Colorado Avalanche

[Killer67]

How has Mueller looked so far? I imagine rusty but overall is in back in form?

[loco man]

Please please PLEASE tell me Varlamov will be OK this year. Just made a move that saw me shipping Quick and getting Varly (not straight but part of a bigger deal) and feel like I'm gonna puke.

If Varly can put up 30 wins to go with his 30 losses, I will be OK. That sound about right?

[mapletreemarty]

Hey guys,
I don't know much about EJ so i was wondering if you guys can give me fair projections for the upcoming season. i know he's clear #1 D and will get plenty of PP chances but thats it.

does he have a big shot? what are his point projections? how are his peripherals? how has he looked in pre-season (for some reason i can't see some of the game stats).

im debating taking him over guys like whitney, girardi, robidas, zidlicky in a league that counts points +/-, PPP, SHP, SOG, BLK and Hits

thx in advance avs fans

EJ is going to have a breakout year. He has been a real leader on the ice and leads by example. He will play 26-28 mins a night. 45 pts this year and he will contribute across the board. His +- may be a little low this year. He has a really good shot and controls the puck very well on the PP. Being paired with a solid stay at home guy like Hejda will allow him to jump in more and take more chances offensively.

[mapletreemarty]

How has Mueller looked so far? I imagine rusty but overall is in back in form?

Being out of hockey for essentially 18 months his in game conditioning is still a little behind, but the skill and talent is all there. He is a step behind at times but that should get worked out after a few regular season games where everything gets back to full speed.

[mapletreemarty]

Please please PLEASE tell me Varlamov will be OK this year. Just made a move that saw me shipping Quick and getting Varly (not straight but part of a bigger deal) and feel like I'm gonna puke.

If Varly can put up 30 wins to go with his 30 losses, I will be OK. That sound about right?

It's not a slam dunk mainly because Sacco and Sherman jobs are on the line this year. If he hits some inconsistent stretches and due to the lack of a goalie coach they may turn to Giggy if he gets hot.

Provided he's healthy I am 75 % certain he will win 22 to 26 games and only 50% that he will hit that 30 wins and beyond.

[mapletreemarty]

Avs have sent Elliott down to Lake Erie. He will be back in mid November at the latest.

Practice lines today reflect the opening lineup for Saturday against the Wings.

Mueller Duchene Hejduk
Kobasew Stastny Jones
Landeskog O'Reilly Winnik
Galiardi McClement McLoed

EJ Hejda
Quincey O'Brien
Wilson o'Byrne

Varly
Giggy

Scratches: Porter, Hunwick, Lindstrom
IR: cumisky, olver, yip

[loco man]

So does this mean Quincy and EJ are on the top unit?

KQ just became available in my league and I am debating about scooping him up.

[mapletreemarty]

So does this mean Quincy and EJ are on the top unit?

KQ just became available in my league and I am debating about scooping him up.

The Avs like Mueller on the point with EJ on the first unit. Quincey will QB the second unit with Wilson.

[mapletreemarty]

Cumiskey has been waived. If he isn't claimed he will be in Lake Erie for the year.

[mapletreemarty]

Well, not the result the Avs were hoping on Peter Forsberg night, however the team looked better than last season. They played a terrific opening 30 mins but just couldn't get on the scoreboard. Varly had a great start between the pipes and there isn't a whole lot he could do on the two Red Wings goals. Landeskog was thought to have been the Avs best forward tonight, getting involved lots in the play.

Edit: The team killed off all of the Red Wings man advantages which is certainly a step in the right direction.

Puck drops in 4 hrs and 20 mins and I can't wait for this team to start putting some goals on the board. The Avs have been successful on early season East coast trips the past two seasons. Two years ago they came away with a 4-1-2 record, and even last season were 3-2 with in Detroit, NJ, and at MSG.

After this afternoon's tilt in Boston, they head off to Columbus, than Ottawa to face Anderson and the Sens, and finish off with stops in Montreal and Toronto.

There's no reason why they can't return to the Pepsi Center for Thursday's game against the Hawks with at least 3 wins.

[Shoeless]

Well, not the result the Avs were hoping on Peter Forsberg night, however the team looked better than last season. They played a terrific opening 30 mins but just couldn't get on the scoreboard. Varly had a great start between the pipes and there isn't a whole lot he could do on the two Red Wings goals. Landeskog was thought to have been the Avs best forward tonight, getting involved lots in the play.

Edit: The team killed off all of the Red Wings man advantages which is certainly a step in the right direction.

Puck drops in 4 hrs and 20 mins and I can't wait for this team to start putting some goals on the board. The Avs have been successful on early season East coast trips the past two seasons. Two years ago they came away with a 4-1-2 record, and even last season were 3-2 with in Detroit, NJ, and at MSG.

After this afternoon's tilt in Boston, they head off to Columbus, than Ottawa to face Anderson and the Sens, and finish off with stops in Montreal and Toronto.

There's no reason why they can't return to the Pepsi Center for Thursday's game against the Hawks with at least 3 wins.

To the point Marty - is Mueller finally worth a start today? Max games league so I don't mind benching him but I could use a point or two.

[STONE.]

How's Stastny looking? Gotta be tough playing alongside Jones and Kobasew -- give the guy some linemates!

[uofmehockey]

What's up with Lindstrom? Did some time with the 1st line in pre-season, but has yet to play at all in regular season. Thought he'd at least he'd get an audition. He's got the one way contrct. Not hurt is he?

[mapletreemarty]

To the point Marty - is Mueller finally worth a start today? Max games league so I don't mind benching him but I could use a point or two.

I would give him another 2 or 3 games to see how he responds, the team as a whole has had issues converting scoring chances this season.

[mapletreemarty]

How's Stastny looking? Gotta be tough playing alongside Jones and Kobasew -- give the guy some linemates!

Kobasew had a monster couple of last pre season games which got him slotted into that spot along Stastny. The team is 2-0 so while the offense has struggled they may hesitate to shake up the lines while they continue to win.

I think Landy, Galiardi or Lindstrom may get a chance on that line soon. The Avs are also 0-10 on the PP to start the year.