Around The NHL in 30 Days: Colorado Avalanche
The Fansided NHL Network, that SenShot is proud to be a member of, is embarking on its NHL preview. Each day in September, one of its members will be posting a preview for their club. SenShot will look at their preview, and let you have a look. After that, we will provide our own perspective. Jared will handle the Western Conference teams while Tony will look at the East.
The Colorado Avalanche are coming off a disappointing year. They couldn’t get traction in the standings and didn’t get the goaltending from Craig Anderson and the lack of success resulted in a number of changes to the roster. Gone from the roster that opened the last season are stalwarts Anderson, Chris Stewart, John-Michael Liles and Kevin Shattenkirk. Additions to the club include Semyon Varlamov, JS Giguere, Jan Hejda, Erik Johnson, Jay McLement and top draft pick Gabriel Landeskog.
Here is what Mile High Sticking has to say about the Avalanche’s upcoming season:
"What Happened Last Year:30-44-8 68 points4th in Northwest14th in WestLast season was the worst season in Avalanche franchise history, and that is not figuratively it is 100% literal. The Avalanche in 2010-11 posted the fewest total points in franchise history thanks in large part to a disgraceful second half of the season, which saw them win rarely during the final four months of the season. The Avs had no business not being the worst team in hockey last year, but they are lucky enough to not only be in the same conference as Edmonton they are in the same division as well. Allowing them to avoid last place in the NW. Yet despite the fact I have completely ripped my team a new one I wouldn’t change a thing about last season. Why? Gabriel Landeskog.Welcome to the Mile High city (Acquisitions):Shane O’BrienChuck KobasewSemyon VarlamovJean Sebastian GiguereJan HejdaJoakim LindstromGabriel Landeskog (draft)You can read the rest of the preview HERE"
As for my take on the Avs, they are an up and coming team, but they might be a couple of years away from playoff contention. They will be solid up the middle for years, with Stastny, Duchene, McLement and O’Reilly. Younger wingers need to develop some consistency but the likes of Brandon Yip, David Jones and Daniel Winnick have shown flashes of excellence. One of the biggest factors to a Colorado resurgence might be the return of Peter Mueller, who missed the entire 2010-11 season with post concussion symptoms, could be good to go this season. He is a potential point per game player and might just be the most talented member of the Avalanche.
Varlamov and Giguere give them a decent 1-2 punch in the net, and Erik Johnson could be ready for a breakout season on the blue line. The Avalanche will be really good in a couple of years, and they might even be in the mix for a playoff spot this season, but I don’t think they will. Not this year.
**Don’t forget to buy your Tickets for SenShot’s Alfie Night in Ottawa on November 11th, 2011. Click here for more details. Early bird tickets will be on sale until this Friday**
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for reading and as always, comments are welcomed.
Can’t get enough of SenShot? Here are more ways to get the most info about your Ottawa Senators.
You can follow us on Twitter: Tony @13thforward, Jared @alfieisgod, Derrick @DerrickvonBrose and Brandy @brandychadala.
Visit our SenShot Facebook Page. Like us and post comments, photos and videos.
Please visit our NHL Main Page: Too Many Men On The Site.