Next up in my previews of Northwest Division teams is the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado made a big splash in the free agent market signing mulletboy Ryan Smyth to a huge ass contract, but it's my opinion that this really didn't address their needs. Colorado can score in bunches, that's not the problem. The problem is on the back line and sometimes in the goal. On defense it's pretty much John Michael-Liles and little else(*). Goaltender Peter Budaj can be spectacular at times, but often gets barraged by far too many shots for a good goalie to handle. And on top of all that, Joe Sakic's a year older and is bound to wear down at some point also, at least Wild fans can hope.
Overall, I don't think the Avs have improved significantly, so I project them to finish anywhere from 8th to 12th in the conference.
(*) And no, I didn't forget Jordan Leopold.
5 comments:
Did you forget about tier 2 mullet boy and free agent signing Scott Hannan? I'd say that's an improvement on the blue line.j
You have exposed my lack of research on this "Division Preview" project, Taper. Hannan's a stud.
Joe Sakic is still a god. I predict he will single handedly kick our asses for at least one more season.
The Avs were one point short of the playoffs last season, after a huge second half. Did they get one point better with Smyth, Hannan and the return of Leopold?
I think they did. But at who's expense will they make the playoffs?
The NW will be an absolute dogfight this year.
Nick - They would have been three out if the Flames hadn't made it already. They had nothing to play for with the 8th playoff slot secure. I think they will be getting the boot from the playoff race. No way four teams from the northwest make it.
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