Hello from the UK!

As a transplanted Avs fan, I've been agonizing over the lack of production on the top two lines. Since there is no chance of drafting high this year, I've been looking at teams that need help at center and have depth at wing. The two I could find were St. Louis and Ottawa.

I think we all agree that Duchene and O'Reilly aren't going anywhere. Stastny, on the other hand, seems a little slow of foot/lacking passion for the team management is trying to create. Here's what I could see legitimately happening:

Stastny + Barrie for Alex Steen or Andy McDonald + Vladimir Teresenko

or

Stastny + Barrie for Mika Zibanejad + Milan Michalek or Chris Neil

The Avs may have to give up more to get the assets from Ottawa but I think that either Zibanejad (even though he's listed as a center, he goes hard to the boards and may be a better option at wing) or Teresenko would make a killer top line to complement the revelation that is the thirst line.

What do you think? 

I just ran into a story on thn about Kirill Kabanov, a prospect projected by someone on nhl.com to go to the Avs in a mock draft. The main problem with him has been his off ice behavior and apparent lack of commitment to playing in North America. That, apparently, has changed.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33848-The-Straight-Edge-Ups-and-downs-of-the-NHL-Scouting-Combine.html

There is no doubt in his ability (6'3" "gifted" LW) and if Denver is clammoring for a "loose-lipped" star this may be the perfect match. 

What do you think? Should the Avs risk a Brandon Marshall-esque situation?

I was just perusing the web for Avalanche prospects and I came across this article about Denis Parshin from a year ago. Whether his anger is still intact enough to accept playing in the minors is up for debate but with the probable loss of Darren Haydar from Lake Erie, wouldn't it make sense for them to try and pursue Parshin now?

Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche): “Well, I’ll play in the minor leagues” (translation from Soviet Sport)

“Alas, Nemchinov didn’t want to reach a compromise. During the off-season my agent talked to him. I’ve asked him to explain that if CSKA can satisfy my financial conditions, I’m ready to remain.

And Nemchinov?

He firmly said no. That was absurd: my agent started lowering the requests, but Nemchinov opposed. He only wants that sum promised on April 30th during our first – and only – meeting before the court decision. He didn’t call me even once, in spite he does have my number.

Why Nemchinov doesn’t consider a trade?

A trade will happen later, according to his words. But at first, he said, I should sign a contract. But after all a trade can happen also next year. Or they won’t trade at all. However, now it’s possible to trade players without contract. We suggested him a number of possibilities which we saw as profitable for CSKA. Nemchinov rejected. I’m under the impression that for him it’s a matter of principle. 

Do you think you’ll go overseas now? According to sources from Colorado, they don’t wait you there.

Well, then I’ll play in the minor leagues. It might be useful to improve.

Last night was actually a pretty good night for the Avalanche in the standings: Nashville lost to Dallas, Vancouver lost to Edmonton, and Anaheim lost to Calgary (all in regulation). The Calgary win is a little frightening but it stifled a good run by the Ducks who's playoff chances took a hit. The Avalanche now have a game in hand on Vancouver and two games in hand on Nashville. They are two points behind Nashville and 5 points behind Vancouver. 

What this all boils down to is that with a win tonight, the Avalanche can pull to within 3 points of the division lead, move ahead of Nashville into 5th (even though they would be tied in points), and tie the Kings for points if they win in regulation. I still believe in the Avs! NW division champs baby!

Tonight's teams to root for: 

St. Louis (playing Detroit) and Anaheim (playing Vancouver).

Go AVS!

I am a modest man in my predictions. As an optimist, I hope wildly for the acquisition of a new "young gun" with some real charisma (where are you Ian Laperriere?!), an unbelievable shot and sick skills to come to the Rockies on March 3 in exchange for Marek Svatos and Darcy Tucker. Oh youthful folly.

What I think could happen that may just be under the radar-

Apparently the Avalanche are now seeking a goaltender to replace Budaj for the stretch run (according to Aaron Musick). The hot name is Carey Price but I don't think that's a viable option. I do think that Budaj could go for Martin Biron in NYI but it seems like the Avs are trying to go bigger than that- perhaps the injured Nikolai Khabibulin for Budaj and Liles. He has been a backup and the Oilers would probably do anything to get out of the miserable contract they signed him to (his cap hit is not awful at 3.75 mil but the possibility of his retiring is). An aging goalie with a whole lot of skill seems better suited to a backup role for the next 3 years and Anderson could have confidence taking a night off once the thrill of being a starter rubs off next year. If Andy signs a similar deal to Jonas Hiller (4 year 18 mil), the 2 year cap hit of (4.5+3.75) 8.25 mil is steep but not unmanageable. If Magnus Pajaarvi Svensson were included, the Avs might make it a deal by including Svatos, Hensick, or Stoa. 

Speaking of Hensick, the Avs may be inclined to move him due to his RFA status on July 1 and his lack of stick in the system that once touted his skills. A possible destination for a blockbuster is none other than the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have many problems on the horizon (48 mil committed with only 3 aging d-men signed, no proven #1 goaltender, the possibility of one Ian Laperriere retiring  and leaving the team with a 1.16 mil cap hit for nothing, and a crowded left wing with Scott Hartnell @ 4.2 mil, Simon Gagne @ 5 mil, and James van Riemsdyk @1.4 mil). Can you say target? Hartnell, Gagne, or van Riemsdyk would solidify the weak LW position immensely and their ages are 27, 29 and 20 respectively. The Flyers will want to move some cap space while not messing up the future or chemistry on their way to the playoffs that they pretty much guaranteed to their fans by trading for Chris Pronger at the beginning of the season. 

The Flyers need a goalie and the fact that the Avs are considered one of the front-runners for Carey Price's services may be a sign of a potential multi team deal (the one thing the Avs do not need is a #1 goalie). Price's salary is reasonable right now and that's something the Flyers need with only $800,000 in cap space but they also need to move some assets to even fit him in @ 2.2 mil. Enter the Avalanche. The avalanche could easily absorb one of the Big LW hits (Gagne or Hartnell) giving them room to breathe and allowing van Riemsdyk to continue to progress on the 1st or 2nd line. They would probably be more inclined to move Hartnell due to his contract coming of age in 2013. So...a possible trade could be-

Budaj, Hensick, 2nd Rd Pick--------Price

Price, Stoa------ Hartnell, Patrick Maroon (LW prospect from Philadelphia), Brian Boucher

I would love for Lappy to come back for Tucker as part of that but I can't see him not being a part of Philly's playoff chemistry. 

New trade thoughts for an intensely boring olympic day.