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Sakic's To Do List

As an avid fan of the Avalanche and hockey in general, I am surprised to admit this but my interest in the playoffs is not exactly bursting forth at the moment. It may be that I am halfway around the world right now and getting up at 4 am to watch Anaheim and Winnipeg, or Tampa Bay & Detroit isn't reason enough to leave the cozy confines of my bed. Actually the match-ups don't really have anything to do with it. I can't think of a single series that doesn't have some intrigue to it. It really has to do with the fact that is 4 am. That the internet here is lousier than Kyle Quincy's attempt to play defense. And that the Avs don't have a dress for the prom this year. So as the fight for Lord Stanley's Cup pushes forward, my interest lies in what will happen in the Summer months, and what direction Joe and Patrick decide to wander. So what are the five most important things to put this team back to where they were a year ago? To put this team in contention for years to come?


Without further delay


No. 5 - 3rd & 4th Line Depth


Fireworks!!! Well, not exactly. Its far from being the sexiest topic that made the list, but in an era where every team is rolling four lines it is imperative to have guys that give you an edge.


Do you remember that awful home and home series to start the year off with the Wild? It was like pouring salt on an open wound after the playoff series the previous April. Well during that goalless weekend Colorado's bottom six looked something like this.


McGinn-Briere-Everberg

McCleod-Cliche-Talbot


An unknown, A veteran on his last leg, a season lost to injury and then a whole lot of blaaaaah. At the time John Mitchell was dealing with post concussion issues and missed the first four games. Although his insertion into the line-up did not influence the teams results he was definitely and upgrade over Briere/Cliche.


By December when things started to even out and the team began putting multiple wins together(I believe they were the second last team to win back to back games, the Sabres being the last to do so) McGinn was done for the year and the mix of bottom six forwards included Borna Rendulic and many of the players listed above. Again John Mitchell was in and out of the line-up.


As the season came to a close the Avs were easily playing their best hockey. Though dealing with a few high profile injuries the team had finally gelled into a cohesive unit. Mitchell had been moved up to the top six to fill the void left by McKinnon, leaving the bottom six a whole lot younger.


McLeod-Cliche-Everberg

Hamilton-Hishon-Caron


In no way am I going to try to say this group is one of the reasons the Avs had a strong finish to the season. I think the fact that Varly was finally healthy, and players like Landeskog and O'Reilly found their offensive touch amounts to the biggest portion of the teams success. The nice thing was that we did get to see some of these young guys in action. And the fact is a few of them can play at this level. So where do we go from here? What do we have to work with and what elements to we have to barter for out there on the open market?


The List


McGinn

Mitchell

McLeod

Bordeleau

Winchester

Cliche

Hamilton(RFA)

Rendulic

Everberg

Caron(RFA)

Hishon(RFA)


And I will throw Ben Street, Thomas Vincour(RFA), and Andrew Aggozino in there as well.


Everberg, in my opinion had the best season out of any of players listed, except for Mitchell. He was a depth signing last offseason who was not supposed to make the team out of camp. However, he impressed enough to get a shot and showed that if needed he could play up and down the lineup. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury in April and is listed as being out for 6-8 months, so we will remove him from the list for the time being. That leaves 13 current players in the running for 6 positions.


The Locks


McGinn - The guy can shoot the puck. He might have the heaviest shot on the team. He can't create offense by himself, but if he has someone to get him the puck, WATCH OUT!! I always liked him paired with Duchene, they definitely had some chemistry two years ago. The only issue is that back of his.


Mitchell - He can play up and down the lineup if needed. He has a great set of hands and if he could put it all together he could be a 20 goal scorer. At this point in his career he has settled into a dependable 10 & 20 guy. In my opinion he is a third line center on most teams and at worst a 4th line center.


McLeod - I put him on here mainly because of his contract. He has three more years after signing an extension this past season. His play seemed to fall off this year and as the league continues to distance itself from fighting his role has less and less value. He finished 7th in hits this past year in the league so it would be wrong to say he has no value. I can live with him being a 7-10 minute guy.


Bubble Veterans


Bordeleau - Exhibit A. Brian McGratton. If the most feared and respected fighter in the league can't hold down a roster spot is there room for any goon? People will say that Bordy creates space, but can you afford to have a one dimensional player on your team? I can't see any reason to have him on the opening day roster next year.


