Colorado Avalanche Projected Lineup And Salary Cap Situation
Apr 17, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Part 2 of our Colorado Avalanche Preview looks at a projected opening night lineup as well as their salary cap situation.
FORWARDS
Gabriel Landeskog – Matt Duchene – Nathan MacKinnon
Jarome Iginla – Ryan O’Reilly – Alex Tanguay
Jamie McGinn – John Mitchell – Daniel Briere
Marc-Andre Cliche – Maxime Talbot – Cody McLeod
EXTRAS: Patrick Bordeleau, Jesse Winchester
The loss of Paul Stastny will be felt, but they are still strong up the middle and have a lot of options. They can play MacKinnon on the wing or up the middle and move O’Reilly down the lineup, or shift him to the wing as well when needed. The veteran experience of Iginla and Briere will help in the leadership department and if they can get anything out of Tanguay it will be a bonus. They have added a lot of salary through signings, trades and internal raises to the point where the 14 forwards account for over $41.5M in cap space.
Apr 10, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) checks Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian (9) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSEMEN
EXTRAS: Zach Redmond, Nate Guenin
This is still largely a no-name group and you won’t find any of these blueliners in the Norris Trophy conversation. Barrie made a bit of a name for himself last season coming out of nowhere, while Johnson will probably never live up to being a first overall pick but is solid if not spectacular. The Avs have just over $17.5M committed to its blue line.
Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) defends his net against the Minnesota Wild in the second period during game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
GOALTENDERS
To look behind the bench and see one of the greatest of all time at your position can’t always be easy (ask the old Gretzky-coached Phoenix Coyotes) but it seemed to work for Varlamov, who earned a Vezina Nomination for his efforts. Berra came over at the trade deadline last season and will be the full time backup replacing the retired J.S. Giguere.
Apr 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Joey Hishon (38) is congratulated by left wing Jamie McGinn (11) after scoring against the Minnesota Wild in the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
SYNOPSIS
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The Avalanche were a surprise team last season, the lowest paid club to make the playoffs. They won’t catch anyone by surprise this year, so they are going to have to keep the same level of effort and then some to maintain competitiveness. Ownership has anted up by spending almost to the cap, so they have no excuses.