All Things Avs - Latest Comments

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Pollardinio — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:36:09 -0000

Folks, you all know by now that I have always been a Staz supporter, even though I also agree that his salary does not match his numbers the past few seasons. Let me just say that I know that this is only the IIHF Hockey Worlds, but it still counts a lot to have the kind of talent around him that he needs to put points on the board like he used to. In 20 World Championship games (so far) + 6 Olympic games, he has 8 goals, 12 assists and 20 points. He would still be a point for game player in the NHL if he had the same talent he had when he was surrounded with the Brunette, Sakic, and Smyth type of players. Here is the catch: I think the Avs have those players, but they are young and still developing. I still stand my ground and say Duchene will be a monster scorer when he figures it out this year or next....or next. Lord knows about anyone else besides Landy, O'Reilly, Mueller and possibly Jones. We still have some Winger skates to fill this year and next. Big time.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Steve Barnes — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:44:31 -0000

Who plays defense on that line? lol no Aaron bad bad

I don't want Hejduk standing in the way of any acquisitions, Free-agent or trades. Give him a camp invite to see if we have a spot for him. Beyond that NO

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Ramon — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:37:35 -0000

Even a "not-so-good-Duke" is a better-than-average-NHLer. He was a force in shootouts and still has incredible skills. One more year should be ok. A young team also needs some veterans.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Aaron Musick — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:50:09 -0000

How about the Avs bring him back, put him between Mueller and Duchene and the Avs can have a bounceback line?

That leaves us to either re-sign or upgrade Jones and get some better 4th liners and we should be good on the forward lines.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Jon E. — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:49:46 -0000

Look, I believe in loyalty as much as the next guy but this is a business too. Part of why this "rebuild" is taking so long is because the Avalanche have been a loyal organization to players that put this franchise on the map. Bringing back Foote/Forsberg, etc. I would never say they were liabilities to the roster nor would I say Milan is, HOWEVER, they ARE taking roster spots of young guys that have to build this team to be successful going forward after they're gone - you delay the progress of that by keeping these guys on the roster. In the end, it's a business though, if Milan stays on you can't keep him as a top 6 guy if he doesn't produce. I honestly didn't think he was that bad when he was playing beside McLeod. It's a nice combo of a grinder who forecheck's hard, can dig out the puck and feed it to someone that has hands. Certainly brings an interesting dynamic, but who knows whether that was an issue for Milan. If so, he'd never admit it, but don't kid yourself if you don't think every person has an ego regardless of whether they are humble about it or not and I'm sure that becomes part of the realization that hey, maybe I just don't have it like I used to. I think resigning him depends on what the organization decides to do in free agency. If they aren't going to do anything but see what they have with the kids in the farm at training camp then resign him.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Jon E. — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:42:47 -0000

He played plenty of top 6 minutes during the year and the result was the same.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Cmrn631 — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:35:35 -0000

I just hope McGinn picks up where he left off last season and his play after the trade wasn't just the intial rush of playing for a new team, same with Downie.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Leandro — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:19:15 -0000

Stastny performance in this World Championship in my opinion makes one thing pretty clear, he need decent wingers playing with him, it's hard to make points playing with guys like Galiardi, the proof of Stastny performance having a big improvement was McGinn, since McGinn came in Colorado the Stastny performance has been so much better. Even Jones had a better performance playing with McGinn, it's all about chemistry. I'm looking forward to see Stastny playing a full season with McGinn at his wing.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Avsolutely — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:50:34 -0000

Duchene has potential for sure. Its more like a Patrick Kane than a Bobby Ryan though. Ryan is a physical player and Kane is more of a dipsy doo type. I am not bashing Matty D. I think Duchene will have a very good year next season and will use this year as motivation. If not....... well.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Avsolutely — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:45:01 -0000

I loved watching Hejduk play as an Avalanche. As a captain of a hockey team, you should be held accountable when your young players need guidance on the ice. I really thought this team lacked leadership. The honorary "C" going to the last remnants of the Avalanche of old must begin a new. I want Duke to retire as an Av. Can he play 3rd line minutes? 4th?

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

toddb3 — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:44:07 -0000

Are they talking with Duchene, O'Reilly, Johnson, and O'Brien? We know they don't like to negotiate with players during the season, and I can understand that, but what's the excuse now?

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Willopad the Merciless — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:01:39 -0000

Snowshoes. Please retire, Milan.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Raphael — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:20:01 -0000

If he's okay with diminished ice time, the Av's should bring him back. One bad year isn't necessarily the end of the line, even for an older player. I remember everyone thinking that Teemu Selanne was washed up after he had a terrible season with the Avs and he was only 33-34 at the time. Granted, Selanne's more an exception than the rule, but if he can still produce at 41, I'm willing to take on the chance on Milan being a contributor next season at 37.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Cmrn631 — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:47:50 -0000

Well it's unfortunate because if Duchene could step it up it could have a trickle down effect and elevate everyones game around him, he has the potential to be as good or better then Bobby Ryan(Duchene that is).

