Rick Sadowski: Tough debut for Berra, Avs drop to 3rd in Central

Tough break for Berra, hopefully we can rebound against the big bad bruiiiins

It was a mistake to play back to back backups.

Not a classic goaltending duel for sure. I was really impressed with Duchene, O'Reilly and Landeskog. Full credit to the Avs for not giving up late in the game after playing the night before. No respect for Cody McLeod though. Way too much ankle slashing and cheap shots after whistles. It would be okay if he had the nards to drop the gloves and back it up. Probably chicken after watching Peluso take Bordeleau to school. Nice rivalry developing. With all the young talent on both these teams its only going to get better over the next few years.

I spent a good chunk of change to sit in the MTS Centre last night...that was like a pre-season game. There was just as many bodies out of the line-up as there were in it.

1 - Bordy...dude...no more fighting. Ever since you got rocked in Edmonton you haven't been the same fighter or player. You got rag dolled last night...i'm starting to think he's got some concussion issues after all these clean punches he's taking to the head. Who was that guy in Edmonton that beat the snot out of him?

2 - Didn't notice as much Matt Duchene this trip to Winnipeg. Last time they were here he pretty much won the game all by himself. Quiet night in a Duchene sort of way (which is still better than most).

3 - Disagree with Dater's article that MacKinnon was bad, from a live point of view, he looked like his usual self and at times I thought he was the best player on the ice? One of the few Avs that gain entry into the attacking zone with ease. Did I miss something?

4 - If i'm going to spend all that money when the Avs come to town....I don't want to see Berra. Please send Varly to Winnipeg. I thought he might be jacked up to play well in front of Roy, first game with the Avs, sold out arena, new contract. No....polar opposite.....can't get much worse for a first showing.

5 - I had 3 beer, one for each period.

6 - I didn't eat the Jets Dog...sorry guys that's our loss right there. When I eat the Jets Dog we're 100% against the Avs 1-0-0. No Jets Dog and i'm 0-1-1. I'll shoulder the blame.

7 - MEH! Bring on Chicago, and get healthy boys!

I spent a good chunk of change to sit in the MTS Centre last night...that was like a pre-season game. There was just as many bodies out of the line-up as there were in it.

1 - Bordy...dude...no more fighting. Ever since you got rocked in Edmonton you haven't been the same fighter or player. You got rag dolled last night...i'm starting to think he's got some concussion issues after all these clean punches he's taking to the head. Who was that guy in Edmonton that beat the snot out of him?

2 - Didn't notice as much Matt Duchene this trip to Winnipeg. Last time they were here he pretty much won the game all by himself. Quiet night in a Duchene sort of way (which is still better than most).

3 - Disagree with Dater's article that MacKinnon was bad, from a live point of view, he looked like his usual self and at times I thought he was the best player on the ice? One of the few Avs that gain entry into the attacking zone with ease. Did I miss something?

4 - If i'm going to spend all that money when the Avs come to town....I don't want to see Berra. Please send Varly to Winnipeg. I thought he might be jacked up to play well in front of Roy, first game with the Avs, sold out arena, new contract. No....polar opposite.....can't get much worse for a first showing.

5 - I had 3 beer, one for each period.

6 - I didn't eat the Jets Dog...sorry guys that's our loss right there. When I eat the Jets Dog we're 100% against the Avs 1-0-0. No Jets Dog and i'm 0-1-1. I'll shoulder the blame.

7 - MEH! Bring on Chicago, and get healthy boys!
- Fols19

Yeah tough game to watch. With Stastny and Mitchell out, plus PAP and Tangs, our bottom 6 sucks, having to play Barrie as a forward I wasnt expecting too much with Berra in net. Granted jets had Sheif, Buff, and Bogo out, but that doesnt really changde how their healthy forwards matcuh up to our bang up ones.

Man do I ever hate E Kane as a player, you just watch him play and he gives off a vibe that is he so full of himself and doesnt do squat most shifts. The jets wont win much until they move him, ties up too much cap space and ice time

Yeah tough game to watch. With Stastny and Mitchell out, plus PAP and Tangs, our bottom 6 sucks, having to play Barrie as a forward I wasnt expecting too much with Berra in net. Granted jets had Sheif, Buff, and Bogo out, but that doesnt really changde how their healthy forwards matcuh up to our bang up ones.

Man do I ever hate E Kane as a player, you just watch him play and he gives off a vibe that is he so full of himself and doesnt do squat most shifts. The jets wont win much until they move him, ties up too much cap space and ice time
- DDM-Coga

Funny you say that because when a guy has that much talent, drafted that high and playing for a reasonable contract...he's suppose to be the home town favorite. You know something is up when even the home town can't stand the guy.

Kane is just a piece of work. I don't know if this makes sense, but you just get that feeling, he believes he's an NFL level superstar. It just doesn't work in hockey...the stars of hockey are just not that type of character. It doesn't fit, and frankly...I don't think people are ready for kids to come into this league with that attitude. He was drafted right after Duchene and one of them is a future of team Canada and one of them is taking selfie photos of himself with bricks of cash? HUH?

