Oh terrific a guy that didn't start with Ottawa til injuries is now starting against teams top offensive units for the Colorado Avalanche. Good Luck Varlamov!
- AvsFanYeaa

Benoit has played very well this preseason and Roy likes the pairing of him and Johnson. He hasnt looked out of place so far. I think its a nice signing and find for the Avs, offensive instancts and pretty defensively responsible from what we have seen in the first couple of pre-season games.

Oh terrific a guy that didn't start with Ottawa til injuries is now starting against teams top offensive units for the Colorado Avalanche. Good Luck Varlamov!
- AvsFanYeaa

The same could be said about Barrie. The only difference is he didn't start with a worse Colorado team till injuries hit. So apparently that means he's worse than Benoit. And don't forget about that Parenteau guy. He wasn't a regular in the NHL until he was 27 and as we all know, forwards don't take as long as defensemen to develop so he's never going to amount to anything either.

The same could be said about Barrie. The only difference is he didn't start with a worse Colorado team till injuries hit. So apparently that means he's worse than Benoit. And don't forget about that Parenteau guy. He wasn't a regular in the NHL until he was 27 and as we all know, forwards don't take as long as defensemen to develop so he's never going to amount to anything either.
- westonie

Based on when he joined, I think thats someones Troll account, no real Avs fan who follows the team would be so narrow minded about that.

especially since he typed out Colorado Avalanche as a whole, seems wierd for an Avs fan to mention his team like that, then following up with a Varlamov instead of a Varly...

Oh terrific a guy that didn't start with Ottawa til injuries is now starting against teams top offensive units for the Colorado Avalanche. Good Luck Varlamov!
- AvsFanYeaa

Based on when he joined, I think thats someones Troll account, no real Avs fan who follows the team would be so narrow minded about that.

especially since he typed out Colorado Avalanche as a whole, seems wierd for an Avs fan to mention his team like that, then following up with a Varlamov instead of a Varly...
- DDM-Coga

good points...very suspicious...

Based on when he joined, I think thats someones Troll account, no real Avs fan who follows the team would be so narrow minded about that.

especially since he typed out Colorado Avalanche as a whole, seems wierd for an Avs fan to mention his team like that, then following up with a Varlamov instead of a Varly...
- DDM-Coga

Lol good eye, Inspector. But seriously true. Can't remember the time I didn't use short form for the Avs or Varly. I just want the season to start man! Let's do this boys!

Based on when he joined, I think thats someones Troll account, no real Avs fan who follows the team would be so narrow minded about that.

especially since he typed out Colorado Avalanche as a whole, seems wierd for an Avs fan to mention his team like that, then following up with a Varlamov instead of a Varly...
- DDM-Coga

Narrow minded perhaps, but are you seriously highly optimistic about a combo of Johnson-Benoit shutting down lines like Parise-Koivu-Pominville, Saad-Toews-Hossa, Getzlaf-Perry-whomever, sedin sisters-kesler, those damn speedy oilers along with a bunch of east coasters?

FYI I don't typically use nicknames for people that i do not know personally since that is sort of the nature of them...Also, where I am if I say Avs no one has a damn clue what that is so I say and apparently type the entire thing out.

Narrow minded perhaps. But are you seriously highly optimistic about a combo of Johnson-Benoit shutting down lines like Parise-Koivu-Pominville, Saad-Toews-Hossa, Getzlaf-Perry-whomever, sedin sister-kesler, those damn speedy oilers along with a bunch of east coasters? I don't typically use nicknames for people that i do not know personally since that sort pf is the nature of them.
- AvsFanYeaa

You are not thinking about line combo matching as well, you dont think O'Reilly and Duchene wont be paired against those top lines as well. 2 of the top 10 in Takeaway 2 way forwards will create just as much shut down frustration against other teams lines compared to our D-Pairings. (O'Reilly is in the top 20 with only 29 games played, he would be near the top of that category again if he played a full season).

Roy has a system for his D, and he has foote as a constulant to work wtih them as well. What you knew about our returning D members and assuming they will be the same type of player is a dangerous assumption. You ahve to be optomistic that some of the, are going to exel or else might as well just wait for the 2014-15 season instead.

Narrow minded perhaps, but are you seriously highly optimistic about a combo of Johnson-Benoit shutting down lines like Parise-Koivu-Pominville, Saad-Toews-Hossa, Getzlaf-Perry-whomever, sedin sisters-kesler, those damn speedy oilers along with a bunch of east coasters?

FYI I don't typically use nicknames for people that i do not know personally since that is sort of the nature of them...Also, where I am if I say Avs no one has a damn clue what that is so I say and apparently type the entire thing out.
- AvsFanYeaa

I think it has more to do with just finding a guy that meshes well with EJ. The Avs don't currently have a solid #2 so its all about who plays best with him. It could be him or wilson. Either way I'd expect to see the D lines shuffled quite a bit this year.

