Rick Sadowski: Grigorenko back on top line; Landeskog (back) is on trip

I dont understand a lot of the decisions being made this year. the honey moon phase with roy is over for me. no clue why grigorenko was taken off the first line last game. I dont want to see guenin playing anymore. they are so many ahl players worthy of a call up while we have wager and martinesen playing. agozzino looked great in the few games he played and zadorov should certainly get another chance as should rantanen. and why didnt varly start last game? he was finally stringing together some great games

Because AHL plays suck and aren't ready yet. Avs are stuck with what they got until they are ready for the NHL. And until all the deadweight retires.

Because AHL plays suck and aren't ready yet. Avs are stuck with what they got until they are ready for the NHL. And until all the deadweight retires.
- Drij

zadorov played better than guenin and even gormley. agozzino was way better than wagner and martinsen. id like to see rantanen get another chance before the year ends at least if not now. he is tearing up the ahl

Grigs Baby

zadorov played better than guenin and even gormley. agozzino was way better than wagner and martinsen. id like to see rantanen get another chance before the year ends at least if not now. he is tearing up the ahl
- MattDuchene9

zadorov lol Give him 2 years in the AHL. He isn't ready.
agozzino played 2 games. He will never make it to the NHL.
rantanen needs a year or 2.

The guys like wagner, martinsen, guenin and even gormley are stop gaps until the young guys are ready.

Playing the young guys isn't going to improve the team.

zadorov lol Give him 2 years in the AHL. He isn't ready.
agozzino played 2 games. He will never make it to the NHL.
rantanen needs a year or 2.

The guys like wagner, martinsen, guenin and even gormley are stop gaps until the young guys are ready.

Playing the young guys isn't going to improve the team.
- Drij

Zadorov is ready i watched him play all season last year in buffalo he was one of their best D men

Zadorov is ready i watched him play all season last year in buffalo he was one of their best D men
- MattDuchene9

Zads isn't ready, he could play in the NHL right now and be a marginal Top 4 Dman but there is a risk of stalling his development rushing him too early, he has all the skills to be a true top pairing guy. The AHL are his and Bigras playground right now, being able to work on the offensive side of their games skating big minutes and most importantly PP time.

Having them develop their special team skill sets on both the PK and PP in the AHL is key for their development.

No need to rush him, bigras, rantanen yet. The team isn't structured enough for them, they will be with the big club next year though, don't worry about that

I dont understand a lot of the decisions being made this year. the honey moon phase with roy is over for me. no clue why grigorenko was taken off the first line last game. I dont want to see guenin playing anymore. they are so many ahl players worthy of a call up while we have wager and martinesen playing. agozzino looked great in the few games he played and zadorov should certainly get another chance as should rantanen. and why didnt varly start last game? he was finally stringing together some great games
- MattDuchene9

Dont call up Rantanen, if he plays over 40 games this year, he is 1 year closer to his UFA availability at a young age, don't burn his first year of ELC when the team won't be doing very much besides being a middle group Top 10 pick.

Wagner is fine, he is a solid 4th Line C, no issues with him.

Agozzino did not look great in his call up, hes a classic too good for the AHL not good enough for the NHL guy, they are a dime a dozen.

Granted Varly should have started, however that rotation was set multiple games ago and Roy was sticking too it, he should have adjusted have back to back solid starts with Varly, but thats just Roy sticking to his guns.

Gormley is fine too, hes a good 3rd pairing guy who can skate, has the ability to create offensive zone entries, he has his hiccups, but there is no issues with him as a depth guy right now.

Funny. A whole article about Grigorenko and he is the least of the Avs problems.

If Holden isn't on the ice, the Avs easily win the game against the Pens.

Roy really needs to stop screwing around with the forwards and work on putting together a defense that is capable of competing on, at least, an AHL level.

Holden and Barrie has to be one of the worst defensive pairing in Avs history. NEITHER is particularly good at defense and Holden is keeping Barrie from doing what he does best and contributing offensively.

