Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Wilson's hit on Oiler is headed for debate

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November 20

Denver Post

"When Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson drilled Edmonton Oilers captain Ethan Moreau with a big hit to the head Wednesday, it touched off approximately the 10,000th debate on the "head shots" topic this NHL season. The issue continues to dominate much of the chatter regarding any proposed rules changes, with league general managers saying they may propose new guidelines to be voted upon at the next board of governors meeting. Proponents of stiffer penalties and/or new guidelines for hits to the head point to the kind that Wilson laid on Moreau, saying they represent a heightened danger level given the acknowledged bigger, faster players of today. Others, such as former player, GM and current ..."

Wilson's hit on Oiler is headed for debate

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November 20

Denver Post

"When Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson drilled Edmonton Oilers captain Ethan Moreau with a big hit to the head Wednesday, it touched off approximately the 10,000th debate on the "head shots" topic this NHL season. The issue continues to dominate much of the chatter regarding any proposed rules changes, with league general managers saying they may propose new guidelines to be voted upon at the next board of governors meeting. Proponents of stiffer penalties and/or new guidelines for hits to the head point to the kind that Wilson laid on Moreau, saying they represent a heightened danger level given the acknowledged bigger, faster players of today. Others, such as former player, GM and current ..."

Foote doesn't practice, and should Ryan Wilson be suspended?

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November 20

Denver Post

"Doesn't look like captain Adam Foote is going to be in the lineup tomorrow night against the Canucks, but John Liles and T.J. Galiardi have both been pronounced "available" to play. Number 52 didn't practice today here, still bothered by an apparent jaw injury. It's possible Avs rookie Ryan Wilson won't play either. It's possible the NHL could suspend him for his hit on Edmonton captain Ethan Moreau last night, which knocked him out of the game with a likely concussion and kept him out of Oilers practice today."

Digging out of Avalanche

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November 19

Edmonton Sun

"It wasn't so much a battle of the backups between Jeff Deslauriers and Peter Budaj last night, but rather a couple of backups who were battling the puck. Fortunately for Deslauriers, Edmonton's cavalry was better. They rattled off three straight goals to bail out their goalie and overcome a 4-2 deficit to beat the visiting Avalanche 6-4. It was a gritty comeback if there ever was one. The Oilers were down 4-2 late in the second and everything was going wrong. They had just given up two quick goals, they weren't getting any goaltending and they were down to nine forwards after Mike Comrie came up sick, Zack Stortini had to sit for 17 minutes for instigating and Ethan Moreau left the game ..."

Sullen Budaj takes blame for loss to Oilers

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November 19

Denver Post

"On a night when Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj fought the puck, the puck emerged the decisive victor. On a night when the Avs had a two-goal lead and two subsequent 5-on-3 power-play advantages, they decided to get more charitable than Bill Gates' foundation and dropped a 6-4 decision to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. With the five goals he gave up on 32 shots, Budaj has allowed nine goals in fewer than five periods of work in the past week. This might explain his hunched posture and the muttering gestures to himself in the locker room afterward. "Pucks were going through me," Budaj said. "We score four goals on the road, we should win. I was in the right position a few times, but ..."

Defenseman Preissing fills in for injured Foote

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November 19

Denver Post

"Avalanche captain Adam Foote hoped to play Wednesday night against the Oilers, but was held out as a precaution with a jaw injury. The Avs said Foote's jaw is not broken, and he was listed as a game-time decision. Veteran Tom Preissing took Foote's spot in the lineup and recorded his first career point with the Avs, a first-period assist. But he also made a critical turnover on Edmonton's game-winning goal in the third period and is now a minus-5 in two games."

Deslauriers to start in net vs Avs

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November 18

Edmonton Journal

"Jeff Deslauriers will get a rare start in Edmonton Oilers' net tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Deslauriers, who has seen action in just three of the Oilers 21 games this season, will face the Avalanche in the opening instalment of a five-game homestand. "I'm pretty excited," said Deslauriers, who has not played a regular season game at Rexall this campaign. He played in Nashville, in Vancouver and in Ottawa and is 1-1-1 with a .937 save percentage. He had two starts on home ice last season."

