2nd Half Turnaround Candidates
by Mike @ MHH on Jan 26, 2012 1:09 PM MST
in Avalanche News & Notes
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PrintRegardless of your opinion on the overall make-up of the team, where you think they'll finish the '11-'12 season, or the front office practices I think we can all agree that several stalwart Colorado players have been less than outstanding underwhelmed this season. In you're heart-of-Burgundy-hearts, who do you think is the most likely to have a 2nd half resurgence in Denver? Who's gonna be the player that rights his own personal Costa Concordia? Will it be perennial gap-toothed assistant captain Paul Stastny? Will it be franchise face Matt Duchene? Will Old Man Winter Milan Hejduk up his production for another run at 25 goals? Will purported No. 1 netminder Semyon Varlamov see a lessening of his bench door duties? Will David Jones give a fuck regain his goal scoring touch? Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments to let the MHH readers nominate their 2nd Half Turnaround Candidate!
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If I said, None
…. implying that I am waiting for injuries or something else to sodomize our team and for almost every player to regress, and for us to give Washington a top 5 pick…….
would you hold it against me?
I will… but that’s only because I’m an asshole.
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 26, 2012 6:38 PM MST up reply actions
Mueller
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent
Wave the red flag in front of the bull. Go on. I dare you.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 26, 2012 1:19 PM MST up reply actions
Can one assistant editor ban hammer another?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Jan 26, 2012 1:19 PM MST up reply actions
THat would sure make things interesting around here
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
The... power... is... intoxicating....
by Tony Trujillo on Jan 26, 2012 6:39 PM MST up reply actions
I have 2 infinity gauntlets….
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 8:59 PM MST up reply actions
Doesn’t he look faster than before?
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
by GeorgeInLimbo on Jan 26, 2012 2:27 PM MST up reply actions
I think Stastny will have a coming out party once he has real wingers in Duchene and Mueller.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
I think Stastny ends the year as the Avs leading scorer.
by Do Not Feed the Octopus on Jan 26, 2012 1:27 PM MST up reply actions
John Fucking Tavares has played with Matt Fucking Moulson and P.A. Fucking Parenteau for most of the year. Seems like he’s the perfect example of a guy who makes his wingers better.
Stastny’s the fucking veteran who pulls down major coin and has been a prolific scorer in the past. Expectations for him are, and should be, very high.
Tavares is a winger
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 26, 2012 3:03 PM MST up reply actions
Huh
always thought he was a winger.
That said, Moulson’s a good player. But Stastny does have to produce more.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 26, 2012 3:21 PM MST up reply actions
agreed. my comment is more on how the d and goaltending have carried the team this year. not saying they’ve been great but our offense is anemic
by Do Not Feed the Octopus on Jan 26, 2012 3:22 PM MST up reply actions
the difference between Tavares and SOS is mainly Tavares is such a good finisher, so good around the net and great shot. Stas scores mostly on rebounds from what I’ve seen. He doesn’t have to score 30 goals but his wingers do, that’s his strength, passiing as we all know.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:32 PM MST up reply actions
Stastny just needs to play more lacrosse then.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
he’s a center but I agree with DiD. He’s already playing with decent players and he’s got to be better for them to have a shot at playoffs. 30 pts in 48 games is way to low for no 1 center.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:08 PM MST up reply actions
This is the time of year when stastny has historically torn it up out there. Picking him is easymode.
I’ll make a ballsier pick later.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
by SteveHouse on Jan 26, 2012 1:32 PM MST via Android app reply actions
Easymode: Picking Stastny to rebound.
Hardmode: Picking which team it will be for.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
haha
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
by GeorgeInLimbo on Jan 26, 2012 2:26 PM MST up reply actions
he’s not making his trade value very attractive right now so hope Sherm doesn’t do something stupid. Bobby Ryan or Carter for SOS/Barrie or SOS/Quincey or Hejda, I would do that deal all day long. Think Ryan is untouchable now tho as he’s gotten hot. They need PF type, Benn/Neal, etc. b/c they have too many finesse guys. We need more grit (Landy) and toughness. A Hartnell (who’s going nowhere) would be great too. Say what you will but Malone (with his cap hit, etc. and TB’s record) for say Quincey would really help us I think. Perfect on SOS line with Jones.
malone-sos-jones
duke-duuchene-mueller
landy-radar-gali
might be pretty attractive top 3 lines
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:25 PM MST up reply actions
How can you say we have too many finesse guys and need grit? We have a ton of supposed ‘scorers’ (who I equate with the finesse side of the equation) that can’t score and a bottom six full of Silent Jays, Winniks, Galiardi’s, VDG’s, McLeods, etc. We don’t need grit, we need forward that can find the BACK OF THE FUCKING NET.
