Sunday’s NHL column is on e, the one that got away. The three-time Stanley Cup-winning bench boss should have never left Colorado in 2008, the beginning of some awful lean years for the Avalanche. Letting him go was a mistake.
Coach Q and the Hawks could soon win their third Cup in six years. I admit, I didn’t see much of Game 2 on Saturday; I was at U2 show in Denver. (My quick review: revolutionary rock show, the hockey rink-long stage and center-“ice” cage/video screen is amazing technology. But still, in terms of the music, nothing better than Pearl Jam at the Pepsi Center last October.)
Sunday’s hockey analysis piece is on the , and how it must improve. Will drafted prospects Stefan Elliott, Duncan Siemens, Chris Bigras or Mason Geertsen help the big club next season, or 2014 free-agent signee Maxim Noreau? Signing a marquee free agent in their prime — or two — is the better bet, and Andrej Sekera, Mike Green and Cody Franson, among others, will be on the market July 1. As for a trade, the Avs like the Maple Leafs’ Jake Gardiner, and the former Wisconsin Badger needs to get out of Toronto. In terms of the upcoming draft, Ivan Provorov or Zach Werenski — the second- and third-rated defensemen, respectively — might be available at No. 10. But are they NHL-ready? Probably not.
In Saturday’s , when local writers served as GMs for the teams they cover, I chose left wing Lawson Crouse at No. 10. Provorov and Werenski were not available.
I think will get LW Crouse, C Zacha, D Provorov or D Werenski, no particular order.
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
Chart from Sunday’s D story:
Denver Post hockey reporter Mike Chambers analyzes five NHL defensemen who could immediately help the Avs:
1. Andrej Sekera. E The smooth Slovakian, 27, is an unrestricted free agent who finished this season with Los Angeles after a trade-deadline acquisition from Carolina. Had a $2.75 million cap hit; will get a hefty raise.
2. Jake Gardiner. Would require a trade. He’s under contract with Toronto through 2018-19 at $4.05 million annually. The Avs covet the 24-year-old former first-round Anaheim draft pick, who could use some new scenery.
3. Mike Green. Leads available unrestricted free-agent defensemen with previous pay ($6.25 million). Is a coveted commodity as a excellent two-way player younger than 30; he’s 29. What team will overpay to sign him?
4. Matt Irwin. Undrafted unrestricted free agent from San Jose. He’s only 27, and a great skater with good size and offensive ability. Made $1.1 million this season and will at least double that in free agency.
5. Cody Franson. F Former Maple Leaf finished this season with Nashville. He’s 6-foot-5 and just 27. Had a $3.3 million cap hit this season.
