Soderberg is a really expensive third line center.
- dothedougie

If by "really expensive 3c" you mean "Average cost 3c who will be pulling 2c duties"

Pens fans were debating if his wife is hotter than Oshie's wife...not sure who won.
- stljam

Oshies for sure

I am feeling good about the line up.

Beauchemin is a good signing. Did we overpay, maybe. It is a thin defense market this year so it is to be expected a little bit. But he gives the Avs a calming solid defensive presence back there and gives the D some credibility. Plus, the prospects can step in at the end of this contract.

Could have went after Sekera, but the length of the deal may have handcuffed the Avs a little bit.

Sounds like Oduya is still in play with the Hawks and it may have been a better choice to sign someone rather than wait on that situation.

Mike Green was a good signing for the Wings. Cheap, potential value wise, and not tied up too many years.

Barrett Jackman would have been a quality signing as well.

Comeau adds some solid depth, not a bad deal there.

Lets see if the Avs can get some more depth, or sign some "misfit toys" (think Zach Redmond).
- KOGGS

Sakic said that he was done but I still stand by my thought that if the Avs can get Matthias on a deal 2m or less they should be ALL over it.

The only thing I worry about with this is whether Colorado is getting the Francois Beauchemin we're expecting, or something different. I'm expecting more of a Ruslan Salei-type signing than, say, a Scott Hannan.
- Puckenstuff

He did have the highest TOI for any player on a top 5 team last year, averaged 25 TIO in the playoffs, 22 reg season and was very solid with Vantanen(it was him or lindholm, dont remember). Guy should be very solid for the next 2 year and by then prospects can fill the void.

I wouldnt mind re signing hejda for a small amount 1year deal till we need that cap space next year.
- _AVZ_

Adding anymore defensemen would push one of Guenin, Redmond, or Holden down to San Antonio which would take playing time away from the prospects. They need all the playing time they get so they're ready next year when Guenin and Redmond's contracts expire. I think they just need to be patient and let the contracts expire. Redmond might draw some interest later on in the season if a team starts to see some injuries. The other 3 are here to stay.

Adding anymore defensemen would push one of Guenin, Redmond, or Holden down to San Antonio which would take playing time away from the prospects. They need all the playing time they get so they're ready next year when Guenin and Redmond's contracts expire. I think they just need to be patient and let the contracts expire. Redmond might draw some interest later on in the season if a team starts to see some injuries. The other 3 are here to stay.
- westonie

Yeah I agree, we won't do anything with the D core until mid season. Who knows maybe Stuart or Holden can be traded if they become a respectable third pairing.

If we were going to take a flyer on someone I wouldnt mind a 1 year deal on Ehroff or Irwin. That could help the third pairing dramatically if they can rid themselves of one of the garbage pail kids on D

Landeskog-Duchene-Iginla
Tanguay-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Comeau-Soderberg-Grigorenko
McLeod-Mitchell-Hamilton

Johnson-Zadarov
Barrie-Beauchemin
Stuart-Elliott

Varlamov
Berra

Extra: Cliche, Redmond, Holden

Trade/Waivers: Bordeleau, Guenin

Call-ups (in order of preference depending on injuries):

Forwards: Hishon, Bleackley, Everberg (when healthy), Rendulic, Agozzino, Smith

Defense: Siemens, Bigras, Geertsen, Clark

Goalies: Pickard moves up if Berra falters, but should get a few games this season either way for development.

Grigorenko duchene Iginla
Landeskog Soderberg Mackinnon
Tanguay Hishon/mitchell Comeau
McLeod Mitchell/Winchester Everberg

Beauchemin Johnson
Zadorov Barrie
Stuart Holden
Redmond

That's a lineup I can get used to. In three years though?

Grigorenko Duchene Rantanen
Landeskog Mackinnon ???
Tanguay Soderberg Comeau/Everberg
??? ??? ???
Named under consideration

Bleackley, Martinsen, Greer, Compher, Nantel.

Defense

Zadorov Johnson
Bigras Barrie (general top four)
Geertsen Siemens

Butcher, Kyle wood, Meloche and Mironov under consideration.

That's not bad

I'd say I'm still 90% cautiously and 10% optimistic on Grigs. Guy has a lot to prove.

That's not bad
- martok2309

I wish you still blogged a bit. Enjoy Rick's writings but also enjoyed your reads a while back.

It's pretty clear what we are seeing here is that our young defenseman just aren't ready to step up.

As many people have said, this doesn't "fix" the problem but it definitely gives us a better defensive core than we had last year.

Over the next couple of years, we'll start to see the young guys challenging for TOI and it will be a perfect compliment to the younger offensive core.

We'll just have to see how it plays out this year. Roy did a really good job his first season and, on paper at least, this roster appears to be better and definitely deeper than that team.

If you consistently have guys like Cliche and Holden and Guenin getting lots of minutes, well... We all saw what happened last year. If they can stay relatively healthy, this team should be fun to watch and could pleasantly surprise us.

It's pretty clear what we are seeing here is that our young defenseman just aren't ready to step up.

As many people have said, this doesn't "fix" the problem but it definitely gives us a better defensive core than we had last year.

Over the next couple of years, we'll start to see the young guys challenging for TOI and it will be a perfect compliment to the younger offensive core.

We'll just have to see how it plays out this year. Roy did a really good job his first season and, on paper at least, this roster appears to be better and definitely deeper than that team.

If you consistently have guys like Cliche and Holden and Guenin getting lots of minutes, well... We all saw what happened last year. If they can stay relatively healthy, this team should be fun to watch and could pleasantly surprise us.
- jratliff

I agree, I am optimistic about this roster, it feels like an NHL roster. Plus we have really improved our prospect depth so in a season or 2 once we start to have some contracts expire or we have injury issues, we have legit players to call up to take those roles and not just be picking up AHL cast aways in hopes of them being NHL players.