Also the Depth at forward should help out the D a little as well.

Lol good eye, Inspector. But seriously true. Can't remember the time I didn't use short form for the Avs or Varly. I just want the season to start man! Let's do this boys!
- donavin

I cant wait either, Im excited to see MacKinnon suit up tonight, its a brad new season and time to be optomistic, I thought we had the talent, so im glad we didnt make any drastic moves, we are surrounding our players with a good coaching staff to try and get the most out of them.

Do I think we are playoff bound? Not sure, but I do know we are going to be a competitive passioante team to play against

I think it has more to do with just finding a guy that meshes well with EJ. The Avs don't currently have a solid #2 so its all about who plays best with him. It could be him or wilson. Either way I'd expect to see the D lines shuffled quite a bit this year.

Also the Depth at forward should help out the D a little as well.
- Meeqsb

exactly, we have a some of the best 2 way players in the game right now, O'Reilly was always there and Duchene showed and advanced that side of his game as well last year.

and we do still have a pawn to move in Stastny to acquire D-Help. 2 UFA dmen I think we should watch carefully are Girardi and Seidenberg. Nikitin from Columbus is intruging as well

You are not thinking about line combo matching as well, you dont think O'Reilly and Duchene wont be paired against those top lines as well. 2 of the top 10 in Takeaway 2 way forwards will create just as much shut down frustration against other teams lines compared to our D-Pairings. (O'Reilly is in the top 20 with only 29 games played, he would be near the top of that category again if he played a full season).

Roy has a system for his D, and he has foote as a constulant to work wtih them as well. What you knew about our returning D members and assuming they will be the same type of player is a dangerous assumption. You ahve to be optomistic that some of the, are going to exel or else might as well just wait for the 2014-15 season instead.
- DDM-Coga

I understand that those line matchups have just as much to do with the overall defense if not more but how many of the top teams in the league don't have a clear #1 D-man?

You need a number 1 D-man to be near the top of this league and the Avs don't have it and I think it would be pretty optimistic of anyone to think at this point that that man will be Erik Johnson.

Benoit may very well be a nice addition for a 2nd or 3rd pairing, as well as the possibility of an older improved Barrie and a hopefully healthy Wilson and we may not be terrible on defense. What are the likelihood of all of those coming true? Better then the lottery but probably not quite as good as a mid-season trade for solid defender.

#truststpatrick

I understand that those line matchups have just as much to do with the overall defense if not more but how many of the top teams in the league don't have a clear #1 D-man?

You need a number 1 D-man to be near the top of this league and the Avs don't have it and I think it would be pretty optimistic of anyone to think at this point that that man will be Erik Johnson.

Benoit may very well be a nice addition for a 2nd or 3rd pairing, as well as the possibility of an older improved Barrie and a hopefully healthy Wilson and we may not be terrible on defense. What are the likelihood of all of those coming true? Better then the lottery but probably not quite as good as a mid-season trade for solid defender.

#truststpatrick
- AvsFanYeaa

Look at the islanders, they dont have a true number 1 dman and they made the playoffs. Minny has Suter, until Brodin showed he is a big time player, they had 1 quality dman, Gilber was 2nd on the depth chart to start the season last year.

Teams can make the playoffs without true number 1s like the Islanders did. Im not worried about that

I understand that those line matchups have just as much to do with the overall defense if not more but how many of the top teams in the league don't have a clear #1 D-man?

You need a number 1 D-man to be near the top of this league and the Avs don't have it and I think it would be pretty optimistic of anyone to think at this point that that man will be Erik Johnson.

Benoit may very well be a nice addition for a 2nd or 3rd pairing, as well as the possibility of an older improved Barrie and a hopefully healthy Wilson and we may not be terrible on defense. What are the likelihood of all of those coming true? Better then the lottery but probably not quite as good as a mid-season trade for solid defender.

#truststpatrick
- AvsFanYeaa

I think EJ can be a solid #1. Easy to harp on him after last year but I think that was largely due to Sacco's system, not EJ's ability.

Look at the islanders, they dont have a true number 1 dman and they made the playoffs. Minny has Suter, until Brodin showed he is a big time player, they had 1 quality dman, Gilber was 2nd on the depth chart to start the season last year.

Teams can make the playoffs without true number 1s like the Islanders did. Im not worried about that
- DDM-Coga

Playoffs have never been out of our reach in consideration to this season, but I would like to be a little further ahead and this is a major boost we need. Islanders might make the playoffs but I don't think it likely they make a cup run.

Right now we have some work to do considering the competition...

1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3.4.5.Minnesota, Nashville, Colorado
6.7. Dallas, Winnipeg

That is how I see the central division right now. We need to beat out Minnesota and Nashville. On the other side of the west there looks like a clear 4 teams playoff bound or at least looking better then the Avs right now.

Anaheim, Vancouver, San Jose, and LA

Edmonton looks pretty similar to Colorado.

