2006-07 record: 44-31-7, 95 points. 4th in division/9th in conference. Did not qualify for playoff contention.
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Head Coach: |
Joel Quenneville (3rd season) |
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General Manager: |
Francois Giguere (2nd season) |
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Home Arena: |
Pepsi Center |
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Capacity: |
18,007 |
Not even a brilliant 15-2-2 record to close out the season could propel the Avalanche into the playoffs, as they finished a single point behind the eighth place Calgary Flames. Western conference teams should be on notice, though, because that stretch run was a signal that the Avs are ready to start another run of consecutive playoff appearances. Colorado has a good core of young players and goalie Peter Budaj is ready to take over as the No. 1 goalie. Even with a young team that was coming together nicely, the Avalanche did not rest on their laurels during the off-season.
Colorado signed one of the premier free agents, inking winger Ryan Smyth to a rich 5-year contract ($31.25 million) that broke the hearts of Oiler and Islander fans everywhere after the Isles acquired Smyth at the trade deadline in hopes of re-signing him, and Edmonton fans held out hope that their favorite son would return home. The Avalanche also signed defenseman Scott Hannan to a 4-year deal to lure him away from the Sharks, and Hannan will take the place of Patrice Brisebois, who signed with the Canadiens. Colorado will still have netminder Jose Theodore and his expensive contract for another season, but he will serve as a backup (and possibly as trade bait if he plays well in his starts). The Avalanche should return to the playoffs this season, but they also have a legitimate chance to win the division.
Depth Chart
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Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
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Ryan Smyth |
Joe Sakic |
Milan Hejduk |
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Wojtek Wolski |
Paul Stastny |
Andrew Brunette |
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Ian Lapperiere |
Tyler Arnason |
Marek Svatos |
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Jaroslav Hlinka |
Ben Guite |
Brad Richardson |
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Chris Stewart |
Cody McCormick |
Scott Parker |
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Defence |
Defence |
Goaltending |
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John-Michael Liles |
Scott Hannan |
Peter Budaj |
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Jordan Leopold |
Kurt Sauer |
Jose Theodore |
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Brett Clark |
Karlis Skrastins |
Michael Wall |
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Jeff Jillson |
Dale Purinton |
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Forwards
The Avalanche were thrilled to learn that ageless Joe Sakic would be returning for another season. Sakic led the Avs with 100 points, including 36 goals and 16 power play goals, and if he does start feeling his age, he will have even more offensive help around him this year. Winger Milan Hejduk scored 35 goals, Andrew Brunette added 27 more, and youngsters Paul Stastny and Wojtek Wolski scored 50 goals between them last year and could top 75 this season (Stastny had 15 goals and 40 points in 35 post all-star games). Smyth scored 36 goals between Edmonton and New York last season, and could match that total in Colorado’s high-powered offense. Colorado also signed former Czech player Jaroslav Hlinka, who scored 19 goals in 46 games in the Czech League last year. Defenceman John-Michael Liles will join the rush regularly to add even more weapons to the Avalanche attack.
Defence
Liles is a prototypical powerplay quarterback who can rely on solid defence from Hannan and former iron-man Karlis Skrastins to handle the defensive responsibilities. Brett Clark is a solid two-way player and Jordan Leopold is another potential scorer if he can stay healthy. The loss of Ken Klee may hurt the Avalanche as they lack depth on the blue line and may be short on reliable defenders in late-game situations. Colorado did sign journeymen Jeff Jillson and Dale Purinton to provide depth – Jillson has been a top prospect for years and Purinton is an enforcer – but it is unclear whether either will be the answer they are looking for. Look for Colorado to add another veteran defenceman during training camp or during the season.
Goaltending
The Avalanche acquired Theodore to replace Patrick Roy, but he never really worked out the way they had planned. Theodore slowly ceded the job to Budaj last season, and Budaj responded very well, finishing 31-16-6 with a goals-against average of 2.68. Budaj may not be as talented as Miikka Kiprusoff or Roberto Luongo, but he is a very solid goalie with a great offense in front of him. Theodore will serve as the backup, but Mike Wall was acquired in an off-season trade with the Anaheim Ducks and could step in if Theodore is traded.
Outlook
After putting together an impressive string of victories to close out the 2006-07 season, look for Colorado to bounce back in 2007-08 in a big way. The Avalanche have one of the best groups of young players in the league, and have complimented them extremely well with veteran talent that should provide for stability in the locker room. Though they play in a very competitive division and conference, look for Colorado to secure another playoff berth, and maybe even with the Northwest Division.
Potential Rookies: Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey appeared in nine games for the Avalanche last season and played well in the AHL. He is another potential two-way defenseman for the Avs, but his size will prevent him from being a star. Wall played in four games for the Ducks last season and could emerge as the backup goalie. Center T.J. Hensick is at least a year away, and the Avalanche have already brought up most of the young talent from their farm system, so this is likely to be an uneventful year for Colorado rookies.
