The Avs' front office have intimated that they are cautious about spending due to the impending CBA. I would suggest that they are being far too cautious to the point of (maybe) being disingenuous.

According to the wonderful Capgeek.com the Avs are sitting at 29th in the league for spending with $14,898,928 in cap space. Only the Islanders spend less - $300,000 under the Avs, which is about 200k under the league minimum for a fourth-liner. Arguably, that makes a lot of sense for the Islanders, since their financial future is in doubt and they may be relocating from Nassau Colisseum.

The Avalanche have to sign a lot of players this year and some players will definitely be getting raises. All of which must be accounted for. In fact, only eight players are signed through next season - Stastny, Landeskog, Varlamov, Giguere, Kobasew, Hejda, O'Byrne and Barrie.

The big names all need a contract: Johnson, O'Reilly and Duchene. Perversely, Duchene's poor play this season (by his standards) may help the front office by reducing the amount that he would be paid. O'Reilly will get a significant increase on his $900,000 salary as will Johnson ($2,600,000). If Hejda can be paid $3.25 mil, you can bet that Johnson will get that and more.

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This year, I have GCL. It has allowed me to choose my commentary and often I choose the away team's, so that I can gain a perspective on how my favourite team is perceived.

This has given me a new-found respect for McNab and Haynes.

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Sorry, I'm not trying to lure you here under false pretences. Well, okay, I am, but please read on!

Here's the (fictional) scenario:

Crosby has returned to NHL action after his latest concussion and he has played 20 games, scoring 24 points. BAM! he gets knocked sparko and is stretchered off the ice. He is later diagnosed with "concussion-like symptoms."

Penguins' GM, Ray Shero decides that whilst the Penguins are still winning without Crosby, he needs to take a long term view and Crosby keeps getting concussed. Therefore, enough is enough and Crosby is on the trading block.

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http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2011/5/12/2168648/philadelphia-flyers-new-york-rangers-2012-winter-classic

Dear John,

Perhaps it might've escaped your attention, but HBO's award winning show isn't audio only, so yes, we really must insist on having cameras in your dressing room.

We're sorry that you find it intrusive, but after a while, you'll forget they're there. I do suspect though, that you may be concerned about the audience perceiving you to be a jackass. I can allay all your fears because I can guarantee there won't be any misperceptions.

A quick search on YouTube confirms that your upstanding reputation will not be tarnished. (Any more than it is). We are really looking forward to this series and even next year's, where we will focus on the other Eastern Conference teams which haven't had too much exposure.

We look forward to working with you and the NY Rangers and we are sure that these four episodes will be full of excitement and drama, some of which may even occur on the ice.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Hugh Jaction

HBO

I think it's fair to say that there is a little disappointment around our team this year. With some big additions on the blue line and in goal, I think it's fair to say that we were expecting a bit more than what we are getting. It's starting to look a bit grim:

The Avs failed to extend their 3 game winning streak with a big 6-0 loss against Vancouver.

Stastny, Wilson, Mueller, Olver injured and Porter suspended (possibly) and we face Calgary tonight. The team that laid last year's St Valentine's Day massacre on us.

Humping the cap floor like it's a Playboy bunny.

Less than average record (13-14-1)

Colorado currently sit 12th in the Western Conference and 21st in the league.

If Calgary beat Colorado tonight, they will overtake Colorado with a game in hand.

However: All is not lost! Follow me over the jump to turn those frowns upside down

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I hope I got the day right, or I'm going to look very silly :-)

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in the United States. I hope you are all enjoying some well-earned rest and lots of yummy turkey. 

I would like to give thanks for the following:

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It has been many weeks since I last came to this blog

I have not leapt upon every morsel and crumb of news and opinion during the offseason. Alas, I have had to work on some personal issues.

I have been trying to catch up, this last week, with all the news and opinions of the last six weeks or so.

Some things have eluded me......