Kid needs to grow up and it won't happen until the Jets bring in a long-term no bull kind of coach to smack him around.

Funny you say that because when a guy has that much talent, drafted that high and playing for a reasonable contract...he's suppose to be the home town favorite. You know something is up when even the home town can't stand the guy.

Kane is just a piece of work. I don't know if this makes sense, but you just get that feeling, he believes he's an NFL level superstar. It just doesn't work in hockey...the stars of hockey are just not that type of character. It doesn't fit, and frankly...I don't think people are ready for kids to come into this league with that attitude. He was drafted right after Duchene and one of them is a future of team Canada and one of them is taking selfie photos of himself with bricks of cash? HUH?

Kid needs to grow up and it won't happen until the Jets bring in a long-term no bull kind of coach to smack him around.
- Fols19

watching it at home, Lawless was talking about how the rumours are swirling about E. Kane might be moved at the draft. His contract kicks in, 6m for him playing on the 3rd line scoring less than 20goals isnt ideal.

If a seguin package came up of a good roster player or 2, a prospect, and a pick. He thinks Chevy will take the deal to fill out the roster, since he believs Scheifele has already overtaken Kane as who the offensive catalyst for the team for years to come

It was a mistake to play back to back backups.
- Drij

Why did they? Varly was tired? I need him to play for the home stretch of my fantasy league!

Why would the Avs spend a 2nd rd pick on a 27 year old goalie, who put up a sub .900 sv% in the only 20+ NHL games he's played? He didn't even have great stats in the AHL. The goalie leading the league in sv% at the time was traded for a 3rd a few weeks earlier. What am I missing?

Why did they? Varly was tired? I need him to play for the home stretch of my fantasy league!
- 1979AD

Dont think Varly was tired, Roy gave Jiggy a start in montreal, could be the last time he gets to play in his hometown, and I assume he thought Jets would be a good game for Berra to get his first start. Sort of back fired on him.

3 - Disagree with Dater's article that MacKinnon was bad, from a live point of view, he looked like his usual self and at times I thought he was the best player on the ice? One of the few Avs that gain entry into the attacking zone with ease. Did I miss something?
- Fols19

I must've missed something as well. I thought MacKinnon played really well... not great as I did notice a few times he tried to thread the needle, but instead hit the defenseman's skate. Other than that I become more and more impressed with the kid every game. I read a fantasy league article the other day about Ongrej Palat of the Tampa Bay Lightning and how he's going to give MacKinnon a run for his money with the Calder. Personally, I think Palat is having a great year, but he's not going to beat MacKinnon for the Calder. It also helps MacKinnon that he's 4 years younger than Palat. IMO, by the time he's 22, he'll be closing in on superstar status in the NHL.

Why would the Avs spend a 2nd rd pick on a 27 year old goalie, who put up a sub .900 sv% in the only 20+ NHL games he's played? He didn't even have great stats in the AHL. The goalie leading the league in sv% at the time was traded for a 3rd a few weeks earlier. What am I missing?
- 1979AD

Considering people said almost the exact same thing when the Avs traded for Varly...i'll give them time to develop Berra and not jump all over it.

Right now it's a head scratcher. There are ample goalies that can fill a back-up roll in this league, out with Jiggy, in with someone new. Giving him a contract and 2nd rounder seemed a little silly but hey...you have the best in the business working with him.

Why would the Avs spend a 2nd rd pick on a 27 year old goalie, who put up a sub .900 sv% in the only 20+ NHL games he's played? He didn't even have great stats in the AHL. The goalie leading the league in sv% at the time was traded for a 3rd a few weeks earlier. What am I missing?
- 1979AD

Allaire has worked with Berra at a few of his goalie camps in Swizterland in the past, I assume Roy and Allaire liked what they saw out of him in raw potential, fits Allaires style of goalie to mold. Working project in my opinion.

Roy really wanted him and Flames werent planning on trading on him, so they upped their offer to get him. Jiggy is done as a backup, he is going to retire most likely.

I must've missed something as well. I thought MacKinnon played really well... not great as I did notice a few times he tried to thread the needle, but instead hit the defenseman's skate. Other than that I become more and more impressed with the kid every game. I read a fantasy league article the other day about Ongrej Palat of the Tampa Bay Lightning and how he's going to give MacKinnon a run for his money with the Calder. Personally, I think Palat is having a great year, but he's not going to beat MacKinnon for the Calder. It also helps MacKinnon that he's 4 years younger than Palat. IMO, by the time he's 22, he'll be closing in on superstar status in the NHL.
- TravisK

dater likes to hate sometimes, so he picks a topic to troll people. Like how he used to go off on Barrie all the time, bc he knew it would ruffle peoples feathers and start a hit parade.

Considering people said almost the exact same thing when the Avs traded for Varly...i'll give them time to develop Berra and not jump all over it.

