The NHL roster freeze unfroze on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche went right to work... sort of. The team announced that they re-signed forward Kiefer Sherwood to a one-year deal following a season in which he appeared in just 16 regular season games collecting three assists.

Sherwood is an energy guy that likes to throw the body around. Despite his limited play he was among the Avs most efficient hitters. He adss much needed depth to the squad. I saw him play for both the San Diego Gulls and Anaheim Ducks and he was always noticeable when he was on the ice.

Anyway, sold depth move for Sakic and company, but they still has some pretty big fish to fry.

The talks between the Avs and Gabriel Landeskog are at a crossroads, Meanwhile other teams are positioning themselves to sign away Colorado's captain. Don't forget the team also has to re-sign RFA Cale Makar and UFA Philipp Grubauer.

Summertime shopping for replacements for a presence like Landeskog and goalie like Grubauer will not be easy. Despite all the cap space, Sakic and the Avs appear to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I fully expect the heat to get cranked up over the next week or so. It's time for Sakic to pony up his best offer or Gabe is a goner.

***

There is some good news though.... the Avs will return to the Central Division and play a full 82-game season in 2021-22!

Colorado opens the season Wednesday, Oct. 13 against the Chicago Blackhawks at Ball Arena. That's just one of many notable dates on the new schedule. The Avs have started a season at home in six of the last seven seasons.

Another exciting piece of info is that The Avs will play 26 games against their division and not the entire season! It also includes schedule includes a break in February for the NHL All-Star Game and 2022 Winter Olympics! Hurrah for variety!

Other games of note:

- Oct. 26 vs Vegas
- Nov. 19 @ Seattle - 1st meeting ever
- Dec. 18 vs Tampa Bay
- Jan. 10 vs Seattle - 1st visit to Colorado
- 16 games in January
- Only 3 games in Feb, because of a two-2 week Olympic break.
- Regular season ends on Apr. 29 with back-to-back games on 4/28 & 4/29.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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