Denver Post sports writer Adrian Dater posts his Avs Mailbag every Monday during the 2008-09 NHL season on DenverPost.com.
To drop an Avalanche- or NHL-related question into the Avs Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
I can answer lots of hockey questions my grandson asks, but not these two from last night. What is the significance of the bear paw on the Avalanche sweaters? And why did Columbus call themselves Blue Jackets? Thanks. Go Avs!
— Nancy Petersen, Parker
Nancy – Your grandson hasn’t been alone in wondering the answers to those two questions.
First off, the bear paw is a remnant of the Avs’ initial uniform design. It is supposed to signify the paw prints of an “abominable snowman,” which, as astute Avs fans remember, was the team’s mascot its first few years — “Howler.” Howler is no longer with us, but the paw prints remain.
The Blue Jackets are named in honor of Ohio’s and the city of Columbus’ rich Civil War history. The Union side wore blue, of course, and Ohio produced more volunteer regiments than any other state in the Civil War. Union legends Sherman, Grant, Sheridan and Custer were all from Ohio, too.
With , do you have any predictions about who will play where when Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny return from injury?
— Scott, New York
Scott – Great question, and if I had to bet money right now, I’d probably say Wolski would go back to left wing to finish out the season, then go back to center next year.
If Sakic and Stastny both come back to play at the same time this season, I don’t think Tony Granato would do anything like put Sakic or Stastny at third line. Yeah, he could put Wolski at third-line center, but I would bet he’d want his talents on the ice more than that.
But next year, I’d be willing to wager Wolski will be a center, no matter what.
What is David Aebischer up to these days? I really thought he had the talent to do well in this league. Thanks!
— Robert Wilson, New Windsor, Ill.
Robert – Abby is currently a goalie with Lugano of the Swiss League. He posted a shutout a couple of weeks ago for his team, in fact.
I thought Abby did some good things with the Avs, including outplaying Marty Turco in the Avs’ 2004 playoff series victory over Dallas. He had the misfortune, though, of succeeding Patrick Roy in goal for the Avs, and that was always an impossible situation for him. Then, he went to Montreal for Jose Theodore, and it’s never easy being a goalie there.
Abby played one game last season with Phoenix before deciding to go back to his home country and play. Maybe we’ll see him in the NHL again, but that’s probably an iffy prospect.
Adrian – I just want to ask why no one is talking about the consistent play of Ryan Smyth? He has shown me each and every game that he is working his backside off, and he always comes ready to play. Even during the horrible periods of play the Avs have had in various games, the one player who has worked hard is Ryan Smyth.
— Vivian, Jefferson, Md.
Vivian – Actually, I said pretty much the same thing about Smitty in a blog of mine a few days ago. I encourage you and other Avs enthusiasts to throw some traffic that way some time. To read that blog, .
I agree, Smyth plays hard every single shift. He is always, always in the thick of things, too, in front of the net. You should see Smyth after a game; he is always completely drenched in sweat. His mullet hairdo is basically reduced to looking like that of a drowned rat.
Maybe his numbers haven’t quite been what some fans expected when he signed a five-year, $31.25 million deal with the Avs. But I don’t think anybody can complain about his work ethic.
When T.J. Hensick came up last season, he had the makings of a guy who was going to have a great career in the NHL. This season he’s fallen off the radar. What gives, and is there any realistic possibility of him being used in trade talks later in the season?
— Megan, Arvada
Megan – I would say there’s a chance Hensick could be dangled as trade bait. But probably the odds are better he’ll stick around. This team has enough offensive problems as it is right now without casually parting with its young forward prospects.
Hensick scored a nice goal Friday night. But, no, his production has not quite been what Tony Granato hoped. He seems to fall into that trap that a lot of young players do: he seems to lack that little bit of finish, too often dishing off at the
last second or maybe rushing off a shot when he had an extra second to maneuver with the puck. But I think he’s got skill and the Avs would need to think hard before dealing him.
I was at and noticed a flash bulb that goes off from the rafters all throughout the game and even during times when play is stopped. Do you know what this is for? If it’s for photos, I think it is odd it goes off even during TV timeouts.
— Pat, Denver
Pat – Those are, indeed, for photographers. And just because play has stopped doesn’t mean they’re not still clicking away with their cameras. They are.
Any truth to the rumors that Adam Foote is afraid to take the ice in Columbus and face the Blue Jacket fans? Or do you think it is just “Adam Being Manny”?
— Jerry, Ohio
Jerry – Good line, but, no, no truth to that.
Foote has been out the last couple weeks with a triceps injury, and that included a game in Columbus last week. Foote definitely is not a guy who would be afraid of a few boos. He’s a gamer. He’s obviously up there in years now, though, and the injuries have come frequently in the last few. But rest assured, if he’s healthy when the Avs next go to C-Bus, Footer will be in the lineup.
Adrian Dater has covered the Colorado Avalanche since the team moved to Denver in 1995. To drop a question into his Avs Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