Flames hot streak cooled by Avs

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November 18

Calgary Herald

"Lack of motivation should not have been an issue. Because there was the fresh memory of the recent visit from the Colorado Avalanche. (A contest, well in hand, that turned into a loss Oct. 28 when Wojtek Wolski glided with embarrassing ease through red-clad defenders to deposit the winning goal.) Because there was the opportunity to leapfrog into the Northwest Division's penthouse. A Calgary Flames win would wash away the bad taste from last month's collapse. A Calgary Flames win would land the locals in top spot. Makes sense, right? But the surprisingly stubborn Avs had other ideas. Scoring twice in the dying minutes of the second period, Colorado mucked its way to a 3-2 triumph in ..."

Climb will Av to wait

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November 18

Calgary Sun

"That ascension back to first place in the division is on hold for the time being. It may never happen if the Flames play too many games like they did last night. With a chance to overtake the Colorado Avalanche for top spot in the Northwest standings, the Flames allowed themselves to be lulled to sleep for much of last night's 3-2 loss. First, they had the sleepy eyes through most of the first period, and then went into a short but deadly slumber in the final few minutes of the second period -- immediately after taking a 2-1 lead. "It's been a problem a few times this year. We get a big goal, get the lead, and the next shift they get right back in the game," said Rene Bourque, whose ..."

Avalanche not too concerned about increase of contact for goalies

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November 18

Denver Post

"Goal- tenders are definitely receiving more contact from opposing skaters than in recent seasons, with some wondering if it's time to reintroduce rules to protect them more. Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson doesn't seem concerned either way. "If the GMs want to do something about it, they will," Anderson said. "It's out of my control. But that's the way the game is now. You're trying to create more interference with the goalie, because if goalies can see the puck, they're going to stop it." Anderson has taken a few hard collisions this season and hasn't been shy jabbing his stick back in response. Avs coach Joe Sacco doesn't want to see the NHL go back to the days when goals were disallowed ..."

Avalanche defeats Flames 3-2, stays in first place

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November 18

Denver Post

"Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson's nickname is "Sauce," not because of any special love for marinara or the white clam variety, but for some great airborne "saucer" pass he made back in his junior hockey days. Once a nickname is given in hockey, no matter how weird it is, it sticks. Wilson might stick around the Avalanche for good with more games like the one he played Tuesday night in the Avs' 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at the Pengrowth Saddledome, a win that kept Colorado in first place in the Northwest Division. Wilson, acquired by the Avs from the Flames in a deal that sent Jordan Leopold here last season, scored his first career goal and made a pretty nice saucer pass to help ..."

Foppa's body continues to betray

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November 17

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"There are two things you always feel toward Peter Forsberg: envy and pity. Envy for his Hall of Fame hockey career (he'll make it no matter what), his gazillions of dollars (he's probably made even more money from getting in early on the Crocs craze as a distributor than he has in hockey) and for drawing more swoons from women than that kid currently playing in those vampire movies. Pity for the years of false hope and buzzard's luck he has had to endure because of his stubborn body. Monday brought the latest piece of misfortune for Foppa: Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told The Associated Press that he learned Forsberg will stay in Sweden this season. An NHL source with ..."

Scoring problem compounds Duchene's transition to NHL

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November 17

Denver Post

"Compound words were the homework lesson the other night in the Foote household. Matt Duchene, the 18-year-old long-term houseguest of Avalanche captain Adam Foote and his wife, Jennifer, has informally taken over as an occasional tutor for the Foote sons, Callan, 11, and Nolan, 9. Per the homework assignment, Duchene and the two Foote boys went over words like lifetime, something and sandstone. At some point, Matt might have felt like adding two other compound words to the list: goalpost and snakebit."

Avs buried in ugly loss

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November 15

Denver Post

"The Avalanche hit the 20-game mark, or roughly the end of the 2009-10 season's first quarter, on Saturday night. As a matter of fact, the Avalanche hit it with a thud. Henrik Sedin's two first-period goals ignited Vancouver, and he ended up with a hat trick as the Canucks romped 8-2 over slumping Colorado at the Pepsi Center. Colorado goalie Craig Anderson was far from solely responsible, but he had an off game, allowing four goals on 22 shots before backup Peter Budaj came on to play the third period. Also, Anderson's misplay behind the goal line, when he seemed to be trying to gauge if the puck was in the off-limits trapezoid, led to Sedin's second goal as the Canucks closed out a ..."