I'm just about sick and tired to death of Roy's stubbornness about playing Holden. He is KILLING us.

Funny. A whole article about Grigorenko and he is the least of the Avs problems.

If Holden isn't on the ice, the Avs easily win the game against the Pens.

Roy really needs to stop screwing around with the forwards and work on putting together a defense that is capable of competing on, at least, an AHL level.

Holden and Barrie has to be one of the worst defensive pairing in Avs history. NEITHER is particularly good at defense and Holden is keeping Barrie from doing what he does best and contributing offensively.

I'm just about sick and tired to death of Roy's stubbornness about playing Holden. He is KILLING us.
- jratliff

No Guenin and Barrie were the worst in Avs history, and don't forget about Zanon.

Holden has been fine in the role that he is suppose to be in, 3rd pairing, platoon 6th Dman. He actually hasn't had a terrible season compared to what he was like last season I don't want to see him in the Top 4 either but honestly he will be back with the Avs against next year. Avs will basically have the same D Core next season, unless they move Barrie for some stupid reason, the players will have to figure this out and Roy will fall on the sword until they do.

Im fully expecting this, so I won't get angry when he makes the team again next year and is playing with Zadarov or something like that

Funny. A whole article about Grigorenko and he is the least of the Avs problems.

If Holden isn't on the ice, the Avs easily win the game against the Pens.

Roy really needs to stop screwing around with the forwards and work on putting together a defense that is capable of competing on, at least, an AHL level.

Holden and Barrie has to be one of the worst defensive pairing in Avs history. NEITHER is particularly good at defense and Holden is keeping Barrie from doing what he does best and contributing offensively.

I'm just about sick and tired to death of Roy's stubbornness about playing Holden. He is KILLING us.
- jratliff

The problem is Holden is the best we got.

Well said ddm. Zads isn't ready so why rush him. Rantanen is going to be a great player here, but let him dominate in the ahl. Brigas is looking pretty good. But as said, there are a lot of plug players in the team right now. And that's okay. Grigs will be in our top 6 for the future and has looked good, but still needs work. And he acknowledges as much. I'm ok with holden but he like Barrie need that shut down d guy with them. Our d core next year probably won't change much. Ej/Beau, barrie/gromley, zads/holden. Unless brigas can knock someone out he could be in the ahl again. Still would like to see Siemens up here. If he starts being what he was drafted to be that could really make things interesting. Need 3 big wins boys!! 6 points against divsion here we come!

Well said ddm. Zads isn't ready so why rush him. Rantanen is going to be a great player here, but let him dominate in the ahl. Brigas is looking pretty good. But as said, there are a lot of plug players in the team right now. And that's okay. Grigs will be in our top 6 for the future and has looked good, but still needs work. And he acknowledges as much. I'm ok with holden but he like Barrie need that shut down d guy with them. Our d core next year probably won't change much. Ej/Beau, barrie/gromley, zads/holden. Unless brigas can knock someone out he could be in the ahl again. Still would like to see Siemens up here. If he starts being what he was drafted to be that could really make things interesting. Need 3 big wins boys!! 6 points against divsion here we come!
- Skywalker87

With the Roster situation, the 2 biggest issues in the top 9 are Iggy and Tangs, they just are too slow, especially Tangs. Hopefully he retires so the fan base doesn't pine over brining hime back bc of his Avs legend status. The 3rd Line could be rebuilt in my mind, starting with an Iggy trade to a contender. Going into next season I see the following locks bc they are good in that role or bc of their contracts

Grigo MacK Dutch
Landy Soderberg Rantanen
Comeau (x) (x)
McLeod Mitchell Wagner
(x)

Beauchemin EJ
Zads Barrie
Holden Gormley/Siemens
Stuart (might retire bc of his back)

The players are there, I'm confident of that since as soon as the Avs changed their neutral zone system and going a 1-3-1, the tides have started to turn in regards to zone entries. Teams are dumping the puck in vs having clean zone entries against us.

Rebuilding the 3rd line would be huge, but I think the Top 6 is there and the Top 4 for D.