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Adrian Dater is the Avalanche beat writer for the Denver Post. He has been covering them since, well, forever. He is also the author of "Blood Feud," a book that details the war on the ice between the Avs and the Dead things. (Rivalry is too weak a word to describe it. I still get shivers every time I see Roy launching into that attack on Vernon).

Unfortunately, there appears to be a groundswell of negative opinion of this beat writer around these parts. Some of the criticism levelled at him is unfair, some of it fair, in my opinion.

The main beefs that I can tell are:

• For a person with unrivalled access to the Avs, some of the big stories are not followed up on - ie. players with concussions and how they are getting on. Even if nothing has changed, it would be nice for a little update now and then to say that.
• Then calling people idiots for them daring to ask why there is no follow up about it.
  
• Being outscooped. Whilst AD was active on twitter during the draft, he was slow getting the news out about a couple of trades in Free Agency.
• There appears to be an undercurrent of bitterness running through his writing. Whether that is on his blog, his official column or in his book. He mentions a few times in his book that to be accused of homerism is the worst sin a pro sports reporter can do, so I wonder if he is determined to be so far the other way, that his writing reflects that (in a negative way) on the Avs.

On the other hand:

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On sale from tomorrow from the website here:

 www.GoAirForceFalcons.com

As per Dater

http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2011/07/06/burgundywhite-game-returns-to-afa/7610/

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So, I had the misfortune to read this little article from Puck Daddy. Ryan Lambert is the writer who thinks that George McPhee is the world's best GM.

The full article is here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy

First, he somehow conned the Avalanche into trading him a first- and a second-round pick for Semyon Varlamov(notes). The kid was a third-string goalie who didn't play in the team's postseason run and was on the verge of sulking all the way back to the KHL (as all Russian-born players who can't hack it Stateside do). This despite the fact that, had the Avs simply signed him to an offer sheet for the price they eventually paid him, the compensation would have been just a second-round pick.

And that all ignores the fact, by the way, that without a competent goaltending tandem in Colorado (which the Avs don't boast), that first-rounder will almost certainly be a lottery pick.

Bold emphasis is mine.

And this little gem which points to an article with Woody Paige: (Emphasis not mine)

Colorado Avalanche: A non-hockey writer writes about hockey. On Varlamov: "Not exactly Roy, but a start." Hell, it's not exactly Craig Anderson

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That's right.

I am glad that Joe Sakic is not playing for the Avs anymore. He has a job in the front office. Fine, that is the best place for him. Just keep him off the ice.

Why?

Because I love Joe. His work ethic, his attitude, his skills, his personality. Reading the article on Paul Kariya's concussion issues made me think that all that could be lost if he continued to play in the NHL. Concussions seem to be either more frequent or more debilitating than I remember and yet the NHL continue to pussyfoot around them.

The thought of him sitting at home in a dark room, snapping at his kids, unable to co-ordinate himself properly, wearing dark glasses if he goes out and just generally struggling, is awful.

All we are, is our personality, our memories and if they get damaged, or lost, then what are we?

I am pleased that Joe got out when he did and I'm sure his family would agree

Ryan Smyth to leave LA?

So, if this were true and Smyth did go back to Edmonton, that would clog a team that is thick with wingers. It would help LA shift his $6.25 mil per year contract, to a team that could handle it. To date, they have 14 players on the roster with $22,150,000 in cap space.

Why is that intriguing to Colorado? (Who, incidentally also have 14 players signed, but with $27,254,167 free).

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Okay, so I had a ton of things to bounce off the wise folks here on MHH and I didn't really want to do 4 or 5 different posts, so I have thrown them all in here as I would love to have people's opinions......

Mind the jump

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Okay, so I know that it won't actually be called the Winnipeg Thrashers, but does anyone else find it bizarre how the Phoenix saga has gone on for years and years, with probably millions of words written about it, yet someone pops up and says "I'd like to buy your team please."