Sorry, rant over.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
yeah, and they all play from the outside. Landy is honestly our best PW and he’s 19? we don’t score primarily b/c we don’t score dirtry goals like all the teams do AGAINST us. They just crash the net and screen the goalie and knock in rebounds! We need a finisher tho, that’s for sure!
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:14 PM MST up reply actions
Honestly? Varlamov. I bet he wins the job back before playoffs
Cap Floor Team = Cap Floor Results
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 26, 2012 2:15 PM MST reply actions
Agree. JSG has been awesome, but I think the point of diminishing returns hits at anything more than 50% of the workload. By the end of the year I think Varly will be playing 2 out of 3 games.
"He who fucks nuns will later join the church." -The Clash
Varlamov has never played a full load of a season. Without extra coaching, or a switch going off in his brain, I think what you see is what you get…an inconsistent goalie who can be phenomenal at times, and way below average other times
Goalie coach? We don't need no stinking goalie coach!
I agree he needs a coach, if he can get his angles down, he’s very athletic and young. He seems to let some pretty basic shots go in form what I can see.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:27 PM MST up reply actions
I think you are too harsh on Varly. He’s never been as inconsistent as he has been this season. Check his stats from last season. Last season he had a few bad games but nothing like this season. I think what you are seeing is a young goalie that really could use some coaching help. I think it’s too soon to consider him a bust, unless you want the Avs to get rid of another goalie that will turn out to play much better on another team.
You make it sound like him not playing a full load was due to inconsistency and not injury.
Paraphrasing a goaltender friend of mine: “Full-Time Goalie Coach is special voodoo that this franchise of old would NEVER have looked into, so why should we expect otherwise now?”
By not getting a full-timer in here, the Valarmov trade has been extremely hamstrung. KSE has no idea how to run an NHL franchise as evidenced by the people they have in charge that they then throw under the bus when it’s convenient to take the heat off of themselves in the Denver Post.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 26, 2012 11:58 PM MST up reply actions
I’m not exactly sure this is true. While I think a full time goalie coach would be beneficial, I think blaming Varlamov’s struggles entirely on it is too much. Other goalies are able to suceed without a full time coach.
Also, if Varlamov really feels a full-time goalie coach would benefit him, he could tell those concerns to the franchise (which he may have done, he certainly did publically. But we know how well this franchise reacts to public criticism). If he still feels the need, well he makes plenty of money to hire one, which would be in his best long term interests. Obviously I don’t think it’s his responsibility, it’s the teams, but just because he shouldn’t have to doesn’t mean he can’t.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 27, 2012 8:32 AM MST up reply actions
Don’t forget that his coach of choice is under contract in the KHL until the end of this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in Denver next year, even if it’s on Varly’s dime. Not sure if there is something in the CBA that would prevent that.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I can’t argue with your point. But why on earth would you mortgage a 1st & 2nd for a young developing goalie and not provide the highest & best tools for his success? Seems wasteful and ignorant to say the least.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 27, 2012 9:35 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
That is the million dollar question that should be forwarded to KSE or Sherman
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 9:37 AM MST up reply actions
Oh, completely agree. I think the avs should provide a Goaltending coach, and it seems cheap that they don’t, especially considering the investment they have in Varly,
that said… it’s up to Varly (and in his best long term interest) to be better.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 27, 2012 10:02 AM MST up reply actions
I am okay with a Duchene-Stastny-Mueller-Hejduk-Johnson powerplay unit.
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.
Factor – Landy – Elliott – Quincey – Jones
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.
Rather have Galiardi in place of Jones for the 2nd unit at this point.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
me too
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 26, 2012 4:26 PM MST up reply actions
Stastny
I just can’t believe, with his possession numbers and his PDO being so low that it won’t come up. I’m honestly shocked it hasn’t started trending upwards yet.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 26, 2012 3:04 PM MST reply actions
Jibbles, you’ve corrupted me to the ways of the random magical numbers. I’m still not 100% sure that they directly correlate with play, but they sure are interesting to look at. At least PDO brings me hope that certain Avs are going to get their shit together at some point.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
well, I think SOS has had a extremely tough time finishing chances and I also think you will see a trade or two so that could change things a lot
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:30 PM MST up reply actions
Did you guys get that team PDO link last night, btw? I sent it via Twitter, long link, not sure if it worked or not.
