The Denver Post’s Mike Chambers answered readers’ questions about the Colorado Avalanche in a live Lunch Special chat. Here are the highlights:
Mike, if you were strapped down on the ice and a Zamboni machine was bearing down on you, how would you escape?
Mike: I’d use my skate blades to cut the straps … Or I’d just realize that it was my time to go and be comfortable knowing I was at a hockey rink.
OK, Mike. Where would you most like to travel to if/when the Avs make the playoffs?
Mike: Las Vegas or Nash-Vegas. It’s our two options and they’re both a ton of fun. Yes, for selfish reasons I really want to work in the first round of the playoffs.
Who’s your least favorite team and why is it the Wild?
Mike: I don’t play favorites — or least favorites. But I will say this, Minnesota’s “original” dark uniforms were/are the worst.
Can you breakdown the playoff scenarios? What do the Avs need to do to earn a spot?
Mike: Sure can … Avs can’t catch Minny, or WPG or NSH, so they can only get in as a wild card. And according to my math, if COL finishes 2-0 it’s in — as long as the win over STL is in regulation. Make sense?
What’s the Avalanche’s goaltending situation looking like next year? Jonathan Bernier is a free agent. Will the Avs re-sign him or look elsewhere?
Mike: Good question, and it’s a mystery right now. Bernier has been very good this year, despite his injuries, but we won’t know if he wants to come back, or the Avs can afford him, until the off-season. They aren’t talking contract right now and I don’t think they ever have during this season. As for Varlamov, we’ll just have to see what his injury status is in the coming week(s) if the Avs make the playoffs.
What’s up with the offense? It seems like when the MGM line is cold, the rest of the team is cold, too.
Mike: Great Nate has not been great lately and Anaheim and LA are big, physical teams who had last change and dictated matchups. Teams know if you shut down the MGM guys you have a great chance of winning. 29, 92 and 96 have far less time and space on the road.
What are your thoughts about Cale Makar returning for a second season at UMass?
Mike: LOVE IT! One-and-done NCAA players stink. And Makar isn’t ready. What, five goals and 16 assists for UMass? He’s an offensive-defenseman with exceptional talent but he’s not ready for the NHL so why sign the deal to eliminate his NCAA eligibility? Go back to school and at least get half of your education done. Get halfway to that degree. And Connor Timmins is already signed, and perhaps a step ahead of Makar in development. The Avs don’t want both these guys coming in at the same time. They’re both smaller right-shot D. So I was glad to see Makar make the right choice.
What are you noticing in the dressing room after these two pivotal loses? Any change in temperament? Do these young guys seem nervous?
Mike: Good question and I prefer to answer these because this is what it should be about … getting inside the locker room, seeing things you can’t see on TV/video. Landeskog is ALWAYS available, NEVER cranky and ALWAYS a professional. Can’t say enough about his character. Most guys scatter — change out of their gear quickly and walk to the “private” room or the trainer’s room. Landeskog and Zadorov do not, and MacKinnon made himself fully available the last two games. Rantanen also is terrific, always available, and Soderberg. So … I tend to see it more from Europeans. They like to sit and stare at the carpet after losses. Seems like the North Americans want to run. This isn’t the case for everybody but just something I’ve noticed. Jan Hejda was like that too. He took his time.
If the Avs miss the playoffs, can we kiss any postseason awards goodbye? Or is there a chance MacKinnon could still win the Hart and Bednar could be coach of the year?
Mike: Nathan MacKinnon hasn’t been Hart Trophy-worthy lately. Sorry, folks, but he won’t get my No. 1 vote if he doesn’t lead this team into the playoffs. Anze Kopitar has done just that with the Kings, and he’s probably my top guy right now — partly because I’m going to do my best to represent the west. This is a PHWA award and we take it very seriously. As for Bednar, he’ll be a Jack Adams finalist either way, but indeed, probably won’t win it if the Avs don’t make the playoffs.
It seems like the Avs have struggled the last week or two as teams start playing a more physical style against them … do you think that’s a bad sign that the Avs can’t play “playoff hockey?”
Mike: Great question, and we have totally seen that the last two games. The bigger, tougher and more experienced Ducks and Kings intimidated the Avs, it seems. Zadorov’s fight last night in response to the big (late?) hit on Rantanen was good, but without Erik Johnson, Zadorov is your only tough guy back there on D. Let’s face it, rookies Compher, Jost and Kerfoot aren’t pushing back with the physical stuff. Compher has the ability but it seems he’s backed down last two games. Jost and Kerfoot simply don’t play that way. So yes, I think this super young and relatively small team isn’t built for the playoffs — particularly without Johnson. But, hey, getting there would be a HUGE deal.
The Avs had 48 points last year … mid 90s this year. What should we expect from this team next year? This level or slightly higher? Do they regress? Are they doing this with smoke and mirrors?
Mike: Predictions are tough in this NHL, where parity is so relevant. Look at Edmonton and Ottawa — both Cup contender at the start of the year. It’s all about chemistry, folks, the ability to grind it out with success and fun. When things aren’t fun, it’s hard to win. The Avs enjoy each other, for the most part, and have had a couple great stretches during the grind. So next season? You’d think they’ll be better, more experienced, but the Oilers and Senators were saying that a year ago and they stink.
Who is the Avs’ emergency goalie if they ever needed one? I vaguely remember at one point it was Patrick Roy when he was the coach.
Mike: There’s a new rule that every NHL market has to have one local guy available to play for EITHER team, and this guy must have his pads at the arena and be in work-mode (no drinking, etc.). I heard each market has a group of rotating goalies, who create a schedule to ensure one guy is ready. I’m not 100 percent sure about this but I remember reading about it after that dude in Chicago came in late against the Jets.
So what was the biggest key for the Avs’ turnaround this year? Matt Duchene leaving? The emergence of Gabe Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon? Capable goaltending?
Mike: Biggest key? Young legs, and MacKinnon/Rantanen combination. Moving Duchene was key, too, and Sam Girard was a fantastic addition (particularly for the future). The Avs got rid of a bunch of 30-somethings — Beauchemin, Iginla, Mitchell, Tyutin, McLeod, etc. — and replaced them with teenagers or early 20s. It’s a young-mans game now.
Who’s the next Avs player to get his jersey retired?
Mike: Nobody in sight, I don’t think … Avs have too many retired already. Love Ray Bourque, but his 77 should not have been retired. I was happy to see Milan Hejduk’s jersey retired though — playing your entire career for one team is key in that decision.
Will Jared Bednar be back next year? If so, is he the right coach for the Avs?
Mike: Absolutely expect Bednar to return … Is he the right coach? He took a dismal 48-point team to 93 points with two games left. Yeah, he’s the right guy no doubt.
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