Thank you! Thank you for just. Saying what needs to be said! I agree with everything you said. ~Christie
ferdelance
· 1 year ago
I couldn't agree more. I saw Budaj and Theodore at a practice this spring, at the end of the season. Watching the two was like night and day. Theodore's work ethic was evident, he practiced hard, and spend a long time on the ice, compared to Budaj, who seemed like he was just going through the motions. It's like the team's management is concerned about nothing more than babying Granato, not wanting to go out on a limb and do what it takes to win--spend the money to bring in good players, and draft wisely and build up a pool of talent it can draw from. But even that is an impossibility, considering how many good, young players have been traded off for a short-term gain. I hope somebody on that team gets a fire lit under them so they can have a good season.
josh
· 1 year ago
i concur, adrian. i don't see any areas in which the team improved their lineup compared to last year. and budaj, after 3 games, looks like he's going to blow a bunch more than he'll steal. but it's early. i think theo was a good deal at 4.5 mil a year, especially considering they had the cap space to make it work.
the upside is that i have a lot more free evenings now that i'm not too excited about this team.
Al
· 1 year ago
At least Theodore is sucking it up in Washington right now. After a few slow starts and being pulled, they stuck Johnson in and actually won a game. I hope that's a sick feeling of Deja Vu for Jose.
Sigh. The Avs looked terrible all over the ice tonight. Boods with the bad rebounds, the lousy penalty killing...
My two thoughts on tonight's game: I still frickin hate Todd Bertuzzi (How is it possible he's still playing???) and Iginla is a total ***** for fighting with his visor on.
Jordan
· 1 year ago
I agree with this 100%. Giguere should never have gotten the postion in the first place. We have the worst #1Goalie/Coach/GM combo in the league and that will kill us over a season. Can you imagine the heat if this was in Toronto or Montreal? Av's fans need to be more vocal than ever before and save this season, if for nothing else, but to give Sakic a chance in his last season. There are 5-6 golaies out there that are back-ups that can be twice as good as Budaj; Ie: Halak, Fernandez, Lalime, not to mention the one they can have for FREE Khabibulin! It is very sad when one player (Budaj) is costing the team all these points; and even when/if he gets his game together we know the Coaching will be an issue. Remember the rumors about San Jose's new coach coming to Colorado? They are undefeated thus far.
Jared
· 1 year ago
We are going to finish last if we keep the goaltenders we have right now and don't make any changes. Budaj is a top notch and great BACK UP but we need a real starter. It boggles my mind how we have ended up here. Look where we were just 7 year ago, its ridiculous. It seems like management set out to destroy this team over the summer this was really one of the worst off seasons I've ever witnessed, and I've been a fan since the jerseys were blue and yellow so that's saying something. I don't like to talk bad about players because they work hard to make roster and they do their job. This is the fault of management so thank you for this post Mr. Dater
Jared
· 1 year ago
Correction: BLUE AND WHITE. My apologies for any confusion
jimbo
· 1 year ago
Hmm, Dater says it's management's fault, but then spends 3/4 of his time blaming Budaj and reminiscing about the good old days with Theodore. Didn't you watch Theodore when he was here, Dater? Even at half price, Theo's the most overpaid goalie in the league. The one good move the Avs made this offseason was to kick him to the curb.
I agree with some of Dater's points... letting Bruno go and replacing him with Tucker, signing Raycroft, handing the job back to Granato... but enough with harping on Budaj already. His defense just stands around watchin the play, doesn't hit anybody, doesn't tie up anybody. Few goalies would be winning with the way this team's playing in their own end, but it's so much easier just to blame the goalie...
Clyde , Severance,CO .
· 1 year ago
Why the heck is Joe Sakic on the point on the power play also ? He is much better down lower with his wicked wrist and exceptional passing are better utilized . The 5 on 5 play has been very good but special teams and goaltending is killing this team now .
Johnny
· 1 year ago
Anyone hear that sound. It's the hammer hitting the nail on the head.
Austin
· 1 year ago
Finally, somebody who's mad enough to tear down the wall. Way to go, Dater.