Marc-Andre Cliche - I Must say I have never really been a fan of his. Roy seems to like him and trust him and as Roy has reign over nearly all player personnel moves Cliche has remained in Colorado. If he plays 7-9 mins, mostly on the PK, and nothing more I can stand him. It is when he has to play up on the third line that we are in trouble. I think he starts on the roster but gets forced out.


Jesse Winchester - It's a shame we did not get to see him play this year. Concussions aren't something you want to play with, but I hope for his sake he gets healthy this summer and can have an an honest shot at making the 4th line. I'd rather see him taking those faceoffs than Cliche.


The RFA's


Freddie Hamilton - Hamilton is the youngest of the 4 RFA's listed above. He received a rather lengthy audition at the end of the season playing 17 games. His stat line is filled with zeros which amounts to not a lot of production, but I think he gets resigned and is one of the early call ups when injuries start piling up.


Jordan Caron - First round pick. Team Canada World junior member. Good size. Jordan has a lot of good things going for him, but it adds up to a whole lot of nothing. In Boston people were always waiting for him to take a step. Any step. Their frustration finally overtook their hopefulness and now he is Patrick's problem, if he wants him. At 24 he is only a year older than Hishon, but I would rather see what Joey can do and cut bait with Caron.


Joey Hishon - I like Hishon the most because he is the most skilled and in the end that is what I think we have been missing in the bottom 6. Pure skill. He's got it and he needs to be given a shot.


Thomas Vincour - Though the sample size is small I have enjoyed what I have witnessed in Thomas' game. He again is on the list with Freddie to be one of the first call ups.


The Rest


As this is 'The Rest' section I will lump the rest together. Rendulic, Aggozino, and Street are depth guys that should start in San Antonio. I have followed Street since his cup of coffee with the Flames and think that he could fill that 13th forward spot. He is in his late twenties so it won't stunt his development to be sitting in the press box for weeks at a time.


McGinn- Mitchell-_________

_______-Winchester-Hishon

13th-Street/Cliche


That's what I would like to see. Ideally it would be great if the Avs could grab 2 depth guys via free agency. So here's my wish list:


3rd line winger - There are a few former Avs in this group that will give the Avs third line depth they missed this past year.


Thomas Fleischmann - He spent 22 games with this franchise back in 2010-2011. He picked up 21 points in that time before a blood clot interrupted what could have been a career year. He has had a couple of off years which could lower his asking salary. 3 years at 3 per interests me.


Chris Stewart - Chris was developing into a perennial twenty goal scorer when he left Colorado in the Erik Johnson trade. He too has had a couple of off years, but a reunion with the team that drafted him 18th overall back in 2006 might shake out the inconsistencies in his game. And having a fellow power forward to look-up to in Jarome Iginla wouldn't hurt either. I see this being a yearly salary of no less than 4 million per. If you can pull the trigger at 16 million over 4 years it might be worth pulling the trigger.


Carl Soderberg - The Swede has developed into a reliable two way player. He has averaged about a half a point a game over the past two years. His stats would suggest he is pass first which might help McGinn and his numbers. 3 years 10.5 mil? Because this is a cap world this might be the way to go.


4th line winger - This has to be a budget position and if the price tag crawls up above 1-1.5 million a year its best to look within.


There are two guys I like, but I they may both become too rich for the Avs.


Dan Paille - Here is another Boston UFA who has developed into a great roll player. His cap hit this year was 1.3 million. If he agrees to 3 year 4.5 it would be an excellent signing.


Jay Beagle - This is the guy that stands out to me. If you remember a few years ago when Dale Hunter was coaching in Washington Beagle was playing more minutes than Ovechkin. It's a nugget of information for us trivia buffs but it also demonstrates that he can play a bigger role if needed. The man can play and it is always great when you have guys who can move up your line if needed(Something we lacked this past year).


McGinn-Mitchel-Soderberg

Beagle-Winchester-Hishon

13th-Street/Cliche


With these six and Everberg to hit the ice in November/December the depth is no longer a question but a key cog that will help the Avs compete with the beasts of the Central.

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