Our system was really broken and wasnt going to be fixed over night, so this is a really good step in the right direction.

I wish you still blogged a bit. Enjoy Rick's writings but also enjoyed your reads a while back.
- Lawdaddy

Thanks, or was fun writing for HockeyBuzz.com. I am writing at a site called Along the Boards, if you want to check it out.

Some nice moves for Colarado this offseason. Very nice return for ROR and Beau is a beast.

Comeau was great for the Pens last year and as mentioned in the blog, he can move up and down the lineup. He actually had the better chemistry with Malkin than any other wingers before Geno went drama queen. Physical and has a surprisingly good shot, would have put up 25 if he played the full season on the 2nd line. Pens just couldnt afford him this offseason.

Some nice moves for Colarado this offseason. Very nice return for ROR and Beau is a beast.

Comeau was great for the Pens last year and as mentioned in the blog, he can move up and down the lineup. He actually had the better chemistry with Malkin than any other wingers before Geno went drama queen. Physical and has a surprisingly good shot, would have put up 25 if he played the full season on the 2nd line. Pens just couldnt afford him this offseason.
- MacPatty

I like the Comeau stuff the more I read about him, think he is a really good Top 9 signing who can do a little bit of everything, wish he was under 2m, but like Beauch, those contracts wont kill you long term, so paying a few extra 500k on them isnt the end of the world.

Soderberg, Comeau, Beauchemin, Zadarov, Grigeranko in ROR McGinn out. I can live with that sort of turn over

I like the Comeau stuff the more I read about him, think he is a really good Top 9 signing who can do a little bit of everything, wish he was under 2m, but like Beauch, those contracts wont kill you long term, so paying a few extra 500k on them isnt the end of the world.

Soderberg, Comeau, Beauchemin, Zadarov, Grigeranko in ROR McGinn out. I can live with that sort of turn over
- DDM-Coga

I read a lot of projected lineups on this thread. Are you guys really going to slot the yeti in for your 3rd line C? Seems like you payed him to be more than that.

I read a lot of projected lineups on this thread. Are you guys really going to slot the yeti in for your 3rd line C? Seems like you payed him to be more than that.
- dothedougie

No I dont think he will be third line C, he might be pushed down if guys like grigorenko or Rantanen emerge really quickly and take Top 6 roles, and if he gets pushed down bc of that, well the Avs are in a really good spot.

But Sakic said he expects him to C Landy and Mack to start the season. I think he will excel with those guys at linemates, who did he have in Boston? Kelly and Eriksson? Huge upgrade for him with those kids on his wings

No I dont think he will be third line C, he might be pushed down if guys like grigorenko or Rantanen emerge really quickly and take Top 6 roles, and if he gets pushed down bc of that, well the Avs are in a really good spot.

But Sakic said he expects him to C Landy and Mack to start the season. I think he will excel with those guys at linemates, who did he have in Boston? Kelly and Eriksson? Huge upgrade for him with those kids on his wings
- DDM-Coga

MASSIVE upgrade. I think you guys will see an explosion in production from the Yeti. He is going to create space and make plays happen for Kogs and MacK. Ill predict probably a 50+ point season. maybe 15 goals, 40+ assists.

Grigorenko duchene Iginla
Landeskog Soderberg Mackinnon
Tanguay Hishon/mitchell Comeau
McLeod Mitchell/Winchester Everberg

Beauchemin Johnson
Zadorov Barrie
Stuart Holden
Redmond

That's a lineup I can get used to. In three years though?

Grigorenko Duchene Rantanen
Landeskog Mackinnon ???
Tanguay Soderberg Comeau/Everberg
??? ??? ???
Named under consideration

Bleackley, Martinsen, Greer, Compher, Nantel.

Defense

Zadorov Johnson
Bigras Barrie (general top four)
Geertsen Siemens

Butcher, Kyle wood, Meloche and Mironov under consideration.

That's not bad
- martok2309

Do you think Tanguay will be around for that long?

Do you think Tanguay will be around for that long?
- manchester33

I think so, he probably will just retire an Av. I see 1 year deals after next season.
He could retire earlier, but I think he plays to the end of Iggys contract and they both retire together

I think so, he probably will just retire an Av. I see 1 year deals after next season.
He could retire earlier, but I think he plays to the end of Iggys contract and they both retire together
- DDM-Coga

#bestbuds

MASSIVE upgrade. I think you guys will see an explosion in production from the Yeti. He is going to create space and make plays happen for Kogs and MacK. Ill predict probably a 50+ point season. maybe 15 goals, 40+ assists.
- dothedougie

He will probably get some solid PP time too. I could see them roll out a unit of him, Dutch, and Iggy.

Yeti is a solid pick up no matter how you look at it. I can see Roy really leaning heavy on him based on his size

He will probably get some solid PP time too. I could see them roll out a unit of him, Dutch, and Iggy.

Yeti is a solid pick up no matter how you look at it. I can see Roy really leaning heavy on him based on his size
- DDM-Coga

Just wish the kid would hit more. He could really lay some people out if he wanted to.

Just wish the kid would hit more. He could really lay some people out if he wanted to.
- dothedougie

He probably will be more physical than ROR, he only has something like 22 hits per season. So he will be more of a physical presence than him

Im excited to see him in an Avs uni

He probably will be more physical than ROR, he only has something like 22 hits per season. So he will be more of a physical presence than him

Im excited to see him in an Avs uni
- DDM-Coga

You should have a third line of Foreverberg-Yeti-Rantanenenenenenen


Just have them do the flying V and bull their way to the net