Jason
· 1 year ago
It's almost like they want to beat Toronto to last place so they can get the number one pick. I disagree with Dater though, I didn't like Theo and really he was over paid. The big loss was letting Bruno go. How stupid was that? Our PP still sucks, and our D looks slow. Why is Joe on the point? I didn't work last year it won't work this year! Dater maybe you should send them tape of last years PP I think the Avs lost their copy.
Bob Roberts
· 1 year ago
Having watched all three games so far, and it the system that Coach G wants to run seems to be working. Offensively, this team can explode. Tucker played better and the 4 lines roll pretty good.The problem, sadly, is that it is going to leave the goalie exposed from time to time and he is going to need to make saves. Last night may have been Budaj's worst game. There were three goals that should have been prevented. The first was a catching the puck in the air. You cannot miss that one. The second was on the backhander from Conroy. Budaj took a good angle, squared up and left the 5-hole WIDE open. Just poor. And finally on the 2nd Bertuzzi goal, not only was there a HUGE rebound, but Budaj seemd to realize his mistake and got over late. The rebound was so big that if he had reacted rather than thought about it, he would have been in better position.
Overall, and it is early, with even a competent goalie in place, the Avs could easily be 2-1 or 3-0.
Bonnie
· 1 year ago
Jose was NOT the answer in goal. All this love, NOW, for a guy who showed nothing until the end of his contract year -and then leaves the Avs for a million more a year? All we heard during Jose's term here was how stupid the Avs org was for paying a backup goalie 6 million dollars, and now we're supposed to forget that and just remember 5 pretty good months of play? Jose has admitted in interviews that when he heard the Caps were not doing well in their negotiations with Huet, he had his agent call them and begin talks. That doesn't sound like a guy who's heart was really into staying here, does it?
Our much loved Dmen are biting as bad as Budaj right now. They look great, on paper, but come on! Leaving men wide open, leaving guys to walk right in and shoot and leaving Budaj to try and make a save is not what I expected from our top 6 dmen. They deserve a lot of credit for this mess too.
I do, however, love our offense. We are outshooting and are scoring some very nice goals. That's our bright side for now.
Tucker's line is almost identical to Laperriere. I have no clue why the Avs let Brunette go for Tucker. I like the way Tucker plays, but he's basically Ian Laperriere or one of the Cody Macs.
This Avalanche season seems like it will painfully be akin to the Rockies season that ended in spring training.
I hope I'm wrong.
Peter
· 1 year ago
Three points: 1- Don't like the Granato hiring, 2- Don't like discarding Brunette if a younger kid doesn't get a shot, 3- Can't stand Arnason- we need Hensick!
agree with jimbo, I'm glad Theodore is gone - never liked the guy. I was glad to see Budaj get the starting role, but he's played poorly so far. Budaj has the potential and now, faced with adversity, he must come through. I'm going to hold my breath and wait a few more games until I start freaking out
Travis33
· 1 year ago
A couple of things to fix the situation:
1) Move Jones to the third line and let Sakic play with a skilled forward like Svatos. The third line needs some definition of its role. Right now is it supposed to score with Svats or agitate with Tucker? And Arnasson just stands there not doing much of anything.
2) Get Khabibulin. Yeah, I wish there were better options but maybe we can trade Budaj to Chicago to get them to cover some of the Bulin's pay. Right now, we have no other choice. If the goaltending situation stays the way it is, the Avs finish last. (That is of course, unless Raycroft is somehow magnificent)
3) CLEAR THE PUCK & support the puck. Calgary was all over the Avs skaters last night and there was no one around to help with the outlet pass so D-men were stuck making risky passes that were easily getting picked off. And someone should clue the PKers that its ok to ice the puck on the penalty kill...JUST GET IT OUT. Why are you trying to create a breakout rush when you're a man down?!!
4) Did I say get rid of Budaj already? Good, do it.
C.roxx
· 1 year ago
I agree totally, even though I am a Boods supporter. With that said all I can say is look to St Louis, where the power play has changed and is working!, the goal tending is fantastic, (Legace and they picked up Mason as back up), the coaching is tough (Andy Murray)and they have an influx of youth and a base of veterans. And most importantly, look to their management, you couldn't ask for better people that John Davidson & Larry Pleau. I currently live in KC and see alot of Blues games and in just a couple of years they have turned it all around, the Avs could take a page from their book for sure!
