We shouldn't downplay the loss of Galiardi and Winnik. They will be missed, on the ice and in the dressing room.

Luckily we got a good player in return.

Here's hoping that San Jose wins the cup this year--I'd really like to see it work out for Gali and Winnik.
- BraxtanFILM

Galiardi was going to be scratched.. On the McGinn and taking penalties.. His numbers as far as the penalties he draws vs penalties he takes are actually pretty good. That was discussed on MHH.

This year he is pretty close to even.. All other years he has been positive besides his rookie year. Apparently the sharks other two on the 3rd line have been pretty atrocious.

That being said add in the other things he does on the ice plus productions vs the other two we lost. It's a good trade for us.

PK we still have.. Landeskog, O'Reilly, McC.. Stastny can pk as well when needed. I have a feeling Downie will learn how to be better on the PK as well with the people we have around him. Galiardi was not a huge penalty killer for us and we have the depth to cover Winnik's loss.

Galiardi was going to be scratched.. On the McGinn and taking penalties.. His numbers as far as the penalties he draws vs penalties he takes are actually pretty good. That was discussed on MHH.

This year he is pretty close to even.. All other years he has been positive besides his rookie year. Apparently the sharks other two on the 3rd line have been pretty atrocious.

That being said add in the other things he does on the ice plus productions vs the other two we lost. It's a good trade for us.

PK we still have.. Landeskog, O'Reilly, McC.. Stastny can pk as well when needed. I have a feeling Downie will learn how to be better on the PK as well with the people we have around him. Galiardi was not a huge penalty killer for us and we have the depth to cover Winnik's loss.
- Steve-B

Kobasew will move up and take Winnik's spot on the PK and the Avs should have O'Reilly and Landesog as a PK pairing along with Olver, Downie, McGinn, McLeod to play killing roles along with Jones and Stastny.

Avs' first unit might take a small hit but that's about it.

Hope Wilson continues his strong play. Honestly, the defense is a lot better when he's playing well.

Kobasew will move up and take Winnik's spot on the PK and the Avs should have O'Reilly and Landesog as a PK pairing along with Olver, Downie, McGinn, McLeod to play killing roles along with Jones and Stastny.

Avs' first unit might take a small hit but that's about it.

Hope Wilson continues his strong play. Honestly, the defense is a lot better when he's playing well.
- martok2309

I think Wilson being a little more sure of his place in the lineup moving forward in the year should help his confidence a little. I would say for the most part he has brought it.. I can understand not being tip top after an injury but after a couple games he is bringing it again.

Got to love it when he is on his game. Even puts up points on occasion.

(I love that Kobasew is making me eat crow lately with his play. Lets hope he keeps it up.)

Am I the only person who sees the Mc4th line combo?

Olver - Duchene - Mueller
Jones - Stastny - Hejduk
Landeskog - O'Reilly - Downie
McLeod - McClemment - McGinn

Maybe switch Jones and Olver to mix up the size and don't have one line to get bullied but it looks nice. 3 Solid offensive lines

oops missed Mussick's post

I like the combo though

And another case of the avs trading away a guy that wanted too much cash, preliminary discussions between the avs and Winnik were way off. Winnik wanted 4M (Joel Ward style) Avs were offering 1.3

I am pretty happy and impressed at what we did in the last week.

Out
Quincy
Winnik
Galiardi
7th Rounder

In
Downie
McGinn
Sgarbossa
Connolly

We got Tougher, Deeper, & Added more Forward Prospects.
End of the day we addressed a need now and a need for the future without Giving up too much. I will miss TJ but Downie is the player we all wanted TJ to become.

Kind of hope somehow we can match up with the Sharks in the first round. That could be an entertaining series

I am pretty happy and impressed at what we did in the last week.

Out
Quincy
Winnik
Galiardi
7th Rounder

In
Downie
McGinn
Sgarbossa
Connolly

We got Tougher, Deeper, & Added more Forward Prospects.
End of the day we addressed a need now and a need for the future without Giving up too much. I will miss TJ but Downie is the player we all wanted TJ to become.

Kind of hope somehow we can match up with the Sharks in the first round. That could be an entertaining series
- DDM-Coga

Haha yeah that would be nuts.. But unless SJ has gotten the kick in the pants they need. It will be a battle for them to stay up in the 3rd spot. You could end up seeing a 3rd or bust thing like what is going on in the East.

I am pretty happy and impressed at what we did in the last week.

