Rick Sadowski: Duchene line excels, Boikov hurt

It humbles me and reminds me of how much kool-aid we drink as fans (especially us Leafs fans) when we talk about our prospects. I am not sure if this is an apology to Avs fans for my disrespect that I have no idea who you are talking about that was injured, or my frustration as a fan who always respected the Avs (all the way back to when they were the Nordiques). I consider myself at least an above average hockey fan who watches the draft each year etc and tends to know prospects etc. beyond the first few rounds. Thank god for HockeyDB. Come on . . . you can't be concerned a 6th round pick from two years ago was even at camp, let alone injured.

I realize the Leafs have been a joke of a franchise for decades and I could point out hundreds (maybe thousands?) of articles by Toronto media over hyping prospects, but the Avs deserve better than worrying about this guy. Come on. Sakic may have been one of the greatest players of all time but, like THE greatest player of all time, on-ice skills do not always translate to management. Markets like Toronto can afford to be a joke. Move Burnaby Joe to a cushy office and get a young GM in place before the Aves become the next 'Yotes.

Are the Avs back baby??

It humbles me and reminds me of how much kool-aid we drink as fans (especially us Leafs fans) when we talk about our prospects. I am not sure if this is an apology to Avs fans for my disrespect that I have no idea who you are talking about that was injured, or my frustration as a fan who always respected the Avs (all the way back to when they were the Nordiques). I consider myself at least an above average hockey fan who watches the draft each year etc and tends to know prospects etc. beyond the first few rounds. Thank god for HockeyDB. Come on . . . you can't be concerned a 6th round pick from two years ago was even at camp, let alone injured.

I realize the Leafs have been a joke of a franchise for decades and I could point out hundreds (maybe thousands?) of articles by Toronto media over hyping prospects, but the Avs deserve better than worrying about this guy. Come on. Sakic may have been one of the greatest players of all time but, like THE greatest player of all time, on-ice skills do not always translate to management. Markets like Toronto can afford to be a joke. Move Burnaby Joe to a cushy office and get a young GM in place before the Aves become the next 'Yotes.
- foghornleghorn

First paragraph is good. Second paragraph is okay but I want to stress the importance of not getting rushed into a decision. Duchene's value will actually increase at the trade deadline when teams are fighting for playoff positioning.

This is a very good draft. Mid range first round picks are very attractive.

Count me as in the group that believes Sakic will get his ransom if he waits until the season has been established.

A source told me the Devils are scouting Alex Kerfoot to use at Center with the loss of Zajac. Sakic is looking for young defenders and NJ is offering Butcher.... Should be completed soon.

First paragraph is good. Second paragraph is okay but I want to stress the importance of not getting rushed into a decision. Duchene's value will actually increase at the trade deadline when teams are fighting for playoff positioning.

This is a very good draft. Mid range first round picks are very attractive.

Count me as in the group that believes Sakic will get his ransom if he waits until the season has been established.

Or at that point the relationship will be mended and Avs can keep Duchene long term and find another way to fill the defensive gap. Either way nice to see 1 opposing fan that doesn't buy into all the half assed garbage.

A source told me the Devils are scouting Alex Kerfoot to use at Center with the loss of Zajac. Sakic is looking for young defenders and NJ is offering Butcher.... Should be completed soon.
- Queenie_5_hole

Never believed Butcher was NHL ready, but how has he looked so far in preseason?

Thank god for HockeyDB. Come on . . . you can't be concerned a 6th round pick from two years ago was even at camp, let alone injured.

Did you read the article? Boikov's injury was a cliff note and came right after he scored a goal. No one here including Rick is making it out to be anything more. Boikov wasn't likely to make the Avs even with their lackluster defense.

Never believed Butcher was NHL ready, but how has he looked so far in preseason?
- avsfaninmn

He’s looked OK. Biggest reason he may get an NHL shot this year is how dreadful the Devils other options on defense are. He definitely signed with the team that’s got the biggest need for him.

MmmmmaaattDuchene!!!

I know I am the minority, but I hope Duchene stays. I hope he lights it up this year and we can see how the D shapes up.

I know I am the minority, but I hope Duchene stays. I hope he lights it up this year and we can see how the D shapes up.
- romefalls19

Wind, meet piss

I know I am the minority, but I hope Duchene stays. I hope he lights it up this year and we can see how the D shapes up.
- romefalls19

Me too I love Dutch.