Sara
· 1 year ago
Anyone hear that sound. It’s the hammer hitting the nail on the head.
Comment by Johnny — October 15, 2008 @ 5:30 am
EXACTLY!!!!!
Tom
· 1 year ago
I agree with most said here, especially Sakic shouldn't be on the point. He is much better down low and doesn't have the powerful shot needed at the point. The PP has become too easy to defend against because of the lack of point shots. Ryan Smyth has become ineffective on the PP due to this, and thats what he made his living at. I also agree we need to be more vocal and put pressure on management for changes. Its quite apparent there are some needed.
Eric
· 1 year ago
I agree with Jimbo here, if some think Theodore was great, then why did we spend 2 years bashing on him? It was the right move to let him go and I will never had regrets about it. Here some of the reasons why Giguere didnt pickup a better goalie; he was hand cuffed by Sakic who took forever to make his decision to comeback, secondo; there were nobody very interesting as FA goalie to pickup. And maybe he wants to keep some money if Forsberg wants to return...so he took a gamble on Budaj, which is a good kid and has poise to succeed. If I was the GM , I would probably done to same. With old Sakic and Forsberg out of the picture next summer, I'm sure the management will do a better job.
Tom
· 1 year ago
Oh, anyone notice the Sharks are 4-0 under coach McLellan. Avs decided to give Granato another chance instead of going after new blood with good experience. The more I think about it, the more I think we need a new GM.
Ben
· 1 year ago
The last time Theodore had a good season, he signed a $6 million/per contract and stunk up the joint. Only when playing for a new contract did he finally turn himself -- and his career -- around. Dishing out $4.5 million based on half a season's play would have been just as big a risk as going with Budaj. With a cap in place, every dollar counts and throwing good money at high risk players makes no sense. And neither did signing Theodore.
AVSFAN
· 1 year ago
Well said Adrian, I hope you read my blog on your Svatos Benched blog! I said pretty much what you did! GIGUERE is a HORRIBLE and I mean HORRIBLE G.M. and should be fired!!! My solution is AVS fans should hit the PENNY PINCHER where it hurts the most, stop paying money to go see this team and have empty seats at the CAN and then he might wake up!!! As long as he is making money he won't do anything logical!!!! AVS FANS NEED TO STICK TOGETHER ON THIS AND DEMAND BETTER FROM THIS ORGINIZATION!!!
Jeru1975
· 1 year ago
Honestly, I can't see how anyone can sit there and still try to defend Budaj. Budaj has had one good period out of three games!! At some point in time, he has to stand up and take control of things he can!! But Budaj is NOT doing that because he’s not that good!!
And to Dater, thank you for finally saying what every sane Avs fan is thinking!! This team changed when Giguere took over and you can only blame the cap for so long!! Horrible decisions during the summer will haunt this team until the trade deadline. Unfortunately, by then it may be too late. I definitely agree that Theo was not worth the six million a year but 4.5 sounds about right for someone who had an outstanding second half and shouldered us into the second round of the playoffs!!
Not to sound like a conspiracy but something is going on behind the scenes with our Avs and it is not good.
What a horrible way for Sakic to end his career because by the end of the year, he’ll be more than ready to leave!!
Rachel
· 1 year ago
Well Adrian, thank you! And I won't even tell you I told you so. I completely agree with your assessment of Budaj (as I knew last year and the year before that he would never be a good #1 in Colorado) I was gutted that Theodore was allowed to leave over so little and it reminded me of the insulting offers to Peter and Footie coming off the lockout. As far as Tucker goes, he seems a nice guy, but what does he give us over Lappy. I'm hoping management brings in some talent fast...without destroying the team, Joe deserves better than this if it is his last year.
Brandon
· 1 year ago
GO GET'UM AD!!!!!
Sunny
· 1 year ago
Excellent job! I still wasn't 100% sold on Theodore but surely he would have been better than this. I feel sorry for Budaj but he's just not cutting it. Did anyone see this article in the Edmonton paper after the Oilers game?
The first line is "As somebody in the building joked after the final gun, "does anybody know Floyd Whitney's phone number?"" Floyd is Ray Whitney's DAD, who's the practice goalie for Edmonton. Basically suggesting the Avs could use him...