Out
Quincy
Winnik
Galiardi
7th Rounder

In
Downie
McGinn
Sgarbossa
Connolly

We got Tougher, Deeper, & Added more Forward Prospects.
End of the day we addressed a need now and a need for the future without Giving up too much. I will miss TJ but Downie is the player we all wanted TJ to become.

Kind of hope somehow we can match up with the Sharks in the first round. That could be an entertaining series
- DDM-Coga

If you look at not compared to 2 years ago Sherman has done such an AMAZING job.

Fans freak out because he takes large risks, but honestly I am happy we have a GM with the balls to do what has to be done.
I also get that fans dislike it when we trade away our players that we have grown to love but every trade that has been criticized has turned out great for us!

I mean you can already see EJ for stewart was a flat out steal. And people said the Varly deal was overpriced because people assumed it was a lottery pick when atm its looking to only be a pick from 15-20. Wait and see what teams give up for bernier and Schneider.

Sherman is a GM that can bring us a cup

If you look at not compared to 2 years ago Sherman has done such an AMAZING job.

Fans freak out because he takes large risks, but honestly I am happy we have a GM with the balls to do what has to be done.
I also get that fans dislike it when we trade away our players that we have grown to love but every trade that has been criticized has turned out great for us!

I mean you can already see EJ for stewart was a flat out steal. And people said the Varly deal was overpriced because people assumed it was a lottery pick when atm its looking to only be a pick from 15-20. Wait and see what teams give up for bernier and Schneider.

Sherman is a GM that can bring us a cup
- Meeqsb

I am starting to believe this as well. Based on seeing Sakic talk about evaluating talent when he was on with Mcnabb.. I am thinking Sherm is the cap architect and Sakic is the talent evaluation part.

Obviously Sakic and Sherman are making a great team. With the past trades you have to wonder how much they actually see in McGinn.. The kid could be a top 6 power forward in their mind. Considering they take longer to develop. Who knows at this point with how well our franchise has been when it comes to talent evaluation. Even if he is not he will be a great 3rd liner just the way he is.

I am pretty happy and impressed at what we did in the last week.

Out
Quincy
Winnik
Galiardi
7th Rounder

In
Downie
McGinn
Sgarbossa
Connolly

We got Tougher, Deeper, & Added more Forward Prospects.
End of the day we addressed a need now and a need for the future without Giving up too much. I will miss TJ but Downie is the player we all wanted TJ to become.

Kind of hope somehow we can match up with the Sharks in the first round. That could be an entertaining series
- DDM-Coga

Sheeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiit. I'd be thrilled to see the Avs matched up with ANY team in the first round!

McGinn was one of San Jose's best players against us in the playoffs last year I thought. I noticed him a lot in pre season this year and every time I saw him play kept thinking there was a lot to this guy and what a great pick up he'd be.

So congrats to Avs. With your record of trades we can expect McGinn to finish with between 25-30 goals this year now

I am starting to believe this as well. Based on seeing Sakic talk about evaluating talent when he was on with Mcnabb.. I am thinking Sherm is the cap architect and Sakic is the talent evaluation part.

Obviously Sakic and Sherman are making a great team. With the past trades you have to wonder how much they actually see in McGinn.. The kid could be a top 6 power forward in their mind. Considering they take longer to develop. Who knows at this point with how well our franchise has been when it comes to talent evaluation. Even if he is not he will be a great 3rd liner just the way he is.
- Steve-B

You cant forget about Billington, I think the guy has an eye for talent and is the reason we have been so successful with our drafting lately.

And one more time bc I effing love this trade...DOWNIE

I am starting to believe this as well. Based on seeing Sakic talk about evaluating talent when he was on with Mcnabb.. I am thinking Sherm is the cap architect and Sakic is the talent evaluation part.

Obviously Sakic and Sherman are making a great team. With the past trades you have to wonder how much they actually see in McGinn.. The kid could be a top 6 power forward in their mind. Considering they take longer to develop. Who knows at this point with how well our franchise has been when it comes to talent evaluation. Even if he is not he will be a great 3rd liner just the way he is.
- Steve-B

He was brought in to give is the physical element that winnik and galli couldnt. They want to make this team as hard to play against as possible. I am talking about boston style

He was brought in to give is the physical element that winnik and galli couldnt. They want to make this team as hard to play against as possible. I am talking about boston style
- Meeqsb

When you guys like Downie, McGinn, O'Brien, and with EJ showing a bit of a mean streak now, it allows for our more skilled guys to have room to work when you have those buzzsaws on the ice. Even Landy being out there as a hitting machine.