Never believed Butcher was NHL ready, but how has he looked so far in preseason?
- avsfaninmn

I think I saw Butcher was one of the three stars last night in Montreal but there was nothing on the score sheet that indicated why. From what I've seen of his play he's looked encouraging but hasn't really earned his way onto the team. If he ends up on the opening night roster I think it'll be because of how he was acquired and our dire need for puck moving defenseman not because he's really blown anyone away.

Wind, meet piss
- eichiefs9

Take your crappy and D offerings and go home lol

Wind, meet piss
- eichiefs9

this is why your wife left you

if the season would start tomorrow.

who would make or be in the lineup ?

Johnson Zads
Barrie Barberio
Warsofsky Bigras

I think I saw Butcher was one of the three stars last night in Montreal but there was nothing on the score sheet that indicated why. From what I've seen of his play he's looked encouraging but hasn't really earned his way onto the team. If he ends up on the opening night roster I think it'll be because of how he was acquired and our dire need for puck moving defenseman not because he's really blown anyone away.
- Queenie_5_hole

Pretty much the assessment avs fans thought of him. Needs AHL time before being an effective NHLer if he ever does become one.

Hes smart and that will give him an NHL job if he can capitalize on that.

if they keep Kerfoot, do they bury Soderberg and Colborne

Kerfoot Duchene Yaks
Landy Mack Sven
JT Jost Rants
Nieto Wilson Comeau

Or at that point the relationship will be mended and Avs can keep Duchene long term and find another way to fill the defensive gap. Either way nice to see 1 opposing fan that doesn't buy into all the half assed garbage.
- avsfaninmn

Or, alternatively, Duchesne is benched for prolonged periods of the season for demanding a trade and puts up less than 20 pts by the deadline making his contract an albatross no one will touch with a ten foot clown pole.

Speculating and theorising about future scenarios is fun, all subjectivity and no probability needed because we all just express our own opinion of what will happen regardless of what evidence says. It's as effective in politics as it is in sports discussions.

I hope you get a fair return for the guy, but this has been going on for way too long and Sakic is going to have a very, very hard time finding a deal that will get him what he wants.

Or, alternatively, Duchesne is benched for prolonged periods of the season for demanding a trade and puts up less than 20 pts by the deadline making his contract an albatross no one will touch with a ten foot clown pole.

Speculating and theorising about future scenarios is fun, all subjectivity and no probability needed because we all just express our own opinion of what will happen regardless of what evidence says. It's as effective in politics as it is in sports discussions.

I hope you get a fair return for the guy, but this has been going on for way too long and Sakic is going to have a very, very hard time finding a deal that will get him what he wants.
- ahjnkn

First off its Duchene... Learn to spell his name right. Every Sens fans does this.
Second off...there is no indication that Duchene demanded a trade
Third off...you have Bobby Ryan and Dion Phaneuf so lets slow your roll about hypothetical albatross contracts

I would hate hate hate Duchene to the Sens, just bc of posts and takes like this. He deserves to win, not be part of a pinny penching trapping boring team

this is why your wife left you
- DDM-Coga

YAKS IS BAKS BABY

Take your crappy and D offerings and go home lol
- romefalls19

i cnat going home becasue my wife leaft me

Touche - ne

It humbles me and reminds me of how much kool-aid we drink as fans (especially us Leafs fans) when we talk about our prospects. I am not sure if this is an apology to Avs fans for my disrespect that I have no idea who you are talking about that was injured, or my frustration as a fan who always respected the Avs (all the way back to when they were the Nordiques). I consider myself at least an above average hockey fan who watches the draft each year etc and tends to know prospects etc. beyond the first few rounds. Thank god for HockeyDB. Come on . . . you can't be concerned a 6th round pick from two years ago was even at camp, let alone injured.

I realize the Leafs have been a joke of a franchise for decades and I could point out hundreds (maybe thousands?) of articles by Toronto media over hyping prospects, but the Avs deserve better than worrying about this guy. Come on. Sakic may have been one of the greatest players of all time but, like THE greatest player of all time, on-ice skills do not always translate to management. Markets like Toronto can afford to be a joke. Move Burnaby Joe to a cushy office and get a young GM in place before the Aves become the next 'Yotes.
- foghornleghorn

What an abortion of a post