ClaudeLemieux
· 1 year ago
Two things, First- I got to watch the Altitude broadcast on Center Ice last night, which is always a plus. I like Mike and Peter, despite them being forced to be overly positive, but last night was borderline ridiculous. A puck hit Budaj in the middle of the giant A on his chest and Haynes is screaming "WHAT A SAVE BY PETER BUDAJ!!!!" I like a pro-Avs biased broadcast as much as the next guy, but can we draw a line somewhere?
Second, I don't particularly like Sakic on the PP point either, but I think he's there due to a lack of options more than his own abilities. The inability (or ignorance) of management to not sign a guy that can QB a PP or at least brings a big shot leaves Granato's next best option experience and poise. Liles will keep getting better and I was hoping Salei or Leopold could fill that void, but it sure hasn't happened yet. I think it was Salei at the end of the game who had all day to get to the far boards and stop the puck for rolling out and he couldn't even do that.
Yikes.
John
· 1 year ago
Where is Jeff Hacket in this mess. Budaj's mechanics are all wrong. He has his toes up when he needs to lay his leg flat on the ice and he is not crowding the post when he goes side to side. coaching needs to step up when management fails. that is the nature of pro sports. management gets the bodies coaches make the bodies conform.
Mike @ MHH
· 1 year ago
My favorite part about this rant is the little link at the bottom of this page to "The Great Theodore Debate." You couldn't wait to throw Theo under the bus before last season and now you wish the Avs had overpaid for him this season. Look at what he's done to date in Washington. Looks a lot like his first two seasons in Colorado. Worthless.
GoWings!
· 1 year ago
Nice to see the Stanche have found their proper place.
anik9k
· 1 year ago
AD and the fans are right. The management think wayy too highly of themselves. the whole point of a summer is to make sure ur team gets better ours stayed the same in most areas and got worse is some. The answer to all our problems would have been Huet. not Budaj or Raycroft. And yes Why sign Tucker for 2.2 mil when you could have signed Bruno for 3 Mil. no matter what anyone says Jones is not the same as Bruno... he might might be later on but not now. Clearly FG TG and PL needs to let go. This offseason was not about the players but it was about the plethora of "free agent" coaches available and who do we get.. .no one TG is no one he was the head coach and he got fired but hey he gave his "due" to the organization just like Budaj. That is exactly what this team has become... more organization than a real team....
GurnBlanston
· 1 year ago
AD - thanks for the brutal honesty. Good luck on your next assignment covering cricket and lawn bowling once Avs management has a talk with your editors.
kimjongwil
· 1 year ago
hopefully raycroft will be resurrected from the dead. if not, they have to take a chance on getting khabibulin and suck it up with his salary. even if this means no chance of forsberg returning. the offense has been putting up goals and a goalie is more important than forsberg right now.
adian- (i know people feel he still is calling all the shots) but do you think the avs would be in this mess if pierre lacroix didn't change roles?
matt
· 1 year ago
Yes yes Mr. Dater rip on the avs it seems we a bomb from the point to help the power play. We really need a goaltender!
Denunzio
· 1 year ago
Who wrote this article? Karl Rove? I know you need to sell papers, but this sort of fear mongering is ridiculous. We're 3 games into the season. 3 games. Relax before you lose all of your journalistic credibility.
Jo
· 1 year ago
Adrian agree with you! Chokaj is killing us. Its so ridiculous to watch a game for 50 minutes and then have your team see it loose it in the last few mins of a game. At least play for the bloody point. Does any of these guys know what icing is. Its so frustrating as a fan watching Chokaj play. He over plays the shot, and is not square to shooters and can not move side to side fast enough. And he always seems to let pucks through the pads. Offense only goes so much. Why not play defensive first, then build up on the offense. If the Avs fans had the choice of winning with trap and a defense, versus playing an open style and loosing every night, I think the choice would be pretty clear.
Bryce
· 1 year ago
Ok here we go point #1 Theo, i don't think so. the guy has a good 1/2 of a season and he is the savior of the AVs I don't think so. I am glad he is gone. There were a few goalies out there on the open market we just didn't want to spend to get one. This is the way it is and the way it will be. We have a couple good goalies in the system right now that are playing well and who knows one may get a call up.
