I think the Avs were very smart to not rush fixing the Defense when there really was nothing there. Also choosing Mackinnon as well, I can't stress enough how crazy its going to be to have Duchene, Mackinnon as our 1 2 punches for years to come. I also think Gabe and Mac will play insanely well together (even more so in the playoffs).

Last year our Defense was quoted as "soft, slow, and easy to play against". Sarich is at least rough nosed enough to play hard in his own zone, and Benoit along with Barrie will greatly help our transition game.

Also don't negate the impact a full year of RoR and Downie would bring to helping alleviate some pressure off the defense as well.

I'm VERY excited for this year. Even the losses should be entertaining and fast paced, rather than the last few where even the games where we "won by cycling for 60 min" were dreadful.

Also.......ICEGIRLS!
- Meeqsb

Definitely picking up Center Ice this year. They'll either be fast and exciting, or I'll get to see Roy lose his mind and set the franchise back a decade. Either way, it'll be exciting.

Oh, and all the Pepsi Center needs now is a "Smoking" lounge and I'm going to have to strongly consider moving to Denver...

Definitely picking up Center Ice this year. They'll either be fast and exciting, or I'll get to see Roy lose his mind and set the franchise back a decade. Either way, it'll be exciting.

Oh, and all the Pepsi Center needs now is a "Smoking" lounge and I'm going to have to strongly consider moving to Denver...
- Dissent

Club level has their own balcony...

Welcome, I am glad we have a new Avs blogger...very good blog, as it highlights the major concerns of this team going forward, however I am pretty optomistic we will see a huge improvement in this teams performance and effort.

I think this back end got a lot better through subtraction...Losing O'Bryne at the deadline, Zanon to buyout, O'Brien to trade, and potentially Hunwick to AHL waivers...this team is better. Barrie and Elliott already perform better than those 4 mentioned, and have levels to potentially reach, now they have the ice time and roster spots to do so.

A healthy Johnson and Wilson will be a big boost as well.
- DDM-Coga

Sarich is an underrated player, he can eat tough minutes and minimize the damage pretty well.

Yeah ain't that the truth...

Our defense is better than it was in 11-12 (We finished 11th in team GA), and that defense was Quincey (Half the year?), Johnson, Hejda, Wilson, Hunwick, O'Brien, & O'Byrne.

We lost Quincey, signed Zannon, and O'Byrne decided to lose all semblance of being an NHL defender in the 12-13 season.

So.. Johnson, Barrie, Wilson, Hejda, Benoit, and Sarich should be an improvement as a top 6 group. Especially with proper use and TOI management.

EJ, Barrie, Hejda, and Wilson should be our TOI leaders on defense with a competent coach. Instead of Hunwick & Zannon alternating for the most TOI per game every night.

Benoit gets zero hype, but hes touted by Ottawa as being fairly safe, and actually having a very good amount of mobility, and some or at least more offensive ability than Hunwick...

The biggest problem we'll have is injuries to the left side defense, unless Siemens proves to be ready for at least third pairing minutes. Which so far in camp looks positive.

Wilson really needs to stay fairly healthy.
- Steve-B

Andre Benoit on your third pairing will make your second and third lines look better, for sure.

Sarich is an underrated player, he can eat tough minutes and minimize the damage pretty well.
- TommyDeVito

I do like Sarich as a third pairing guy, you dont feel nervous with him being out there, he might be a bit slower than he once was, but hes a pro and a vet to show some of the young guys hows its done...you didnt get that from O'Brien.

Andre Benoit on your third pairing will make your second and third lines look better, for sure.
- TommyDeVito

I liked that signing, its a safe one...I am sure he was heavily scouted by the Avs since he was signed so quickly on the 1st day...hes the type of under rated guy who could have gone all summer wtihout being signed.

He will get some PP time, 2nd pairing is my guess.

Also whats the deal with Cowen? Any movement there yet?

Two Ryan Wilsons would be a real treat to watch.