I don’t think I got the link, but I did get the PDO number. 97.9 means we aren’t in regression mode at least.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
No, I had found those. I was hoping for a team one.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Everything I’ve read on PDO tells me it’s a very, very long term stat. Do we have the information to check Stastny’s career PDO? What if this year was not bad luck but regression from a long lucky stretch? His shooting percentage is right around league average (and his average since the Season that Wasn’t).
I struggle mightily to find good advanced stats resources, so anything you could offer is great.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
my vote
I think Duchene will light it up, he will likely be playing with much better players than first half (remember he was on 4th line for a bit) and he should be fresh. Got to think Duke will turn it around some too, he’s been invisible lately and that’s hurting us a lot.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:10 PM MST reply actions
(remember he was on 4th line for a bit)
1 game? Duchene’s been on a line with Hejduk, and/or Stastny the entire season, save 1 game.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 26, 2012 3:22 PM MST up reply actions
you know the exact stats but he with two top guys I think he will be much better, not to mention the pp gets better with him and that has been atrocious lately.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:28 PM MST up reply actions
That’s fine you think it’s Duchene (I think he’ll be better too), but he hasn’t been bad due to lack of quality teammates.
Avs at 19.2% PP over January, which isn’t all that bad (and right around their season average of 19.1%). Their biggest problem is in getting PPs
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 26, 2012 4:51 PM MST up reply actions
and giving them up. for the year, PPF: 157, PPA: 184 for the year so far.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 9:10 PM MST up reply actions
I thin Quincey and SOB have combined for about half of those power plays against. It sure feels like it most nights.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
The difference, at least I feel, is that a lot of SOBs penalties are roughing and standing up for his team mates whereas I see a lot of Quincey’s penalties being holding, tripping, hooking, lazy penalties. But I could be wrong
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 9:36 AM MST up reply actions
http://www.forecaster.ca/thestar.com/hockey/statistics.cgi?PIM-col-all&mode=&limit=50&seasonID=210
You could both be right, O’B1 is next, I’ll exclude McLeod since most of his PIM are fights. Anyway when was the last time the avs had more PP than the opponent, not too freakin’ often…
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 27, 2012 9:42 AM MST up reply actions
I think a lot of both of their penaltuies are bad penalties. I think we just expected it more out out of O’Brien
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 27, 2012 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
Dutchy tweaked his knee though, and even though it wasn’t surgery serious, it’s still probably going to take a bit to fully recover. His speed is his greatest aspect, and if he comes back moving at only 80%, he’s going to struggle to score as much as we would like, even with his on-ice BFF back.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
assuming he’s healhty which he should be I think
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:29 PM MST up reply actions
There’s a difference between “ready to play” and being back to full speed after that sort of injury. He’ll be healthy enough to get back in the lineup soon enough, but it could be months before Dutchy has his trademark pop of speed back.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
got to disagree, his knee will be fine before they let him back out, he didn’t blow his acl.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:34 PM MST up reply actions
But he’ll probably have lost some conditioning in this past month. Even if his knee isn’t bugging him, he’ll probably be able to play when he’s back at about 80-90%.
It’s going to take a few games at least to get back to speed. Maybe longer. Losing a month for any kind of injury – especially one that prevents you from doing full workouts for that time – is going to take some time to come back from.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
no doubt it will take a few games for him to get up to speed but these guys are so well conditioned now they get back up to speed quickly. If mueller can after 18 months off I think duchene will be 100% soon
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:43 PM MST up reply actions
According to Sandie and Cheryl, Mueller had been skating with the team for well over a month (possibly more) before returning. And according to some of his recent post-game interviews, he’s still not fully up to speed yet.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
ok, it will take duchene a month to play well
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:46 PM MST up reply actions
Okay, so assuming he comes back Feb. 1 like he’s supposed to (and which is looking a bit dubious right now), that means he’s potentially not going to kick into gear until March 1 or so. That leaves 18 games. And that’s assuming he does come back up to speed in only a month. If either his initial recovery or conditioning take longer than that, he could be a non-factor for a large part of the remainder of the season.
I’d love nothing more than to see Dutchy come back and kick some ass. But I honestly don’t think he’s going to be the game changer we need going down the stretch, especially because his slow starts to the season have shown that he needs a bit of time to “warm up”.