Avs looking up to Anderson

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November 15

Denver Post

"In the driveway in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, young Craig Anderson suffered the fate of so many "little" brothers, before and since. He was the target. Jon Anderson, 5 years older, and Jon's hockey buddy from next door lined up little Craig in front of the garage door, told him to stand there and fired away at him. At least they didn't use pucks. "I was the smart one," Craig recalled, dryly. "I took tennis balls off the head." Craig's father, Richard Anderson, remembers spotting the evidence. "I came home and wondered what all the dent marks were in that aluminum garage door," Richard said. A goalie was born, so to speak. Twenty years later, Craig Anderson is one of the NHL's top ..."

Hat trick for Henrik Sedin as Canucks defeat the Avalanche 8-2

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November 15

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks escaped two storms Saturday night. They planned to make it out of Denver before the worst of a snowstorm was forecast to strike overnight, and they took with them a cleansing 8-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche to escape the murk of a three-game National Hockey League losing streak. The Canucks finished their five-game, 10-day road odyssey at 2-3, and the victory gave them some positive feelings heading into a five-day break between games in Vancouver. "We wanted to end with a win for sure," Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo said after a second straight solid performance since returning from a rib injury. "We'd lost three games in a row and we didn't want to come ..."

Preissing eager to return

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November 14

Denver Post

"Defenseman Tom Preissing was in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals after a 38-point, plus-40 season with the Ottawa Senators. The following year, he was in Los Angeles with a four-year, $11 million contract with the Kings. The next year, he was playing minor-league hockey in Manchester, N.H., and was traded a few months later to the Avalanche as a "throw-in" to a multiplayer deal. "It was a weird year," said Preissing, who played at Colorado College from 1999-2003. "It started with some promise and then things started faltering a little bit. For whatever reason, it just never really worked out for me and wasn't a good fit in L.A." Preissing is hoping to play his first NHL game since Jan. 15 ..."

Shanahan, Sakic lead Hall class

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November 14

Denver Post

"The selection committee of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame went into the recent past for its top two inductees, picking former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and former Avalanche captain Joe Sakic. The committee announced its six inductees Friday. They will be honored at a banquet April 20 at the Denver Marriott City Center. Shanahan coached the Broncos for 14 seasons, highlighted by victories over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII and the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Sakic played 20 seasons in the NHL, all with the Avalanche organization. He was a member of Canada's gold medal hockey team in 2002. Others selected to the 2010 class are Bob Blasi, longtime football coach at ..."

Avalanche unveil new blue third jersey

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November 13

Denver Post

"When the Avalanche unveiled its new predominantly blue "third" jersey today at the Pepsi Center, center Paul Stastny was reminded of the past. He noted that the blue base color is remindful of the color scheme the franchise had in its Quebec Nordiques days - when his father, Peter, and uncles, Marion and Anton, played for the team after fleeing Czechoslovakia. "It's a little darker now, but you can't go back to that now," Stastny said. "This is a bit of mix, and I think the blue is the part that stands out on these jerseys My first two years, we had the red jerseys with Colorado across it, and I liked those a lot. But it's always fun to switch it up and have a new look." Stastny and ..."

Extra time just fine by Hawks

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November 12

Daily Southtown

"It would have been understandable for the Blackhawks to expect a long night Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center. Their first meeting of the season went nine rounds into a shootout - the longest in Hawks history - and the second went eight rounds. Both were decided by 4-3 scores, the Hawks winning the first Oct. 10 and the Avalanche the second Friday. ''Just a coincidence,'' Hawks goaltender Cristobal Huet said. ''It's not that often that you go that deep in a shootout against the same team. They were entertaining games for the fans to watch, and shootouts are part of the game now. A point is on the line, so they're very important and fun when you win.'' ..."

