It's here. The NHL entry draft. The much anticipated first three picks, and all those after, will soon be determined. On this day, the Avs could be very busy. I still smell a salary dump trade of Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos, just to free up some cap space.

However, if I am Sherman, I find Peabody and have him set the way-back machine to 1996 and see what made the Avs good: Good, young players and an up-beat system. It's something the Avs have lost over the years and need to get back to. No longer can they outskill teams, they'll have to outwork them.

Going into the draft, the Avs need a top six blue chip prospect (It'll be Matt Duchene IMO), a goalie (Mikko Kosikenen would be great), a couple of defensive forwards with faceoff ability and a real shutdown defenseman or, if nothing else a bruiser (Taylor Doherty).

I think the Avs will pick up at least another second rounder, maybe another late first rounder. The rebuild officially starts at 5:00. Let's see what Sherman can do.

I will be live blogging through here, assuming the server doesn't break down like it did at the trade deadline and will be chatting at thegoalieguild.com if you would like to come join me. I'll be there under my moniker, Avalangelist.

In a little over 10 hours, the draft will have begun and all the questions concerning the top three picks, trades and the other picks in this year's draft, will be answered.

All I know is that when Bettman walks up to the podium and announces "We have a trade to report", I'll be holding my breath.

Special note I've been reading the Denver Post boards and from the sound of it, you'd think we were the Indianapolis Racers. Sheesh, take a look at this one post:

Cost Cutting mode A.D.? What is that? How about trading some salary and replacing these BUM players with some real talent FREE AGENTS that are out there this year! This team is a JOKE and always will be from now on!! Joe Sacco is the best they could go out and get, come on! And Sherman is the G.M. wonderful!! I would definintely try and trade Liles , Svatos, Wolski, Clark, Salei, Foote, Hannan, and I would even try and trade Stastny(Giguere overpaid for MR. GLASSMAN) !!!! I would keep Smitty and Hejduk and sign the Sedin twins and Camalleri and I would bring back Tanguay!! Then I sign Manny Fernandez as my goalie and add a couple D men on the cheap!! IT WON’T HAPPEN BECAUSE WE WENT FROM ONE BEAN COUNTER TO ANOTHER AND ONE BAD COACH TO ANOTHER!!!! ANOTHER LOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG SEASON AHEAD WITH NO HOPE WHATSOEVER!! I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME NORDS/AVS FAN BUT WE ARE IN A SAD SAD SAD STATE AND IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THEY WILL TURN THIS AROUND FOR A LONG LONG LONG TIME FOLKS!!!! AS FOR SAKIC PLEASE RETIRE WE DON’T NEED TO SPEND 6 MILLION DOLLARS ON A 40 YEAR OLD WASHED UP CENTER!!! SIGN HIM FOR 1 OR 2 MILLION FINE OTHERWISE MOVE ON!!! THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN THIS MESS, SIGNING OLD AVS PLAYERS FOR BIG MONEY AND GETTING BURNED!!! OUR RECORD NEXT SEASON 28-46-8 LAST IN THE NHL!!!!

What a load of bull. First of all, capitalizing that man words just makes you sound like a guy on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. Second, Stastny is not a "glassman". If we acquired a real killer and goaltender, he wouldn't be blocking shots with his forearm. Stastny's got terrible blocking technique. Second, Sherman has majors in accounting, Giguere had a masters in Administration, totally different. Don't chastise the man when he doesn't have a record to chastise (yet). Reading this, I feel a little embarrassed to be an Avs fan, to tell you the truth.

Enough with the crazy Avs fans filled with negativity, I'm excited for this years draft!

But for now, here's something for your viewing pleasure:


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