Welcome aboard! Looking forward to reading your upcoming blogs.

Two Ryan Wilsons would be a real treat to watch.

Welcome aboard! Looking forward to reading your upcoming blogs.
- NewEraAvs

Two would be good, since I can see us trading one of them with Stastny/O'Reilly as a package for a dman. He has value and that all important roster spot since we already have so many 1 way contracts as it is.

I still think the Leafs should trade us Liles for Hunwick....they will get the roster space since Hunny is AHL bound, and cap space to sign Franson now, and we get a guy we should nave never traded in the first place

Club level has their own balcony...
- Steve-B

Ha--Hate to work from economic stereotypes, but I'm pretty sure the good majority of the denizens of the club level would have absolutely none of my shenanigans.

hmmm thats an interesting thought....dater responded to someones question regarding the Avs offersheeting pietrangelo, I would do it, its a too tempting of a gamble.

If you give him bw 6.7-8.4 a season thats 2 1sts a 2nd and a third. Pretty high price to pay but when we are already planning on trading O'Reilly or Stastny for a dman, you basically still trade one of them to recover your 1st round draft pick loses.

hmmm... leafs have excess d-men and goaltending. Any interest in making a deal? Who would you guys want off our roster?

hmmm... leafs have excess d-men and goaltending. Any interest in making a deal? Who would you guys want off our roster?
- doinktheclown

Read above...Liles for Hunwick straight up. You get cap relief, dump him in the AHL, open up a roster spot, and cap to sign franson

Problem solved.

Read above...Liles for Hunwick straight up. You get cap relief, dump him in the AHL, open up a roster spot, and cap to sign franson

Problem solved.
- DDM-Coga

meh, i agree with the minor benefits ... but, looking for a solution at center.

What's your price for O'Reilly?

meh, i agree with the minor benefits ... but, looking for a solution at center.

What's your price for O'Reilly?
- doinktheclown

Would have to be a young Top 4 dman...Gardiner is my opinion if it were with the leafs. Still too much potential in O'Reilly, could be a constant 55+ point 2 way 2nd line centre for 10 years.

Avs need to get just as much potential back as a stud dman as they are giving up in O'Reilly.

Personally I would like to trade you guys Stastny, retain a lot of his salary to make the cap work.

Stastny/Hunwick + retained Salary for Gunnarsson, Kulemin and maybe a prospect

Would have to be a young Top 4 dman...Gardiner is my opinion if it were with the leafs. Still too much potential in O'Reilly, could be a constant 55+ point 2 way 2nd line centre for 10 years.

Avs need to get just as much potential back as a stud dman as they are giving up in O'Reilly.

Personally I would like to trade you guys Stastny, retain a lot of his salary to make the cap work.

Stastny/Hunwick + retained Salary for Gunnarsson, Kulemin and maybe a prospect
- DDM-Coga

Gardiner straight up for O'Reilly? I don't like it, but that probably means it's not far off from fair value. Both teams address weaknesses, players are about the same age and have additional potential. Need to make it work from a cap perspective, maybe add the Liles for Hunwick trade as a starting point ... though it's probably an offseason trade to be made. My biggest concern is O'Reilly may be done by 28, while gardiner may be an effective player into his mid-30's. Overall, not that far-fetched in my opinion.

Stastny - not interested so much. I think your offer is fair, minus the prospect, but I rather wait to see if he hits the ufa market. Excellent talent, not sure I want to see assets given up for a pending ufa in need of a bounce back season. Maybe pat quinn makes that deal, not nonis. You can keep hunwick.

Gardiner straight up for O'Reilly? I don't like it, but that probably means it's not far off from fair value. Both teams address weaknesses, players are about the same age and have additional potential. Need to make it work from a cap perspective, maybe add the Liles for Hunwick trade as a starting point ... though it's probably an offseason trade to be made. My biggest concern is O'Reilly may be done by 28, while gardiner may be an effective player into his mid-30's. Overall, not that far-fetched in my opinion.