Avalanche put positive spin on shootout loss

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November 12

Denver Post

"Matt Duchene struck more iron than a blacksmith Wednesday night, and that was a big reason the Avalanche was on the losing end of a 3-2 shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks. Duchene, the heralded Avs rookie, hit the post three times, and by his own estimation has hit 10 this season. Two of his three came in the final minutes of regulation, allowing the Blackhawks to best the Avs in the shootout - the third one in three meetings with Colorado this season. "I don't think we can be too disappointed in that loss. We played a heck of a game, one of the better games I think we've played all year," Duchene said. "But it's tough to swallow not getting that extra point. I thought I had it with a ..."

Extra time, as usual

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November 12

Chicago Sun-Times

"Long, nail-biting games have become commonplace when the Blackhawks face the Colorado Avalanche, and Wednesday's meeting at the United Center was typical of that. For the third time in as many meetings the two teams went to a shootout, but at least this one wasn't as long as the others. The Hawks needed just their three shooters to claim a 3-2 win -- their fifth straight victory at the United Center in a game played before 20,879, the 61st home sellout in a row. ''We finished them off real early compared to the other games,'' said captain Jonathan Toews, the first Hawk to convert in the shootout. Patrick Sharp was the other. It was another long night against the Avalanche, who lead the ..."

Chicago Blackhawks beat Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in shootout

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November 12

Chicago Tribune

"With another date against the Avalanche looming, coach Joel Quenneville had the Blackhawks practice shootouts during Tuesday's practice. That proved prescient as the Hawks and Avalanche decided their third consecutive game this season in a shootout Wednesday night at the United Center. Patrick Sharp scored the shootout winner to help lift the Hawks to a 3-2 victory before a crowd of 20,789. The triumph was the Hawks' second straight on their four-game homestand and improved their record to 10-5-2. "When we tied it up in the third period I think everybody had a hunch it was going to go to overtime and a shootout," said Sharp, who beat Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson with a forehand shot ..."

Avalanche's Hejduk might return tonight vs. Blackhawks

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November 11

Denver Post

"Milan Hejduk, a late scratch against Edmonton on Sunday with a back problem, didn't practice Tuesday with the Avalanche at the Family Sports Center. But coach Joe Sacco said that primarily was precautionary and he was "hopeful" Hejduk would be able to play against the Blackhawks tonight in Chicago. "He came in this morning, and he was feeling much better than before the game against Edmonton," Sacco said after practice, which followed Monday's day off for the team. "We decided to keep him off (Tuesday)." Also, winger Darcy Tucker and defenseman Tom Preissing went through the full practice and are at least possibilities to play against the Blackhawks. Tucker immediately lost consciousness, ..."

Avs' O'Reilly sitting pretty

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November 10

Denver Post

"With four goals and 14 points through 18 games, Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly, 18, is tied with Philadelphia winger James van Riemsdyk for the NHL's rookie scoring lead. Van Riemsdyk, 20, who played two seasons at the University of New Hampshire before signing last spring, suffered a minor fracture of his left pinkie finger against St. Louis on Saturday and is considered day to day, so he might miss a game or two. Among the four other rookies in double figures in points is the much-touted first overall pick in the draft last June, the Islanders' John Tavares. Colorado's Matt Duchene, the No. 3 pick, is tied for ninth in rookie scoring at seven points."

Oiler PP snows under Avs

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November 9

Edmonton Sun

"They threw the puck around like the Harlem Globetrotters during a five-man weave. And with three of their top power-play guys out of the lineup. Last night the Edmonton Oilers made the most of their odd-man opportunities, scoring four power-play goals on their way to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Even the fifth was essentially a power-play marker as it was scored just as an Avalanche penalty expired. "I think we probably paid attention a little bit and we moved the puck around," said Oiler head coach Pat Quinn. "I don't think they (Avalanche) were quite as sharp as they have been on the penalty kill. "But we moved it around well and we had some movement on it that we hadn't ..."

Avs suffer first loss at home

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November 9

Denver Post

"The penalty killing took a beating. The Avalanche entered Sunday night's game against Edmonton with the NHL's second-best penalty killing percentage of .861. That partly explains why the Avs were tied with a league-high 12 wins and 26 points. Killing penalties, however, was a painful experience against the Oilers, who scored four times with the man-advantage in their 5-3 victory at the Pepsi Center. It was Colorado's first loss in seven home games. Ryan Potulny, playing his first game of the season, scored the eventual game-winner 4:44 into the third period, making it 4-2 with Cody McLeod in the penalty box for hooking. The Avs, who never led, got within 4-3 on David Jones' goal at 7:27, ..."