#2 Letting Bruno go no I don't agree with it but we don't know everything behind it. I mean what was he asking for in salary?? Does letting Bruno walk mean we can sign Staz to a long term contract this season??? I mean i hated seeing Bruno leave just like everyone else but I think there has to be something more too it.
#3 Coach G hiring.... Do I think it was the right move maybe maybe not I think it was a very fast move especially with the assistant from the Red Wings being out there and available to be picked up I mean come on this guy was the one who ran Detroit PP and PK units.... Hellloooooooo But it's still an early season so who knows how things might work out.
I look at it all this way we are still a team trying to find it's identity. We are scoring goals but not stopping a lot of them. We can run and gun with the rest of the teams in the league I mean come on 4 goals against Kipper!!!! I think once this team figures out what it's Identity is and gels everyone will be singing a different tune. I hate Fair Weather Fans and I hate people who want to say ohhhh this is it, the season is over, when come on people we are only 3 games in the season.
Just my 2 cents A LOYAL AVs FAN Stuck In VA!!!
Tucker
· 1 year ago
Add Dater to the list of people who have cracked because of a struggling team..........not gonna lie Adrian, i just lost A LOT of respect for you. Most sports writers can handle the "i told you so's" in the privacy of their own home. Thanks for letting the rest of us who apparently dont know the "truth" in on whats going on. Im sure the Avs are better for your comments. Oh and just for the record, the same stuff would have been said about Theo if we had re-signed him. He had a good run last year, but his time here was mired by inconsistency. Building from within was by far the best option we had. And for the record, i hate it when the avs lose, but i still love watching the avs play!
ClaudeLemieux
· 1 year ago
How late were you up coming up with "save percentage worse than a drunk preacher"?
Just playin, AD. Humor and a grain of salt may be mandatory for the rest of the season, lol.
TC
· 1 year ago
Bruno signed with Minnesota for 3 years, $7 million. Please don't tell me the Avs couldn't come up with $2.3 million per year to keep him. Letting Bruno go appears to be purely a numbers game. With Stastny, Sakic, Hejduk, Smyth, Wolski and Svatos all top 6 forwards it was Bruno that lost out. The problem here is they let the most reliable, healthy, ppg player over the last 2 seasons leave without so much as a goodbye. And then replaced him with a third/fourth line agitator. Like we need another one of those.
They are sitting well under the cap limit right now and it shows. Are they saving all that extra money in hopes of bringing Forsberg back too? How about moving forward with this team. The post-Roy Avs are as bad as the post-Elway Broncos. They just appear to have no idea how to replace the players from the championship years once they leave.
I'm just glad someone with a loud enough voice is making some noise now. Ticket sales ought to give them another clue what the fans think of this team. This is the first time I can recall that opening day was not sold out. It's also the first season I didn't buy at least a 14 game plan.
jimbo
· 1 year ago
Sunny wrote:
" Did anyone see this article in the Edmonton paper after the Oilers game? The first line is “As somebody in the building joked after the final gun, “does anybody know Floyd Whitney’s phone number?”" Floyd is Ray Whitney’s DAD, who’s the practice goalie for Edmonton. Basically suggesting the Avs could use him…"
Wrong-o. Floyd Whitney is Ray Whitney's dad, but he's an ex-cop and current Oilers security guard... the implication was not that an ex-practice goalie is better than Budaj, but that the Oilers ROBBED the Avs with that win. It's pretty clear what was meant, if you actually read the entire article.
scioto slim
· 1 year ago
ahhh this is sweet. lets see if they can keep up this pace for many more games to come. Adam Foote is a scumbag and this is somehow all his fault. F Adam Foote.
scioto slim
· 1 year ago
adam foote is a scumbag and the avs need to keep losing till he quits like the big baby his lowlife ass is.
Gurn Blanston
· 1 year ago
scioto slim sounds like somebody forced to live in or near columbus, ohio. i would be bitter too.
Danny
· 1 year ago
Thanks AD.
BiB
· 1 year ago
Almost definitely a bitter BJ fan, with bitter BJ face.
j.
