Waiving Yip doesn’t mean they won’t go out and find another young winger to replace him within the core.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 20, 2012 10:40 AM MST up reply actions
I viewed Yip as a low-risk/high-reward sort of gamble. He was never part of our “core”, but boy wouldn’t it have be nice if we found another late-rounder develop like we did with Jones. Yip played over 100 NHL games but his production and development (for a 26-year-old) was not effective enough. Porter and VDG removed the need to keep him around.
I saw the rebuilding over after:
1) 1-2 punch down the middle (draft ’09) (with added bonus of a stud PMD)
2) Beef up our defense (trade and drafting in ’11)
3) Acquire a potential long-term goalie (free agency ’11)
No one in that group is over 23 at the moment, so THAT, to me, is our core on which we can build for the next 5 years. Clearly we need to add some other elements, but that’s were FA and trades come in.
I'm such a huge fan of the Avs I can name who our goalie was FOUR seasons ago! Crazy, right?!
by Guitarpick8120 on Jan 20, 2012 11:12 AM MST up reply actions
I am not disagreeing. I think this move is a sign that it will begin to happen.
A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.
Oh, for sure. The only thing I disagree with you on is that Yip was a part of our core. I honestly see it more as the Avs saw that he was still here halfway through this season with nary a point in 10 games and then just went:
I'm such a huge fan of the Avs I can name who our goalie was FOUR seasons ago! Crazy, right?!
by Guitarpick8120 on Jan 20, 2012 11:25 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the big thing about the waiving had to do with the fact that management knew Yip — a UFA — needed some more playing time and weren’t too worried if someone grabbed on the way down to the AHL. That said, I liked Yip.
by Kyle Stucker on Jan 20, 2012 1:56 PM MST up reply actions
I wish I shared your optimism, c6. I think the only master plan for the Avs is in Enos’ wallet.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
Which would grow a lot fatter if the Avs were doing well. Time will tell.
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Jan 20, 2012 9:48 AM MST up reply actions
I’m curious if they’ll bring in anyone at the deadline. not so much the cap hit, but actually paying people $$.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 20, 2012 10:40 AM MST up reply actions
Exactly. People do forget that cap hit and money is not always the same. For example- Jumbotron. It draws the fans and players are attracted by the idea that they will be playing in front of a big crowd.
But, but,
TINEETRONZ IZ M8D IN MRIKA!!
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Said Stastny, Mueller, EJ and future Av Parise?
Please, God – this.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
I texted a question into Drew & Scott today on the Fan while they had Josh “Spoiled Owner with Spoiled Fans” Kroenke on regarding this. I asked that since he took care of Daddy’s favorite franchise by signing Gallo to an extension, now would be a good time to try and lock up Duchene and O’Reilly right? Drew & Scott presented the question, and Kroenke dodged it by saying that he has been in talks with his hockey people regarding it. No real answer or news.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 27, 2012 1:29 AM MST up reply actions
A few musings of my own....
I think management has just been biding their time while the core was getting sorted out. I’m with you c6 – I think our group of guys is pretty well set right now and the organization has started to refine the team instead of building it. I may be wrong, but I honestly believe that this summer, we’ll shed all the dead weight (like Hunwick and Stoa) and lock up our core players for at least 3-5 years. KSE wants to maximize profit, and sometimes you have to spend a money to make money. With almost all of players – including the core ones – up for a contract renewal, this is the summer to do it. If this offseason goes well, the Avs could be a solid playoff team as early as next year. It it doesn’t, it could derail the entire rebuild. I still have faith that KSE will come through for us, but if not, I too will grab a pitchfork and riot.
As far as refining the core goes, I’m starting to wonder about Jones. He’s not been good this year. Where does he fit in long term? He’s not exactly one of the pups anymore either – he’s 27 right now. He had a great season last year, but with Sacco’s new team defense style, he just seems lost. Is he a part of the long-term solution? If not, I still think he can help get us someone that is, especially if we make a deal with an Eastern team that plays a fast, wide-open style and is in need of a little size (Montreal?).
The fact we have 3 Top 6 centers makes life interesting as well. Management has made it pretty clear that Duchene and O’Reilly are the future of this franchise, so where does that leave Paul? With his contract, he’s not getting moved any time soon – the earliest I could see him being traded is during the last year of his contract (‘13-’14). So what do we do until then? Play Duchene at wing? While I love Duchene as a winger – it really opens up the ice for him and lets him use his speed – I worry that he could be a better player for us long-term as a center and that due to our depth, he might not get the chance to refine his game at that position. How the club decides to resolve this could have a potentially deep effect for a lot of years.
