No management member of a pro sports team is ever going to admit to being surprised at how well its team has played. Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman did not break that code when asked about his team’s 12-4-3 start entering Saturday’s game with Vancouver.
“We have a certain standard as a franchise, and the direction we’ve taken in the last five months — with a youth movement, but a mix of some veteran players as well — we’re satisfied with,” Sherman said. “But we know there are challenges ahead, and we expect to take on those challenges as they come.”
One of those challenges could be in regard to payroll the rest of the season — and if the team becomes a “buyer” at the NHL trade deadline. As it stands, the Avs have a cap-averaged payroll of about $53.6 million, $3.1 million under the NHL cap of $56.7 million. Some of the Avs’ current cap average payroll is deceptive, though, with much of Matt Duchene’s $3.2 million cap hit coming in bonus incentives that can be exceeded over the official number.
If the Avs are in contention for a playoff spot and want to add a high-priced veteran, Sherman would probably want a little more space under the cap, which could mean trying to jettison one of the higher-priced players who haven’t seen much action — such as defensemen Ruslan Salei ($3.025 million salary) or Tom Preissing (in the third year of a four-year, $11 million contract).
“There’s a long way to go,” Sherman said. “We’re not thinking of things like that just yet.”
About Anderson.
Sherman, when asked whether he would worry if goalie Craig Anderson would tire late in the season should he make the U.S. Olympic team, said he would be “ecstatic” for Anderson.
“I think it would be a great situation for him,” he said.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