Stastny - not interested so much. I think your offer is fair, minus the prospect, but I rather wait to see if he hits the ufa market. Excellent talent, not sure I want to see assets given up for a pending ufa in need of a bounce back season. Maybe pat quinn makes that deal, not nonis. You can keep hunwick.
- doinktheclown

Hunwick keeps getting thrown into my deals since I would like to get rid of a one way Dman contract. He probably will spend more of his time in the press box or the AHL this season anyways.

But O'Reilly would be a tough trade, we really need to get a young stud prospect back for him, a pure hockey trade, Since they are experimenting him on the wing, I think they plan on keeping him around.

I can see Stastny being pumped up in value by having a productive start of the season and beign traded at the deadline, letting MacKinnon take over 2nd line duties

Hunwick keeps getting thrown into my deals since I would like to get rid of a one way Dman contract. He probably will spend more of his time in the press box or the AHL this season anyways.

But O'Reilly would be a tough trade, we really need to get a young stud prospect back for him, a pure hockey trade, Since they are experimenting him on the wing, I think they plan on keeping him around.

I can see Stastny being pumped up in value by having a productive start of the season and beign traded at the deadline, letting MacKinnon take over 2nd line duties
- DDM-Coga

Agreed - same for the leafs, if Gardiner gets moved, it's a hockey trade for a young player with potential.

yeah - seems to make sense for the avs to hold on to stastny for now, trade value at the deadline could be meaningful if he does bounce back.

Hunwick - you may be throwing him into deals until March.

Agreed - same for the leafs, if Gardiner gets moved, it's a hockey trade for a young player with potential.

yeah - seems to make sense for the avs to hold on to stastny for now, trade value at the deadline could be meaningful if he does bounce back.

Hunwick - you may be throwing him into deals until March.
- doinktheclown

Depending on if O'Reilly adopts to playing Left Wing, and Stastny potentially being ok for less money and 3rd line duties, he might sign an extention too this season, I have no idea what this team is going to do with those 2 guys...one way or another, they have to decided before the trade deadline

You keep onto Gardiner until you guys figure out if Franson was a one year wonder or has progressed to a legit top 4 dman. Also you have the Phaneuf question you need to figure out as well, resign or trade/let him walk. With Reilly is ready and in the mix as well, that could be your Top 4 in 1-2 seasons.

But if Franson and Reilly are big time cogs on the blueline, maybe Gardiner becomes expendable...not unliek O'Reilly, great player, tones of potential, but just wont leap frog Duchene or MacKinnon on the depth chart.

Depending on if O'Reilly adopts to playing Left Wing, and Stastny potentially being ok for less money and 3rd line duties, he might sign an extention too this season, I have no idea what this team is going to do with those 2 guys...one way or another, they have to decided before the trade deadline

You keep onto Gardiner until you guys figure out if Franson was a one year wonder or has progressed to a legit top 4 dman. Also you have the Phaneuf question you need to figure out as well, resign or trade/let him walk. With Reilly is ready and in the mix as well, that could be your Top 4 in 1-2 seasons.

But if Franson and Reilly are big time cogs on the blueline, maybe Gardiner becomes expendable...not unliek O'Reilly, great player, tones of potential, but just wont leap frog Duchene or MacKinnon on the depth chart.
- DDM-Coga

Franson, Liles and a 2nd for O'Reilly

Alright, 2 seconds. You're bending my arm here.

Depending on if O'Reilly adopts to playing Left Wing, and Stastny potentially being ok for less money and 3rd line duties, he might sign an extention too this season, I have no idea what this team is going to do with those 2 guys...one way or another, they have to decided before the trade deadline

You keep onto Gardiner until you guys figure out if Franson was a one year wonder or has progressed to a legit top 4 dman. Also you have the Phaneuf question you need to figure out as well, resign or trade/let him walk. With Reilly is ready and in the mix as well, that could be your Top 4 in 1-2 seasons.

