The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - August 26th, 2013

David Koci will soon be able to say

David Koci has semi-retired of a hockey. His contract in Czech Republic expired and he has decided to take a new role. He will be an assistant coach of U18 category for the same team that he had represented over the last two years. Also, he becomes a scout for all junior teams of the organization. Thirdly and finally, if the first senior team would need him in an action in the top league, he is ready to take his jersey again.

"There was a question for me what will be next with my career. I would like to do coaching in the future, but the playing on the ice still attracts me. When we have reached some scenarios with the team, I took a time for thinking and decided to accept this offer. I am very happy for staying in Sparta.

Globe and Mail thinks that another Avalanche player could make an impact on Team Canada.

10. P.A. Parenteau

Like Dupuis, Parenteau broke out thanks to the contributions of a star centre. But in his first season with the Colorado Avalanche, Parenteau had 43 points in 48 games without the aid of John Tavares. He’s a dark-horse pick, but given that a lack of goals was Canada’s biggest downfall on the international ice surface in Turin in 2010, Parenteau could be a specialty 14th forward in Sochi if the offence needs a spark.

Starting defence
Ron Hainsey, Filip Kuba: It has been suggested that the aggressive tone Hainsey reportedly took with management during the lockout is one reason why the 32-year-old is still without a contract. Hainsey logged an average of 23 minutes a game with the Winnipeg Jets last season, third most on the team among defencemen. Greg Wyshynski, of the Yahoo! blog Puck Daddy, put the question to Hainsey’s agent, Matt Keator: “We’ve had no conversations about that at all.” Kuba, 36, played in 44 games with the Florida Panthers last year, and logged more than 21 minutes a night.

(Also available: Ian White, Ryan Whitney, Hal Gill)