· 1 year ago
Dater, I agree with your posts about Budaj, but I think getting rid of Brunette and Theodore was the right way to go.
Theodore at 4 mil IS OVERPAID. He had what... half a decent season and one good series in the last 4 years???
I agree with you that I don't think Budaj has the make of an every day #1 goalie, BUT WHAT BETTER IS THERE? Theodore, Raycroft, Huet... all these guys had inconsistencies that plagued their seasons in the past few years. Tell me why Theodore should have been our lynchpin over any of the others...
If you ask me, the reason we have Budaj and Raycroft is because they're just as good as what's out there on the market: young and inexperienced, average, old, or high-risk wild-card.
I don't know how Raycroft will do, but it's something we'll just have to wait through until somebody takes control of this team or we pull off another miracle Lacroix- trade.
As for Brunette, you mention he was a "heart and soul," type of player. Which don't get me wrong, he is. But his role changed when we picked up Ryan Smyth. Bruno was clutch and a great guy to have on the team, but it's time for us to give more ice-time to youngsters like David Jones and Wolski.
Lastly, I think it's worth mentioning that imo penny-pinching for Giguere seems the best plan for now. Forsberg's still an option, another goalie is still an option, and lets not forget the looming shadow of Paul Stastny's new contract... I guarantee we're not gonna be re-signing him at 850K a year folks...
Avaholic
· 1 year ago
Couple of things: 1) everyone thinks we just gave Bruno up. Bruno loves MN and it is VERY possible his wish was to go back there, as hard as it is to swallow. 2) Someone said we can get Khabi for free!? really.... last time I checked he was still getting paid 6+ mil from the BH's which we would be accountable for unless he cleared re-entry waivers, then we pick up half the tab. 3) Whoever said something about Mclellan is a genious. I cannot believe we weren't even the slightest bit interested. We needed a re-vamping of our team from management perspective, so instead we hire from within... just crazy IMO. 4) I'm not even going to go down the Theo road - we got rid of the plague, be happy - the Broncos eventually found Cutler, give it time, we'll get someone. 5) GO AVS!
Dave's a Killer
· 1 year ago
I'll agree with the goalie sitch, but I don't think Sakic as PP QB is the worst choic in the world. A big point shot does not a Powerpoint Quarterback make. They call it a QB because just like in football, they are the one setting and directing the play. From the point you can see the PK and make judgments about the play, which does't mean your just blasting shots from the point all the time. Sakic is on the point in the PP to QB the plays, not send bombs. We could use a Rob Blake type point shot, I agree, but players with Blakes shot and hockey sense are few and far between. Furthermore, you can tip a hard wrister or even produce a rebound with one in many ways even better than a slap shot. Sakic's wrister is fast and hard, slap shots are easier to block because you can always see them coming, and a blocked or poked slapper at the point turns right into an odd man rush. So, I can't stand the goalies, but I love this team. Grit, speed and goals-olde tyme hockey!
Jordan
· 1 year ago
To be honest, the avalanche have a great offence and a pretty good defence as well. IF 1 of the goalies can step up than this team will make some noise! (P.S. thats a big IF)
All Comments
Thank you for just. Saying what needs to be said!
I agree with everything you said.
~Christie
I saw Budaj and Theodore at a practice this spring, at the end of the season. Watching the two was like night and day. Theodore's work ethic was evident, he practiced hard, and spend a long time on the ice, compared to Budaj, who seemed like he was just going through the motions.
It's like the team's management is concerned about nothing more than babying Granato, not wanting to go out on a limb and do what it takes to win--spend the money to bring in good players, and draft wisely and build up a pool of talent it can draw from. But even that is an impossibility, considering how many good, young players have been traded off for a short-term gain.
I hope somebody on that team gets a fire lit under them so they can have a good season.
the upside is that i have a lot more free evenings now that i'm not too excited about this team.
Sigh. The Avs looked terrible all over the ice tonight. Boods with the bad rebounds, the lousy penalty killing...
My two thoughts on tonight's game: I still frickin hate Todd Bertuzzi (How is it possible he's still playing???) and Iginla is a total ***** for fighting with his visor on.
There are 5-6 golaies out there that are back-ups that can be twice as good as Budaj; Ie: Halak, Fernandez, Lalime, not to mention the one they can have for FREE Khabibulin!