He’ll help, but Stastny and Hejduk need to be the game-changers that will put us over the top IMO.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
no argument on last sentence, that’s for sure.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:05 PM MST up reply actions
I really and truly do not believe it is going to take Duchene a month to get up to speed. I’d give it two games, maybe three at the most.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 26, 2012 4:05 PM MST up reply actions
agreed but andidee water-boarded me into submission! We will see but like I said these guys are in such awesome shape it doesn’t take long.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:06 PM MST up reply actions
I believe that you were Tolstoyed.
You were simply fortunate enough to get a word or two in edgewise.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Indeed.
Now hush while I talk at you!
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Last broadcast said Dutchy was supposed to be out a minimum of 1 month and he hasn’t resumed skating yet so it looks like he won’t be ready by the end of ASG weekend.
Living in the D, but It's All About The A.
by Avalanche318 on Jan 26, 2012 6:35 PM MST up reply actions
and his twitter was recently about overcoming adversity, I’m guessing it’s on the outside.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 9:10 PM MST up reply actions
The Bachelor:
A tale of adversity and triumph as a single good looking man. Who works hard and perseveres through allowing 30 attractive women to fawn over him and try to garner his attention…
I am boobs.
True Appreciator of the Dumba Train
by Thor the Clunge Destroyer on Jan 26, 2012 10:30 PM MST up reply actions
Even when Duchene is at 80% he is still one of the best on the ice. I’d give him 4-5 games to get back to what he can usually do. This is all assuming the knee heals well
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Jan 27, 2012 6:37 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
I don’t care how fast he is, if he doesn’t utilize the four other guys on the ice better (whether he’s at wing or center) he won’t see an uptick in production, IMO.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
he seemed to have good chemistry with Mueller and Duke, wouldn’t mind seeing that line tried again
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:17 PM MST up reply actions
Rather he play with SoS and see what happens when Sacco pushes all his chips to the center of the table night in, night out.
Duchene – SoS – Mueller
Landy – Radar – Hejduk
That’s a good top six and creates matchup problems for damn near every team in the conference.
Throw out a 3rd line of hustle and forecheck like VDG-Gali-Winnick and watch the Sedins take short shifts.
Then roll a 4th of Porter-McClement-McLeod about 8 minutes a game. Silent Jay takes all d-zone draws and tons of PK time with Winnick. That’s my plan.
Yeah, that’s right. Jones is in the pressbox.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Yeah, that’s right. Jones is in the pressbox.
That’s where he’s played himself into.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent
by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 26, 2012 4:28 PM MST up reply actions
what about subaru? he likes nachos but still….
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:34 PM MST up reply actions
I liked Kobe on that McCs line.
Living in the D, but It's All About The A.
by Avalanche318 on Jan 26, 2012 6:36 PM MST up reply actions
I could see that. I think he and Porter are pretty interchangeable as far as motor goes.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Kobario > Porter.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 9:11 PM MST up reply actions
I agree with Bob, it should be Johnson, he’s even playing better lately and with Mueller back and out there on the PP with him his #’s should pick up too.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 3:26 PM MST reply actions
To paraphrase Jay-Z, we’ve got 99 problems and a Johnson ain’t one. That’s why Bob’s pick was weak. Johnson’s improvement, whatever you think it will be, isn’t going to affect this team’s primary problem – scoring – the way improvement from 26 or 9 will.
For the record, I voted Stastny.
that’s why I think you will see them pull the trigger on a trade, even for a vet scorer who won’t cost too much. I don’t think we will see a Carter type, but Ray Whitney, Malone, that type of guy I can see. They have leverage with their cap space and they are basically set at ceneter for future so they could do something
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:36 PM MST up reply actions
Ray Whitney screams rental player. I don’t see Sherman making that trade
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Jan 27, 2012 6:40 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
I don’t really care who improves, but somebody…no…a lot of people have to get better, For this team to make the playoffs at least 2 or 3 of the guys above have to get it going somehow.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 3:44 PM MST up reply actions
Question
Do you think Jones will be back next year? I don’t. Think he has fallen out of favor unfortunately.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:38 PM MST reply actions
no way. was given a short contract to show what he can do again this year and well…. what exactly has he done to excite anyone?
Have another donut!
kind of funny as he was leading goal scorer last year and he has sucked this year and nobody even mentioned him as 2nd half player to break out?