With the Roster situation, the 2 biggest issues in the top 9 are Iggy and Tangs, they just are too slow, especially Tangs. Hopefully he retires so the fan base doesn't pine over brining hime back bc of his Avs legend status. The 3rd Line could be rebuilt in my mind, starting with an Iggy trade to a contender. Going into next season I see the following locks bc they are good in that role or bc of their contracts

Grigo MacK Dutch
Landy Soderberg Rantanen
Comeau (x) (x)
McLeod Mitchell Wagner
(x)

Beauchemin EJ
Zads Barrie
Holden Gormley/Siemens
Stuart (might retire bc of his back)

The players are there, I'm confident of that since as soon as the Avs changed their neutral zone system and going a 1-3-1, the tides have started to turn in regards to zone entries. Teams are dumping the puck in vs having clean zone entries against us.

Rebuilding the 3rd line would be huge, but I think the Top 6 is there and the Top 4 for D.
- DDM-Coga

Iggy and Tangs are washed up at this point. I'm not sure if any team would take Iggy for next year but he doesn't want to waive. Tangs I don't think they will bring back. They didn't bring back Hejuk when he was finished either, so I think we should be fine.

Grigo still needs lots of work if he wants to stay in the NHL. His defence is terrible.
If we are lucky Stuart reties.

Iggy and Tangs are washed up at this point. I'm not sure if any team would take Iggy for next year but he doesn't want to waive. Tangs I don't think they will bring back. They didn't bring back Hejuk when he was finished either, so I think we should be fine.

Grigo still needs lots of work if he wants to stay in the NHL. His defence is terrible.
If we are lucky Stuart reties.
- Drij

I disagree on Grigos defensive play, he has been very strong when put in the bottom 6 role, hes not perfect but hes a legit Top 9 NHL player. Either on the LW with Mack or 3rd Line C is where his future lies with this team. Hes not perfect but hes a heck of a lot better defensively than he was in Buffalo, give him time and he will round out, hes only 21. Too lazy to look up the metrics on him, but is individual 5v5 cf% has been really strong this season for the most part

I think Iggy can be moved and will be moved. He didn't want to waive this season for family reasons, as uprooting his family mid school season, etc. After this season Im sure he will be open to chasing a cup of a team of his choosing after talking about with his family. However they will probably have to retain some salary to do so, and thats ok for 1 year. I think a team like Montreal would go for him, around 4, 4.5m price tag, so absorbing a 1M or so might not be the end of the world. Tangs is dead, just to many injuries has completely taken away his mobility, sad but its true so i agree there.

Stuart might not retire since hes on a over 35 deal and I think the avs still get hit with his cap if he does. Not entirely sure on that, but I see them LTIR him instead next season, if his back is really shot. I don't see any way he is back on the team, Healthy hes bought out, unhealthy hes retired or LTIR

I disagree on Grigos defensive play, he has been very strong when put in the bottom 6 role, hes not perfect but hes a legit Top 9 NHL player. Either on the LW with Mack or 3rd Line C is where his future lies with this team. Hes not perfect but hes a heck of a lot better defensively than he was in Buffalo, give him time and he will round out, hes only 21. Too lazy to look up the metrics on him, but is individual 5v5 cf% has been really strong this season for the most part

I think Iggy can be moved and will be moved. He didn't want to waive this season for family reasons, as uprooting his family mid school season, etc. After this season Im sure he will be open to chasing a cup of a team of his choosing after talking about with his family. However they will probably have to retain some salary to do so, and thats ok for 1 year. I think a team like Montreal would go for him, around 4, 4.5m price tag, so absorbing a 1M or so might not be the end of the world. Tangs is dead, just to many injuries has completely taken away his mobility, sad but its true so i agree there.

Stuart might not retire since hes on a over 35 deal and I think the avs still get hit with his cap if he does. Not entirely sure on that, but I see them LTIR him instead next season, if his back is really shot. I don't see any way he is back on the team, Healthy hes bought out, unhealthy hes retired or LTIR
- DDM-Coga

Yeah a lot depends on what iggy decides to do. I would be okay with either signing a guy to bottom 6 or seeing if someone in the A can make the push. Hishon and rantanen have been looking great together.