It is very sad when one player (Budaj) is costing the team all these points; and even when/if he gets his game together we know the Coaching will be an issue. Remember the rumors about San Jose's new coach coming to Colorado? They are undefeated thus far.
I agree with some of Dater's points... letting Bruno go and replacing him with Tucker, signing Raycroft, handing the job back to Granato... but enough with harping on Budaj already. His defense just stands around watchin the play, doesn't hit anybody, doesn't tie up anybody. Few goalies would be winning with the way this team's playing in their own end, but it's so much easier just to blame the goalie...
Overall, and it is early, with even a competent goalie in place, the Avs could easily be 2-1 or 3-0.
Our much loved Dmen are biting as bad as Budaj right now. They look great, on paper, but come on! Leaving men wide open, leaving guys to walk right in and shoot and leaving Budaj to try and make a save is not what I expected from our top 6 dmen. They deserve a lot of credit for this mess too.
I do, however, love our offense. We are outshooting and are scoring some very nice goals. That's our bright side for now.
1 g 2 a 3 p +2 1ppg
Darcy Tucker
0 g 1 a 1 p -2 2pim
Tucker's line is almost identical to Laperriere. I have no clue why the Avs let Brunette go for Tucker. I like the way Tucker plays, but he's basically Ian Laperriere or one of the Cody Macs.
This Avalanche season seems like it will painfully be akin to the Rockies season that ended in spring training.
I hope I'm wrong.
agree with jimbo, I'm glad Theodore is gone - never liked the guy. I was glad to see Budaj get the starting role, but he's played poorly so far. Budaj has the potential and now, faced with adversity, he must come through. I'm going to hold my breath and wait a few more games until I start freaking out
1) Move Jones to the third line and let Sakic play with a skilled forward like Svatos. The third line needs some definition of its role. Right now is it supposed to score with Svats or agitate with Tucker? And Arnasson just stands there not doing much of anything.
2) Get Khabibulin. Yeah, I wish there were better options but maybe we can trade Budaj to Chicago to get them to cover some of the Bulin's pay. Right now, we have no other choice. If the goaltending situation stays the way it is, the Avs finish last. (That is of course, unless Raycroft is somehow magnificent)
3) CLEAR THE PUCK & support the puck. Calgary was all over the Avs skaters last night and there was no one around to help with the outlet pass so D-men were stuck making risky passes that were easily getting picked off. And someone should clue the PKers that its ok to ice the puck on the penalty kill...JUST GET IT OUT. Why are you trying to create a breakout rush when you're a man down?!!
4) Did I say get rid of Budaj already? Good, do it.
Comment by Johnny — October 15, 2008 @ 5:30 am
EXACTLY!!!!!
And to Dater, thank you for finally saying what every sane Avs fan is thinking!! This team changed when Giguere took over and you can only blame the cap for so long!! Horrible decisions during the summer will haunt this team until the trade deadline. Unfortunately, by then it may be too late. I definitely agree that Theo was not worth the six million a year but 4.5 sounds about right for someone who had an outstanding second half and shouldered us into the second round of the playoffs!!
Not to sound like a conspiracy but something is going on behind the scenes with our Avs and it is not good.
What a horrible way for Sakic to end his career because by the end of the year, he’ll be more than ready to leave!!
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/spor...
The first line is "As somebody in the building joked after the final gun, "does anybody know Floyd Whitney's phone number?"" Floyd is Ray Whitney's DAD, who's the practice goalie for Edmonton. Basically suggesting the Avs could use him...
Second, I don't particularly like Sakic on the PP point either, but I think he's there due to a lack of options more than his own abilities. The inability (or ignorance) of management to not sign a guy that can QB a PP or at least brings a big shot leaves Granato's next best option experience and poise. Liles will keep getting better and I was hoping Salei or Leopold could fill that void, but it sure hasn't happened yet. I think it was Salei at the end of the game who had all day to get to the far boards and stop the puck for rolling out and he couldn't even do that.
Yikes.
adian- (i know people feel he still is calling all the shots) but do you think the avs would be in this mess if pierre lacroix didn't change roles?