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 3:55 PM MST up reply actions
I think it’s ‘easier’ to be a goal scorer on a truly horrible team (a la Mcleod a couple of years back) on a good team I don’t think he can put up those #’s.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 4:47 PM MST up reply actions
He kinda enforced my opinion of him that he’s a solid 3rd liner and not a true top 6. I think he belongs on a 3rd line with Gali.
The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.
He would if he’d fucking hit somebody more than once a month.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
you’d think he’s 5’6" and 150.
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 9:11 PM MST up reply actions
Aside from the difference between an 8th and a 2nd round pick – to a large degree, yes.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
at least Jones had one successful season.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 9:55 AM MST up reply actions
Oh, absolutely. Jones is by far the player with the least fail in that comparison.
Just for perspective, note that TJ Hensick has been by far the player with less fail that Stoa.
It’s not a very high bar.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Everyone had that short contract because of the looming expiration of the CBA,
Living in the D, but It's All About The A.
by Avalanche318 on Jan 26, 2012 6:28 PM MST up reply actions
Hard to say
He’s had 3 injury-prone seasons, 1 really good season and 1 stinker thus far. The work ethic he had during the Tank seems to have left and he’s been invisible more often than not this year. The reasons for his demotion are A) He’s not scoring B) he’s not using his size to his advantage by crashing the net or hitting and C) he’s not been great in Sacco’s new more defensive system. When Gali and Winnik are being played over you, it should be a wake-up call.
However, he’s not that old at 27 and did lead our club in goals last year. There are really only 2 seasons than he can be judged on – this one and last year’s. Which is the anomaly?
I wouldn’t mind terribly if the team re-signed him, but I think I’d prefer to see him swapped via trade for another potential Top 6 but currently struggling winger (similar to the Wolski/Mueller trade). I’m not sure Colorado is the best fit for him anymore.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
I keep thinking that Jones was just the best in a bad situation, an average player on a terrible team, I hope he proves me wrong
Mission 48.3 Accomplished!
by patrit19 on Jan 27, 2012 6:42 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
Jones is a bad fit for the current style of hockey that Sacco is preaching. When they run and gun, Jones scores. When they play responsible possession hockey, he’s lost. He’s not a bad player, he’s just misplaced on this team now. Stewart was the same kind of player, and he’s struggled in St. Louis. Hitch seems to be beating that out of him and he’s seen some improvement lately. Maybe Jones needs a new situation.
OK Shermie, time to be the shepherd
by Busted Twigg on Jan 28, 2012 1:24 PM MST up reply actions
I agree, would love to see us pry away Pacioretty from mtrl for say Jones and Quincey/Hejda. I think quincey has regressed and if they trade him or hejda that extra money may make it palitable to go after Suter, which would make an enormous difference IMO. Would play 23-25 minutes a game and play PP.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:04 PM MST reply actions
Trading Hejda for anything less that a proven, legit, currently-on-track scoring winger that scores at around 0.75+ PPG would be a huge fucking mistake.
Quincey can go. He’s a jack of all trades/naster of none defenseman right now and if there was some equal value coming back the other way, I’d have no problem. He’s too inconsistent and can’t lock down a 2nd PP unit job due to his propensity for stupid penalties and sloppy play.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
I don’t think he could command anything close to that but we are in TOTAL agreement on quincey, he’s lazy. He gets out of position all the time which is why he is always taking penalties. If we get Suter somehow Hejda is more tham expendable IMO tho.
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:21 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah, but to pry Suter out of Smashville prior to Feb. 28th will require a MASSIVE overpayment. He’s a draft day deal at the earliest.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
for sure, can’t trade for him but he’s a FA unless they sign him so won’t have to give up anything other than 6M/year
by the cool breeze on Jan 26, 2012 4:35 PM MST up reply actions
Derek Roy, amirite
2011-2012 Buffalo Sabres - Did the 2009 Avs kill this team and put their skin on?
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Crystal Palace FC - I've never been more proud. Eagles till I die!
I don’t get that rumor, why would the avs want a center back? more likely Stastny/jones for Pommer and Stafford + salary (or Pommer and Vanek + the avs give up some more).
Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 26, 2012 9:14 PM MST up reply actions
Avs would have to give up a lot more than stas and jones for pom staff and sal
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 26, 2012 9:25 PM MST up reply actions
Roy is too small and inconsistent. Things that we currently have and in bunches on this squad. At least forward-wise. Only person I take from Buffalo is Ryan Miller. Yes, even with his struggling this season and bloated contract.
by quietstorm560 on Jan 27, 2012 12:10 AM MST up reply actions
I’d take Vanek with all my heart and soul
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 12:11 AM MST up reply actions
….for the playoff nacho eating contest?
