Fewer preseason games, more intensity?
The Avalanche attributed much of their poor start in 2014-15 to a lack of passion in the preseason, when they lost seven of eight games and were especially inept on offense.
"Definitely, everybody that was on this team at the start of the season, we're all going to know for the rest of our careers that if you're not ready when that puck drops for the first game of the season -- even training camp or preseason -- it's hard to turn it on midway," captain Gabriel Landeskog said after the Avalanche missed the playoffs.
The Avalanche went 1-5-2 in the preseason, the lone win coming in the finale against Los Angeles in Las Vegas.
I doubt it's a coincidence, but Colorado will cut back and limit the 2015-16 preseason schedule to six games -- three at home, two on the road and the annual "Frozen Fury" game with the Kings at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
The sale date for preseason tickets will be announced at a later time.
The Avalanche will open preseason play on Tuesday, Sept. 22 against Anaheim at the Pepsi Center, followed by home games against Calgary on Thursday, Sept. 24 and against Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The Avalanche will play at Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and at Anaheim on Thursday, Oct. 1. They'll meet the Kings in Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 3.