Right now it's a head scratcher. There are ample goalies that can fill a back-up roll in this league, out with Jiggy, in with someone new. Giving him a contract and 2nd rounder seemed a little silly but hey...you have the best in the business working with him.
- Fols19

It is a head scratcher but thats the goalie they wanted, not sure why they just didnt wait till he was a UFA but maybe he was about to resign with the Flames and Roy had to get him now.

I must've missed something as well. I thought MacKinnon played really well... not great as I did notice a few times he tried to thread the needle, but instead hit the defenseman's skate. Other than that I become more and more impressed with the kid every game. I read a fantasy league article the other day about Ongrej Palat of the Tampa Bay Lightning and how he's going to give MacKinnon a run for his money with the Calder. Personally, I think Palat is having a great year, but he's not going to beat MacKinnon for the Calder. It also helps MacKinnon that he's 4 years younger than Palat. IMO, by the time he's 22, he'll be closing in on superstar status in the NHL.
- TravisK

The fact that Tampa has not one but two guys playing lights out rookie hockey is pretty impressive. But i'm sticking to my guns on this one, NHL has to recognize that MacKinnon is just one tier up the scale from all these guys. Do what's right, give him the award and it won't look stupid years to come when Tampa's rookies fall back down to Earth and MacKinnon is playing for Team Canada.

Not to bring it up every time but I have to bring it up every time...Duchene was the rookie of his year and they went with the trendy pick. It's like a mustard stain, you can clean it but there's going to be a faint yellow stain forever and that's Matt Duchene's trophy case not having a Calder.

The fact that Tampa has not one but two guys playing lights out rookie hockey is pretty impressive. But i'm sticking to my guns on this one, NHL has to recognize that MacKinnon is just one tier up the scale from all these guys. Do what's right, give him the award and it won't look stupid years to come when Tampa's rookies fall back down to Earth and MacKinnon is playing for Team Canada.

Not to bring it up every time but I have to bring it up every time...Duchene was the rookie of his year and they went with the trendy pick. It's like a mustard stain, you can clean it but there's going to be a faint yellow stain forever and that's Matt Duchene's trophy case not having a Calder.
- Fols19

Dutch was amazing his rookie year, and sure looking back now Myers winning it doesnt seem right, what he did as an 18 year old coming off a bad Avs team was amazing. But at the time Myers had a strong case for why he won it. Playing really well as a 20 year old Dman on an ok Sabres team is nothing to sneeze at. I think a lot of voters really fell in love of the 20 year old Dman carrying the load of their dcore story line.

Berra was bad last night, no argument from me. Though that was some of the worst defensive play all season last night.

Considering people said almost the exact same thing when the Avs traded for Varly...i'll give them time to develop Berra and not jump all over it.

Right now it's a head scratcher. There are ample goalies that can fill a back-up roll in this league, out with Jiggy, in with someone new. Giving him a contract and 2nd rounder seemed a little silly but hey...you have the best in the business working with him.
- Fols19

You can't compare this to the Varly trade. Varly was a 1st rd pick and coming off a 25 game season with 2 SO's and a .924.

Berra has been nothing but a poopty goalie in the AHL and NHL so far. I saw in another post that Allaire worked with him in Suisse. Sakic must have tons of trust in and respect for that guy's opinion. Even if he does turn out to be a solid backup, a 2nd rd pick was too much given the current goalie market.

Anyway, no big deal; was just curious. Thanks for the intel.

You can't compare this to the Varly trade. Varly was a 1st rd pick and coming off a 25 game season with 2 SO's and a .924.

Berra has been nothing but a poopty goalie in the AHL and NHL so far. I saw in another post that Allaire worked with him in Suisse. Sakic must have tons of trust in and respect for that guy's opinion. Even if he does turn out to be a solid backup, a 2nd rd pick was too much given the current goalie market.

Anyway, no big deal; was just curious. Thanks for the intel.
- 1979AD

I think most Av Fans will agree with you that a 2nd was too much to give up for him, however all are pretty optomistic that based on the past Allaire connections that they think they can build him up to a good goalie. We dont mind him as a back up project but the 2nd and 3 year deal were too much from a fans prospective.

Maybe in a year or 2 this proves to be wrong, but its a long term, if any, return on this investment.

You can't compare this to the Varly trade. Varly was a 1st rd pick and coming off a 25 game season with 2 SO's and a .924.

Berra has been nothing but a poopty goalie in the AHL and NHL so far. I saw in another post that Allaire worked with him in Suisse. Sakic must have tons of trust in and respect for that guy's opinion. Even if he does turn out to be a solid backup, a 2nd rd pick was too much given the current goalie market.

Anyway, no big deal; was just curious. Thanks for the intel.
- 1979AD

I think a 2nd for 3 years of a solid back up is more than fine. I am not surprised at all that he had a rough game with our line up so depleted, and playing back to back. There will still be a lot of work to be done but I think he can be a solid back up.

That 2nd rounder is looking better all the time...

Just joking! I do think he will be a good goalie!

That 2nd rounder is looking better all the time...

Just joking! I do think he will be a good goalie!
- whipper334

he will be ok in the end, dont think you will see a big improvement in his game until at least next season.