Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, center. (Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press file)
Sunday’s NHL column is on , 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 at No. 10. Provorov and Werenski were not available. Crouse is a , ranked No. 5 in Central Scouting’s final North American rankings. Some have him going as early as No. 5 on June 26 in Sunrise, Fla.
Power forward Lawson Crouse helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2015 World Junior Championship in Toronto. Crouse, who plays junior for the Kingston (Ontario) Frontenacs, was Team Canada’s youngest player. (Julia McKay/The Whig-Standard)
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. 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. 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.