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Cmrn631 — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:44:13 -0000

I love Hejduk but I would only want him back if he felt like last season was a fluke and he could come back with a chip on his shoulder and go out on a high note. I also think he should hand over the captaincy to O'Reilly or whoever the team feels is the real leader of the future, no disrespect to Hejduk but I remember a few years back when Brind'amour gave up his "C" to Eric Stall and it was no big deal. I wouldn't blame Hejduk if he went to a contender as long as it wasn't the divisional rival or the Red WIngs.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

ZAvs — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:43:07 -0000

Preferences: retire Duke, sign with the Avs and do not go to another team - in that order. I will forever love his play, attitude, demeanor, {insert something nice to say here}. I do think it is over though. My heart died when Foppa left, turned me into a zombie till he came back - I don't want it to happen again.

Duke simply can't keep up with the "kids" anymore at this level and it is sad to watch. Don't sully a fantastic career.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Smell the Glove — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:27:37 -0000

I was talking about 2011-2012, which was the only year, outside of his rookie year, that he didn't score more than 20 goals.

And while I agree that scoring goals is not the end-all, be-all, and certainly Hejduk deserves credit for what he does away from the puck, his job is to score goals. It's what he's been paid to do his whole career. The fact that he's not a liability when he's not scoring is why he continues to get playing time despite some pretty dry patches. He's a good soldier.

He's production has been on a downward trend for some years now which I think can be attributed to his slowing down, but also the team around him has been rather uninspired too, at least offensively. Call it a gut feeling but I think an Avalanche team with some actual goal scorers will do Hejduk a world of good. The question remains where that scoring will come from.

Re: Cody McLeod: Avalanche player grades – C+

Smell the Glove — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:16:24 -0000

Winston Churchill said, "I like a man who grins when he fights."

I love Cody McLeod for who he is and how he plays. I think other teams perhaps would disagree but in my (possibly biased) opinion McLeod does not play dirty, or at least he's not trying to hurt anyone out there. He stands up for his teammates and the other team is always aware when he's on the ice, they have to be.

I'm going to be very disappointed if he's not back on the team next year.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Puckmeup — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:15:48 -0000

When you say "last season", do you mean the 2010-2011 season or 2011-2012 season? I only ask because because I felt like it struggled greatly during the 2010-2011 season much more than the most recent season. I thought he made very smart plays with the puck and tried to play defensively at times, whereas the year before, he looked so disinterested in all of it. I think some people are too focused on goals only when there's so much more to this game than scoring. Obviously, we all love that aspect of the game too, but I think a guy like Hejduk serves more than just a scoring purpose on and off the ice.

Personally, if he decides to play another year, I hope the Avs resign him instead of some other team. Otherwise, let him walk as an Av and retire his number.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Puckmeup — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:59:46 -0000

Maybe when you're playing next to Bobby Ryan it's easier to score and to make an offensive contribution. I can't see too many guys messing that up, even on the Avs!

Re: Cody McLeod: Avalanche player grades – C+

Puckmeup — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:54:29 -0000

I don't know...McLeod is clearly a role player and serves his role nicely with the Avs. He's not gonna be that guy that scores tons of goals in a season, we all know that by now, don't we? Point is, the Can-Sucks saw some value in him because of his grit and how he draws the penalties by frustrating the hell outta guys. So remind me again why the Avs no longer need a guy like that? Seriously though, we can't expect Downy and SOB to be the only tough guys who are willing to stand up and fight. I say keep this guy for another year or two and see if his game progresses. If it doesn't, then trade him away.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

a fan — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:48:29 -0000

If the AVS have any class at all, they will keep him. How was he supposed to score playing on the third and fourth line. He always was and still can be a shooter, but he needs someone that can get him the puck.

Re: Stastny delivers for Team USA

Cmrn631 — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:22:26 -0000

It's awesome to see all these Avs players tearing it up at the worlds. My only question is why can't Stastny do the same when playing fro the Avalanche just the fact that he's in the same breath as some of these guys is a huge accomplishment he has to be one of the top point getters not only for the U.S but in the tournament.

Re: What the Avalanche can learn from teams still in the NHL playoffs

Smell the Glove — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:09:56 -0000

I see a lot of comments begging to stay away from Semin and I get that people want a player who is predictable and passionate, which Semin is not. But people should also want a player that can give you goals, which Semin can do.

If you haven't done so recently, I invite you to look at the career stats for this young man. He doesn't get paid to play defense or make contact. He gets paid to score a boatload of goals.

Re: Milan Hejduk, Avalanche “talking”

Smell the Glove — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:05:15 -0000

Hejduk's play in the second half last year just really didn't make a lot of sense. Based on feeling alone, seems to me it was a bit of an anomaly and he'd be worth the roster spot and then some. I don't know what he's worth and I can't imagine he'd get big minutes, but he's definitely still got value. 36 years old is hardly old.

Also, he had some comments last year that made me think that he'd take a diminished playing role in stride so I'm not sure if fewer minutes and 3rd line playing duty (+ PP minutes) would be a deal breaker for him.