But if Franson and Reilly are big time cogs on the blueline, maybe Gardiner becomes expendable...not unliek O'Reilly, great player, tones of potential, but just wont leap frog Duchene or MacKinnon on the depth chart.
- DDM-Coga

Rielly, Gardiner, Phanuef and Franson top 4 - we'll have 4 defencemen but no defenders. At some point, one or two of those guys will have to go. I don't see a rush to do anything, I just hope nonis does jump on an opportunity when one does come up.

Av's seems like they're in the same boat, between Duchene, Mackinnon, Stastny and O'Reilly,one or two needs to go.

Leafs and Av's could definitely make interesting trading partners.

Franson, Liles and a 2nd for O'Reilly

Alright, 2 seconds. You're bending my arm here.
- UsernameUnknown

I really dont want to move O'Reilly, just based on our luck recently with trades, he would turn into the next Bergeron for sure.

The thought of trading him for a few nice/ok pieces scares me based on how I think he would for sure take the next level in his game after that.

Rielly, Gardiner, Phanuef and Franson top 4 - we'll have 4 defencemen but no defenders. At some point, one or two of those guys will have to go. I don't see a rush to do anything, I just hope nonis does jump on an opportunity when one does come up.

Av's seems like they're in the same boat, between Duchene, Mackinnon, Stastny and O'Reilly,one or two needs to go.

Leafs and Av's could definitely make interesting trading partners.
- doinktheclown

Franson and Gardiner are my guesses of who would be the odd mans out in a few seasons. Reilly seems like he will be the real deal, and Phaneuf, it really is hard to replace the kind of minutes he eats up and the physically edge he does bring. I dont think you can say that about Franson or Gardiner at this moment.

Stastny and O'Reilly are the for sure movable targets...
Duchene and MacKinnon will be our 1-2 punch for the next 10 years, we are all excited about that.

I really dont want to move O'Reilly, just based on our luck recently with trades, he would turn into the next Bergeron for sure.

The thought of trading him for a few nice/ok pieces scares me based on how I think he would for sure take the next level in his game after that.
- DDM-Coga

I don't blame you for wanting to keep him. He's pretty damn good. But you have to give to get, and the only way you can get a good guy on D is to move a good guy somewhere else.
I doubt you can pry Gards away. At least not on HB. Leafs fans think rather highly of him and his potential. But we'd have to keep an eye on both sides and assess the situation at the end of this season. Could be interesting.

Franson and Gardiner are my guesses of who would be the odd mans out in a few seasons. Reilly seems like he will be the real deal, and Phaneuf, it really is hard to replace the kind of minutes he eats up and the physically edge he does bring. I dont think you can say that about Franson or Gardiner at this moment.

Stastny and O'Reilly are the for sure movable targets...
Duchene and MacKinnon will be our 1-2 punch for the next 10 years, we are all excited about that.
- DDM-Coga

I don't think Gardiner is the odd man out, to be honest. Having Rielly and Gardiner both could be good in the top 4, provided they have some defensive-minded D with them. I totally agree with Franson, and as a Leaf fan would love to see him moved at the deadline this year. He doesn't fit the long-term future needs for the Leafs.
Liles is also the odd-man out. But if Franson was to go early, Liles would be the one slotted into his place.

I don't blame you for wanting to keep him. He's pretty damn good. But you have to give to get, and the only way you can get a good guy on D is to move a good guy somewhere else.
I doubt you can pry Gards away. At least not on HB. Leafs fans think rather highly of him and his potential. But we'd have to keep an eye on both sides and assess the situation at the end of this season. Could be interesting.
- UsernameUnknown

Radar is our best trading asset option right now, get a big return without dismantlign the make up of this team. I know he can easily be traded and I am sure I will be fine with it.

IF Sakic and Roy trade the guy, I have faith in their ability to pull off a team that will benefit this team, unlike Sherman who always went for hail marys with his trades.