Also, can we count on Mueller long-term? While I would love to say yes – when he’s on, he’s amazing for this team and it seems like he really wants to stay here – are we sure he’s out of the woods? Look at Crosby. He was 100% back earlier this year, then checked out again 8 games later. I guess only time can tell, but even if Mueller does end up struggling with his concussion again this year, is his skill worth the risk of signing him to a contract he may never play during? If it becomes an issue (and I’m praying that it won’t and he’s back to stay), how long can this club afford to wait for him to get better?
And what about the Duke? He’ll have a contract as long as he wants one, but he’s not been his normal self this year. With the CBA stuff going on, the Cap could be lowered for next season which would mean a glut of solid FA’s on the market this year. It might be our best chance to pick up a long-term replacement for his position. While this is all based on a lot of “ifs”, one thing is for sure – the Duke is getting closer and closer to hanging them up. He’s not a long-term piece of this puzzle any more. Unless the organization is counting on the concussed Hishon to be able to fill his shoes soon, we need to consider life after Duke, and this summer could be the ideal time to do so.
And what about our #2 D? Johnson’s quietly cementing his role as our #1, but who is going to be his partner? Seimens is still a long ways out and is far from a sure bet, and Quincey is streaky and doesn’t play a style that necessarily meshes with EJ’s. Wilson is our best bet right now, but is the 24-year-old Top 2 caliber? I see some similarities between EJ and Weber’s game – is Wilson EJ’s Sutter or do we have to keep looking? If we answer that, our blueline could be set for a while at least.
I think this team is close to where it needs to be, but there are still some important decisions to make before the rebuild can be over. We’re done with the first stage – the actual building part – but the shaping of this young team into a championship one is going to take a while yet.
That got longer than I expected, but oh well. Just a few thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head for a while.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
by andidee15 on Jan 20, 2012 12:48 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Your new nickname here is Tolstoy.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
by Hopfenkopf on Jan 20, 2012 1:13 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs
Zorro Tolstoy
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 20, 2012 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs
DONE
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. - Kv
by MalachiConstant on Jan 20, 2012 1:25 PM MST up reply actions
Of Mueller finishes the season healthy. Not re-signing him would be an enormous mistake
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 20, 2012 5:52 PM MST up reply actions
Altitude, dry air, and long plane trips have no impact on concussions. The boards in the Pepsi Center last year did. They’re gone.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 21, 2012 1:31 PM MST up reply actions
I’m with you Andi, except …. I hate to say this, but does Duchene deserve the center position? He’s not been good this year, and with Stats finally—finally—heating up, well, what to do?
I think Dutchy could become a good #1 scoring center, but I think right now, Stastny and O’Reilly are both better than him in the defensive side of that position. I still like Dutchy at wing, but you can’t build a team around just wingers. Stazz and Radar are both good, but I’m not sure they can bring the huge point totals that Duchene could at that position. Still, Stastny is a great set-up man and has broken 70pts more seasons than he hasn’t, and Duchene is more of a finisher and that might be better on the wing. However, there is also the option of rolling 3 scoring lines – I think we may be just a winger or two short of being able to do that.
I still like Dutchy as a winger, but if we can find a way to roll three #1 quality lines, that would really, really mess with everyone else in the league. But if we decide to do that, we’d have to sacrifice one of our big energy lines that are actually becoming a solid secondary scoring/defensive threat right now.
I’m torn. Both sound like good options and there’s pros and cons to each. I will say that I’m very curious to see The Apostle line though. I think that line more than anything else will help sway my opinion of Duchene more than anything. I hope it works.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Mueller will get a new contract as long as he doesn’t go down with another concussion to finish the season. I think he will get one even if he scores less than 10 goals to finish the season.
I don’t think the Yip waiver was any sort of sign/plan from management other than they needed to make roster space and other players deserved to be up with the big club over him.
Yip Yup, sounds about right
Meow-valanche. Prrr-valanche.
by Sean Harsha on Jan 28, 2012 10:29 AM MST up reply actions
I don’t think the waiving of Yip is an indicator of the status of the rebuild, I think it’s more that he wasn’t putting forth the same effort as last season, Brad Malone has a more rounded game and Yip changed his number to 18.
While I agree that the Avs have reached a transitionary period between rebuilding & win now, I think that waiving a fringe NHLer carries less weight than the development of other players (Duchene, RoR, etc).
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
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