Chicks and their Polls: That's Cap'n Duke to you

Now whether or not you want to say the Avalanche are free-falling right now, you have to admit the frustration is mounting. There are moments when the team looks like a contender, and other times when they induce flashbacks of last year akin to a bad acid trip. The team is clearly struggling, but struggling with what? Is it talent level? Is it coaching? Is it identity? Or is it cohesiveness, the kind that comes from having a clear cut leader?

Just over 7 weeks into the season, the Avalanche have named Milan Hejduk the captain. Will the floundering team be righted by finally having that official leader? Or are the problems the team is facing too great to be influenced simply by putting a C on someone's jersey?