#2 Letting Bruno go no I don't agree with it but we don't know everything behind it. I mean what was he asking for in salary?? Does letting Bruno walk mean we can sign Staz to a long term contract this season??? I mean i hated seeing Bruno leave just like everyone else but I think there has to be something more too it.
#3 Coach G hiring.... Do I think it was the right move maybe maybe not I think it was a very fast move especially with the assistant from the Red Wings being out there and available to be picked up I mean come on this guy was the one who ran Detroit PP and PK units.... Hellloooooooo But it's still an early season so who knows how things might work out.
I look at it all this way we are still a team trying to find it's identity. We are scoring goals but not stopping a lot of them. We can run and gun with the rest of the teams in the league I mean come on 4 goals against Kipper!!!! I think once this team figures out what it's Identity is and gels everyone will be singing a different tune. I hate Fair Weather Fans and I hate people who want to say ohhhh this is it, the season is over, when come on people we are only 3 games in the season.
Just my 2 cents A LOYAL AVs FAN Stuck In VA!!!
Just playin, AD. Humor and a grain of salt may be mandatory for the rest of the season, lol.
They are sitting well under the cap limit right now and it shows. Are they saving all that extra money in hopes of bringing Forsberg back too? How about moving forward with this team. The post-Roy Avs are as bad as the post-Elway Broncos. They just appear to have no idea how to replace the players from the championship years once they leave.
I'm just glad someone with a loud enough voice is making some noise now. Ticket sales ought to give them another clue what the fans think of this team. This is the first time I can recall that opening day was not sold out. It's also the first season I didn't buy at least a 14 game plan.
" Did anyone see this article in the Edmonton paper after the Oilers game? The first line is “As somebody in the building joked after the final gun, “does anybody know Floyd Whitney’s phone number?”" Floyd is Ray Whitney’s DAD, who’s the practice goalie for Edmonton. Basically suggesting the Avs could use him…"
Wrong-o. Floyd Whitney is Ray Whitney's dad, but he's an ex-cop and current Oilers security guard... the implication was not that an ex-practice goalie is better than Budaj, but that the Oilers ROBBED the Avs with that win. It's pretty clear what was meant, if you actually read the entire article.
I think getting rid of Brunette and Theodore was the right way to go.
Theodore at 4 mil IS OVERPAID. He had what... half a decent season and one good series in the last 4 years???
I agree with you that I don't think Budaj has the make of an every day #1 goalie, BUT WHAT BETTER IS THERE? Theodore, Raycroft, Huet... all these guys had inconsistencies that plagued their seasons in the past few years. Tell me why Theodore should have been our lynchpin over any of the others...
If you ask me, the reason we have Budaj and Raycroft is because they're just as good as what's out there on the market: young and inexperienced, average, old, or high-risk wild-card.
I don't know how Raycroft will do, but it's something we'll just have to wait through until somebody takes control of this team or we pull off another miracle Lacroix- trade.
As for Brunette, you mention he was a "heart and soul," type of player. Which don't get me wrong, he is. But his role changed when we picked up Ryan Smyth. Bruno was clutch and a great guy to have on the team, but it's time for us to give more ice-time to youngsters like David Jones and Wolski.
Lastly, I think it's worth mentioning that imo penny-pinching for Giguere seems the best plan for now. Forsberg's still an option, another goalie is still an option, and lets not forget the looming shadow of Paul Stastny's new contract... I guarantee we're not gonna be re-signing him at 850K a year folks...
1) everyone thinks we just gave Bruno up. Bruno loves MN and it is VERY possible his wish was to go back there, as hard as it is to swallow.
2) Someone said we can get Khabi for free!? really.... last time I checked he was still getting paid 6+ mil from the BH's which we would be accountable for unless he cleared re-entry waivers, then we pick up half the tab.
3) Whoever said something about Mclellan is a genious. I cannot believe we weren't even the slightest bit interested. We needed a re-vamping of our team from management perspective, so instead we hire from within... just crazy IMO.
4) I'm not even going to go down the Theo road - we got rid of the plague, be happy - the Broncos eventually found Cutler, give it time, we'll get someone.
5) GO AVS!
So, I can't stand the goalies, but I love this team. Grit, speed and goals-olde tyme hockey!