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When I was but Nemesis22 1/2, one of the many things I admired about hockey was that it's players were incredibly tough. Real men (and women) who would shrug off a shoulder crunching hit, or a crosscheck to the teeth. Someone once said "blood is only red sweat."

However, in the last few years, there seems to be a very nasty trend emerging. One of embellishment, or diving, if you will. This reprehensible practice is roundly condemned by team managers, until one of their players do it. I am sure that Avs players have taken the odd dive to sell the call to the refs, but it is dishonourable and despicable (in the truest sense of the word).

For those two people who missed it, here is Joe Thornton's Olympic quality dive, from Puck Daddy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Joe-Thornton-8217-s-Best-Actor-nominatio?urn=nhl-wp4457

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Dear Kroenke Family,

I hope that you are all well and enjoying your Rams purchase.  With the dulcet tones of Terry Frei ringing gently in my ears, can I respectfully put forward a few points for your consideration?

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From NHL.com:

The gold standard of deadline acquisitions this season has to be Chris Stewart, however, whose remarkable start with St. Louis is helping Blues fans forget about Boyes. Stewart has an impressive seven goals and two assists in nine games since the trade.

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Tin foil hats ahoy!

With so many Canadians clamouring for another NHL team Gary Bettman stated on January 29th 2011 that the NHL is not going to expand. That leaves no room for manoeuvre - if an outside agency wants to move into NHL management  (hi Jim Balsillie) , they have to buy out an existing one and relocate them to their market of choice.

Is there something sinister going on in Kroenke's mind? Are we going to lose the Avalanche to Quebec?

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Anderson, Stewart and Shattenkirk have been traded for Johnson, McClement and a plywood goalie. Certainly, I was shocked as I thought Stewart and Shattenkirk were integral pieces of the Avs jigsaw. Agreed, it had been a long time since Stewy earned his GD tag, but he was just coming off injury and getting up to speed. Shatty had been playing okay, I thought, but it is hard to tell with the Avs playing like a cesspit of suck.

However, even after a few days of calming thoughts and reading reasoned arguments to and from, something is still sticking in my craw and I think it's time to get it out.

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But I'm hoping that some of my smart MHH friends can help me out with a few questions about hockey.

Ready?

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Dear Colorado Avalanche.

My name is Phil and I am an Avaholic. The condition started in 95, when I watched a video recording from Channel 5, in the middle of the night, here in the UK. We had poor reception, so the picture was fuzzy and could only be discerned from across the room. Up close, it looked like a swarm of black and white bees in a snowstorm.

Having said that, it was clear enough to see a sport that was fast, exciting and brutal and literally raised my heartrate. I couldn't actually see the puck, but by watching the players, I could guess where it was. Sure, I had been into hockey since the release of EA Hockey on the Sega Megadrive (Genesis, for my transatlantic cousins), but this was the first time I had seen it "live."

Since then, I was addicted. At one point, I was having family problems and seriously considered changing my last name to Forsberg as a way to remove my family surname. I have watched local teams and will, one day, make my pilgrimage to the hallowed ground that is the Pepsi Centre.

Now, please bear that in mind, that I love you all. Anyone who dons the burgandy and blue will always be like family to me.

Unfortunately, I do the following because I love you. It is tough love.

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Over half the season has gone and if this slump continues, the Avs will miss the playoffs for the second time in three years. Winning conceals a lot of flaws, but our PK has been pretty awful all year, the PP has not been bad at all, although it is trending downward at the moment.

Special teams win games. This is no secret to anyone who follows hockey. Why, then, is the PK so godawful and why isn't that being addressed?

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So, just thought I would throw in a couple of things as I haven't seen much coverage here@

Wolski traded to the Rangers

http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2011/1/10/1927161/wojtek-wolski-trade-rangers-michal-rozsival-coyotes

This is WW's 3rd team in a calendar year. Sacco must be a fricking genius to have gotten so much out of him when he was here. Tippett didn't have much patience at all to have flipped him so quickly.

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