I like the presumed identity we are trying to build. Just miserable to play against but still have our core skilled guys to burn you after you are off your game. Basically Old time hockey.

When Kobes and Hunwick are playing well you know poop just got real! Avs for the playoffs!

When Kobes and Hunwick are playing well you know poop just got real! Avs for the playoffs!
- Meeqsb

And Varly with another strong game. Liking that is he starting to get hot at the right time, and you have Giggy to back him up, not a bad time for us Avs fans

When Kobes and Hunwick are playing well you know poop just got real! Avs for the playoffs!
- Meeqsb

Sit down for this stat: Avs are 9-4-2 with Hunwick in the lineup

Sit down for this stat: Avs are 9-4-2 with Hunwick in the lineup
- martok2309

Yeah what a soldier.. If Hunwick continues this I can see the Avs resigning him and having a serious log jam at D again next year. With 3 possibly 4 D prospects fighting to crack the roster(Barrie, Elliott, Siemens, Gaunce). Especially if we go after a serious No.2 like Suter or someone else. That is 7 D plus 4 prospects..

I think Elliott goes down when O'Byrne comes back. We are not hurting as much for offense with the new acquisitions. The kid needs at least 10-15lbs added to his frame. I cannot say he has been bad but you can see that he is feeling beat up.

I cannot remember.. How long was O'B suppose to be out? I wonder if he makes Saturday vs the Pens. We could use that pair of him and Hejda against that offense if they are going to continue to play the way they were before he went down.

Yeah what a soldier.. If Hunwick continues this I can see the Avs resigning him and having a serious log jam at D again next year. With 3 possibly 4 D prospects fighting to crack the roster(Barrie, Elliott, Siemens, Gaunce). Especially if we go after a serious No.2 like Suter or someone else. That is 7 D plus 4 prospects..

I think Elliott goes down when O'Byrne comes back. We are not hurting as much for offense with the new acquisitions. The kid needs at least 10-15lbs added to his frame. I cannot say he has been bad but you can see that he is feeling beat up.

I cannot remember.. How long was O'B suppose to be out? I wonder if he makes Saturday vs the Pens. We could use that pair of him and Hejda against that offense if they are going to continue to play the way they were before he went down.
- Steve-B

Elliott had some great moves in this game though. If he's down because the Avs are just too good that's fine. If he's down just to get him experience, that's I'm not okay with.

O'Byrne is supposed to be out 2-3 weeks so we have 5-6 games to make this decision.

Yeah what a soldier.. If Hunwick continues this I can see the Avs resigning him and having a serious log jam at D again next year. With 3 possibly 4 D prospects fighting to crack the roster(Barrie, Elliott, Siemens, Gaunce). Especially if we go after a serious No.2 like Suter or someone else. That is 7 D plus 4 prospects..

I think Elliott goes down when O'Byrne comes back. We are not hurting as much for offense with the new acquisitions. The kid needs at least 10-15lbs added to his frame. I cannot say he has been bad but you can see that he is feeling beat up.

I cannot remember.. How long was O'B suppose to be out? I wonder if he makes Saturday vs the Pens. We could use that pair of him and Hejda against that offense if they are going to continue to play the way they were before he went down.
- Steve-B

Siemens doesnt turn 19 until September 2012 - so the AVS can send him back to Junior - which is probably the thing to do with a YOUNG Dman - let him play at the World Junior Championship Tourni to gain even more confidence ! ! and I dont see Gaunce making the team next year either, but thats ok, more seasoning and ice time for him at LE - besides, injuries will happen and he will/shall get called up at some point next year.

Siemens doesnt turn 19 until September 2012 - so the AVS can send him back to Junior - which is probably the thing to do with a YOUNG Dman - let him play at the World Junior Championship Tourni to gain even more confidence ! ! and I dont see Gaunce making the team next year either, but thats ok, more seasoning and ice time for him at LE - besides, injuries will happen and he will/shall get called up at some point next year.
- 10baci

That is why I said 3-4.. You never know with a guy like Siemens.. Still have Barrie, Elliott, Gaunce..

I agree when it comes to Elliott for the most part if your talking about learning curve and skill. Right now with Hunwick playing well. I cannot see him staying when O'Byrne is back. Management obviously does not want him sitting in the press box. The kid is obviously being beat up at the NHL level and that can hurt your confidence quite a bit.

He has not been shooting nearly as much as when he first came up either.