Comeau hishon rantanen

Then depending who we draft this year could be on the roster yet too.

Yeah a lot depends on what iggy decides to do. I would be okay with either signing a guy to bottom 6 or seeing if someone in the A can make the push. Hishon and rantanen have been looking great together.

Comeau hishon rantanen

Then depending who we draft this year could be on the roster yet too.
- Skywalker87

I am one of the biggest Hish guys on this thread, but I just don't see him as the solution. Bleakley and Compher will be pushing for that spot over him. I just think hes an AHL body now. The window has sort of closed on him in my mind.

I think if they move Iggy that either Radulov (Roy connection) or Okposo (EJs best buddy) will be coming to Denver.

This year was always going to be a write off year since there was such a dark cloud with the ROR Saga, The EJ, Mack, and Barrie extensions required.

Once they get the RFAs locked up, they will know where they stand roster wise and cap wise, thats when the panic button hits....the core will have expiry date so they better start to preform

Good game for Martinsen. Was not expecting a win tonight.

With the Roster situation, the 2 biggest issues in the top 9 are Iggy and Tangs, they just are too slow, especially Tangs. Hopefully he retires so the fan base doesn't pine over brining hime back bc of his Avs legend status. The 3rd Line could be rebuilt in my mind, starting with an Iggy trade to a contender. Going into next season I see the following locks bc they are good in that role or bc of their contracts

Grigo MacK Dutch
Landy Soderberg Rantanen
Comeau (x) (x)
McLeod Mitchell Wagner
(x)

Beauchemin EJ
Zads Barrie
Holden Gormley/Siemens
Stuart (might retire bc of his back)

The players are there, I'm confident of that since as soon as the Avs changed their neutral zone system and going a 1-3-1, the tides have started to turn in regards to zone entries. Teams are dumping the puck in vs having clean zone entries against us.

Rebuilding the 3rd line would be huge, but I think the Top 6 is there and the Top 4 for D.
- DDM-Coga

I'd be okay with Comeau Soderberg Martinsen as a fourth line. Trade Iginla, move on from Tanguay and sign Andrew Ladd making your top 6

Landeskog Mackinnon Duchene
Ladd Grigorenko Rantanen

Followed by

Comeau Soderberg Martinsen
Skille Mitchell Wagner
Everberg

Duchene and EJ get letters.

I'd be okay with Comeau Soderberg Martinsen as a fourth line. Trade Iginla, move on from Tanguay and sign Andrew Ladd making your top 6

Landeskog Mackinnon Duchene
Ladd Grigorenko Rantanen

Followed by

Comeau Soderberg Martinsen
Skille Mitchell Wagner
Everberg

Duchene and EJ get letters.
- martok2309

I sort of like that, but I would be worried about Depth, Top 6 locks solid but if Martinsen is hanging around to be promoted bc of injuries...ugh not good. However a Ladd Soderberg Rantanen line would be a really bully of a line, that could be trouble for other teams.

Maybe we can bring back McGinn

Ladd MacK Dutch
Landy Soderberg Rant
McGinn Grigo Comeau

I'd be okay with Comeau Soderberg Martinsen as a fourth line. Trade Iginla, move on from Tanguay and sign Andrew Ladd making your top 6

Landeskog Mackinnon Duchene
Ladd Grigorenko Rantanen

Followed by

Comeau Soderberg Martinsen
Skille Mitchell Wagner
Everberg

Duchene and EJ get letters.
- martok2309

Trading Iggy gets hard unless the Avs take money back. He will want to go to a playoff team (few of which can flat out absorb his salary) and the Avs would likely want a D-man back.

Who says no?

Iggy for Wideman
Iggy for Kindl
Iggy + 3rd got Ryan Ellis (prob Nash who is going to be in RFA hell next year)
Iggy / Barrie / pick for Okposo / Hamonic