The Avalanche enters the 2019-20 season with an unbelievable amount of hype. The once young-but-full-of-potential core is now coming into their own — ESPN had them listed as .
And as they mature, their numbers grow. Nathan MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog find themselves in — or on the cusp of entering — many of the franchise’s career top-10 lists. Here are some numbers to watch for:
Nathan MacKinnon: The Avs center has strung together back-to-back seasons in which he flirted with 100 points (97 in 2017, 99 last year). If he hits the mark, he’ll be the first Colorado player to reach the mark since Joe Sakic did in 2007.
MacKinnon is also on the verge of breaking into the franchise career top-10 in several categories:
- His 156 goals are 10 away from No. 10 Valeri Kamensky’s 166. Joe Sakic owns the mark at 625.
- His 247 assists are three away from No. 10 Duchene’s 250. Sakic, again, owns the the record with 1,016.
- His 402 points are 26 behind No. 10 Duchene’s 428. Sakic has 1,641.
- He broke the single-season mark for most shots (365) last year, besting Sakic’s 1996 total of 339. If he matches it this season, he’ll be within striking distance of the No. 4 career mark held by Nordiques great Peter Stastny (1,945).
Gabe Landeskog: The Avs’ captain is entering his ninth season with the team. He’s already No. 8 all-time in goals (177), and will certainly surpass Matt Duchene (178) for the seventh spot.
- He has 239 assists, 11 behind No. 10 Duchene.
- He also has 416 points, 12 behind No. 10 Duchene.
- He sits at No. 10 in power play goals (46), and could climb pass Paul Stastny (47), Owen Nolan (49) and Kamensky (51) by season’s end.
- If he stays healthy, he’ll climb up the games played list. With 579, he’s just 19 behind Alex Tanguay for the No. 10 spot.
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Scoreboard
NFL: Steelers 27, Bengals 3
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Must-Read
Laviska Shenault, Mustafa Johnson will be game-time decisions for CU Buffs, Mel Tucker says
The surging CU Buffs are trying to keep the Mel Tucker Train rolling, but they’ll likely have to wait to see if they’ll have the services of their best offensive and defensive players until Saturday morning, at the earliest, Sean Keeler reports. Laviska Shenault and Mustafa Johnson “will be game-time decisions,” Tucker told reporters. Read more…
Rockies “like a good 1985 front office” when it comes to free agency, pundit says
Since the end of the 2016 season, the Rockies front office has invested, according to Baseball-Reference.com, $154.91 million in salary toward 13 veterans on the free-agent market — the supporting pieces, complements to the Arenado-Blackmon-Story core.
According to Baseball Reference, the club received -5.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), total, in return for those investments — meaning that a minor-leaguer or journeyman would’ve performed, in theory, just as well, and for far less money, Sean Keeler writes. Read more…
Kiszla: Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as MVP of NBA? Bad topic. Joker would rather talk about beer.
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A smiling Mikko Rantanen back in the Avalanche fold, back on MGM Line
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Rantanen rejoined linemates Nathan MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog on the MGM Line and the No. 1 power play, and came into the locker room after practice with a giant smile, Mike Chambers reports. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb sustained torn ACL on Sunday.
+ Jamal Murray: Kobe Bryantap invite-only camp was “highlight” of summer.
+ Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. deletes social media accounts: “I’m happier.”
+ Nuggets guard Malik Beasley on agent switch: “I’m handling my business.”
+ Nuggets’ rookie Bol Bol updates injury progress plan at media day.
+ Nuggets small forward starting spot an “open competition” as training camp begins.
+ Rockies, AT&T SportsNet announce multi-year extension to broadcast Colorado games.
+ Emma Coburn of Boulder claims silver medal at world track and field championships.
+ CHSAANow prep football rankings, Week 6: New team sits atop Class 1A.
+ California to let college athletes sign endorsement deals.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
No. 6
Where the CU Buffs football team ranks in this week’s Post’s Best of the West Top 25. Read more…
Parting Shot
Kiszla vs. O’Halloran: Which veteran player should Broncos trade first to start rebuilding process?
General manager John Elway needs to start playing for 2020. What veteran player should he trade first? Ryan O’Halloran and Mark Kiszla debate…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