Playoffs have never been out of our reach in consideration to this season, but I would like to be a little further ahead and this is a major boost we need. Islanders might make the playoffs but I don't think it likely they make a cup run.

Right now we have some work to do considering the competition...

1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3.4.5.Minnesota, Nashville, Colorado
6.7. Dallas, Winnipeg

That is how I see the central division right now. We need to beat out Minnesota and Nashville. On the other side of the west there looks like a clear 4 teams playoff bound or at least looking better then the Avs right now.

Anaheim, Vancouver, San Jose, and LA

Edmonton looks pretty similar to Colorado.
- AvsFanYeaa

I think you are right too, thats how I see the playoff situation in the west too. We need to be 3-4 in our division and we cant be losing divisional games like we have been in the past years. those typically boring games to watch against Minny and Nashville are going to be even more important this year.

I dont see oilers struggling out of the gate this year with Gagner and Nuge hurt, could be what stops them from making the playoffs this year.

Top teams to me are LA and Anaheim, with San Jose and Vancouver flopping back and forth all year for 3-4.

I was really hoping the Avs made a play for Franson. Young solid defender with offensive upside, that would have been relatively cheap. If only but we will see what we get in return for Stastny or O' Reilly some time before the trade deadline. I expect both of them to boost their trade value a lot early on.

I was really hoping the Avs made a play for Franson. Young solid defender with offensive upside, that would have been relatively cheap. If only but we will see what we get in return for Stastny or O' Reilly some time before the trade deadline. I expect both of them to boost their trade value a lot early on.
- AvsFanYeaa

O'Reilly will stay, he is showing he has the potential to be a legit 1st line winger, and the perfect replacement to center the top 2 lines if there is an injury to Duchene or MacKinnon since Stastny will be the odd man out.

We couldnt afford the trade cost for him, somewhere in a 1st rounder or a good prospect. Whats the point then.

We role with our D-Core for now, and see what comes available around the deadline. Stastny would be a prime target for a playoff contender to boost their second line.

O'Reilly will stay, he is showing he has the potential to be a legit 1st line winger, and the perfect replacement to center the top 2 lines if there is an injury to Duchene or MacKinnon since Stastny will be the odd man out.

We couldnt afford the trade cost for him, somewhere in a 1st rounder or a good prospect. Whats the point then.

We role with our D-Core for now, and see what comes available around the deadline. Stastny would be a prime target for a playoff contender to boost their second line.
- DDM-Coga

I'll believe it when I see it but I do agree he seems the obvious choice. How good of a prospect would have taken? They would have loved Sgarbossa and a 3rd rounder

I'll believe it when I see it but I do agree he seems the obvious choice. How good of a prospect would have taken? They would have loved Sgarbossa and a 3rd rounder
- AvsFanYeaa

I dont think anyone outside of Garth talks about Sgarbossa on here, they would not of taken that trade. They would want a 2nd for sure and probably a guy like Heard as well, but right now he doesnt have much value

I dont think anyone outside of Garth talks about Sgarbossa on here, they would not of taken that trade. They would want a 2nd for sure and probably a guy like Heard as well, but right now he doesnt have much value
- DDM-Coga

Maybe not but the deal was there to be made. We need Hishon to get back on the ice and stay healthy so he has some value either to be utilized later or traded for something decent.

I think EJ can be a solid #1. Easy to harp on him after last year but I think that was largely due to Sacco's system, not EJ's ability.
- Meeqsb

I wouldn't harp on him for last season. I think he is a decent defender, just not a number 1 on any cup contender now or anywhere in the near future. I think he would be a great defender if he was in someone else's shadow like a Shea Weber I could dream.

O'Reilly will stay, he is showing he has the potential to be a legit 1st line winger, and the perfect replacement to center the top 2 lines if there is an injury to Duchene or MacKinnon since Stastny will be the odd man out.

We couldnt afford the trade cost for him, somewhere in a 1st rounder or a good prospect. Whats the point then.

We role with our D-Core for now, and see what comes available around the deadline. Stastny would be a prime target for a playoff contender to boost their second line.
- DDM-Coga

RoR staying will be purely up to him and how he wants to handle his next contract. I hope he stays with the Avs for life, there is no way we can replace what he brings to this team and if we lose him it will set us back 2 years.

Maybe not but the deal was there to be made. We need Hishon to get back on the ice and stay healthy so he has some value either to be utilized later or traded for something decent.
- AvsFanYeaa

He would probably just sign with a different team at that point

I wouldn't harp on him for last season. I think he is a decent defender, just not a number 1 on any cup contender now or anywhere in the near future. I think he would be a great defender if he was in someone else's shadow like a Shea Weber I could dream.
- AvsFanYeaa

I would still disagree, he has all the tools to be a #1. "Cup winning defense" is all about the quality of depth anyways.

I guess it would be nice to have arguably the best defense man in the world playing with him too