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Dude’s gonna light it up with the Alaska Aces. I’m telling you now.
2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.
Heck, he’d even light it up with the Lake Erie Monsters!
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
all right balls to the wall
Landeskog. He’s 10-16-26? Let’s watch him break 50.
20 Theoretical Thomas Dollars on it.
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
55*
dammit ghosts
At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?
what were our expectations?
i seem to remember themajority saying 30-40 right? I think even if he lands in that zone, his great two way play makes up for many of the other attributes that he lacks.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 26, 2012 11:48 PM MST up reply actions
Problem is
there are at least 4 underachieving players- Duchene, Stastny, Hejduk and Jones. It’s third part of our forward core and more than half of our “scorers”. What was our (supposed) top 6 at the beginning of the season?
Lindstrom/Koba-Stastny-Jones
Mueller-Duchene-Hejduk
We were expecting these guys to be our scorers and Landeskog-O’Reilly-Galiardi to help with secondary scoring. Ok, Mueller was injured, so we are cutting him some slack. Management thought he will heal, so obviously, it’s their mistake. Lindstrom was a bust, Kobasew is secondary scorer/grinder. So, initially mistake was on our management.
Factor and Landeskog were good enough and were promoted to the second line. So, they took the place of Mueller and Kobasew/Lindstrom in the top six. Problem is Duchene-Hejduk-Jones-Stastny stayed avarage. 2 players can’t carry top six. Every line should at least have 2 players playing on their level to be somehow successful.
Therefore, we will need at least 2 of Duchene-Hejduk-Jones-Stastny to get better, Mueller should continue his revival and Landy-O’Reilly should sustain their play in order for us to get to the playoffs.
Duchene-Stastny-Mueller
Landeskog-Radar-Hejduk
Winnik-Galiardi-Jones
Kobasew-McC-VdG
That’s a good lineup, bet we can win ton of games if our forwards score anywhere near their average career output.
IMO I think Stastny has gotten better. He is usually around for scoring chances, and putting him with a real shooter like Mules has really helped his playmaking numbers go up.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 7:00 AM MST up reply actions
Stastny is better than he was in the beginning of the season. Still he misses at least one glorious chance every game. Maybe it’s just luck, but then his shooting percentage is around league average, so it can be luck only issue.
by Ilkinio on Jan 27, 2012 11:00 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions
Anyone think that maybe Stastny’s tendency to go right to the front of the net this year has a lot to do with his numbers? He seems to be concentrating more on trying to get tip-ins and rebounds than actually being the guy to set up the plays.
4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.
Na, I think he is doing the right thing, because a lot of goals are scored from being in front of the net, hard nosed goals. I think his production as dipped (assist production at the least) due to his lack of good wingers around him. Gali picked up his game and then Stastny started to put up points. Mules came back with a burning fire and Stastny put up even more numbers. He can’t make bad players better, but he can make good players better.
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
by ProfessorOak on Jan 27, 2012 11:18 AM MST up reply actions
It’s possible. Even as far back as Ryan Smyth I think that those “Front of the net” guys production numbers (Pts, Gs As) are a bit low when it comes to representing how much they mean to a team. Landeskog can fit in here a little too.
The point is that these guys do a lot to help a team keep possession (they tend to be the guys digging the puck out from behind the net) where it gets passed around and then shot at net… where they have parked themselves. sometimes they get a goal credit with a tip, but sometimes they just screen the goalie and the puck goes in. They get no credit, but are instrumental in the goal. (Look at the gorgeous 5F pp from a week or two ago. Landeskog deserves an assist on that play with a prefect screen, but doesn’t get one).
That said, I don’t know how much more Stastny is going to the net as opposed to years prior. It seems to me like he’s doing that a lot more, but I’m always suspicious that how I (and others) feel about the game is compared to what’s actually happening. (Because the human brain is such a great rationalizer, biaser, and whatnot). I have absolutly no statistics to show he’s going to the net more and I don’t know how to even begin approching that research in a time effective manner.
Maybe
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 27, 2012 11:53 AM MST up reply actions
Stastny is an enigma for me. Yes, there were games when he was invisible, but it’s totally his style, he was like this over his career, he is not the player that can turn around the game. It seems that he is doing the same things, he was doing before and they are not working. Why? Was he lucky before or is he unlucky now? Or maybe it’s because game changed, as Altiboobs trying to convince us every night?
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