Avalanche's struggles with Oilers on power play lead to first home loss

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November 9

Denver Post

"The penalty killing took a beating. The Avalanche entered Sunday night's game against Edmonton with the NHL's second-best penalty-killing rate: 86.1 percent. That helped explain the reason the Avs were tied with a league-high 12 wins and 26 points. Killing penalties, however, was a painful experience against the Oilers, who scored four times with the man advantage in their 5-3 victory at the Pepsi Center. It was Colorado's first loss in seven home games, and the first time the Avs, who were 0-of-4 on the power play, allowed four power-play goals since Oct. 21, 2006, at Montreal."

Avalanche's Hejduk misses Oilers game with back injury

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November 9

Denver Post

"Avalanche winger Milan Hejduk missed his first game of the season Sunday with a back injury. His absence was a surprise, given that he practiced Saturday and participated in Sunday's pregame skate. Hejduk, who on Friday played in his 800th career game, entered Sunday tied as Colorado's second-leading scorer with 14 points (seven goals). He was replaced by T.J. Hensick, who played for just the fifth time this season and scored a power-play goal. Coach Joe Sacco said he doesn't know how or when Hejduk was injured, or when he is expected back. "He took warm-up but wasn't able to play," Sacco said. Also scratched were Avs defensemen John-Michael Liles (shoulder) and Tom Preissing (knee)."

AWOL from Avs' turnabout - the fans

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November 7

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"What if they put on a hockey game and nobody came? No, it's not that bad yet. And yes, the people who remember Rockie hockey could tell you what happens when it gets that bad. But still, the Avalanche is facing what seems like a contradictory confluence of events. After finishing last season as the worst team in the NHL's Western Conference, the Avs surprised most everyone in the hockey world by sprinting to the top of the standings this season. Yet their attendance has continued the downward trajectory of the past three seasons, slipping below 15,000 fans a game through their first six home games. The obvious explanation is the economy, but the Nuggets' attendance is holding steady. In ..."

O'Reilly helps keep Avs perfect at home

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November 7

Denver Post

"This season, it's almost as if former Broncos guard Keith Bishop pops onto the Avalanche bench every time Colorado falls behind 2-0 and repeats his famous pronouncement as Denver was about to embark on the late 98-yard drive against Cleveland in the 1987 AFC championship game: "We got 'em right where we want 'em." On Friday night at the Pepsi Center, the Avalanche kept its 2009-10 home record perfect through six games, getting two goals from rookie center Ryan O'Reilly and one from David Jones on the way to recovering from a two-goal first-period deficit and taking a 4-3 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The shootout lasted eight rounds, ending when Colorado's Chris Stewart ..."

Avs win 4-3 in shootout

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November 7

Denver Post

"This season, it's almost as if former Broncos guard Keith Bishop pops into the Avalanche bench every time Colorado falls behind 2-0 and repeats his famous pronouncement as Denver was about to embark on the late 98-yard drive against Cleveland in the 1987 AFC Championship game: "We got 'em right where we want 'em." On Friday at the Pepsi Center, Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead when Dustin Byfuglien scored on a power play at 6:27 and defenseman Duncan Keith got his fourth goal of the season at 10:36. But with rookie center Ryan O'Reilly scoring twice and David Jones adding a short-handed goal to jump-start Colorado, the Avalanche came from behind to remain perfect at home this ..."

Avalanche top Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in shootout

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November 7

Chicago Tribune

"There's something about playing the Avalanche that makes the Blackhawks go the distance. For the second time this season, the teams locked horns in an extended shootout, and Friday night the result was different as the Avalanche defeated the Hawks 4-3 at the Pepsi Center. On Oct. 10, the Hawks earned a 4-3 decision in a franchise-record nine-round shootout. It went eight rounds Friday before Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson stopped the Hawks' Dustin Byfuglien to end the shootout and hand the Hawks their second loss in 24 hours. With the score tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime, Patrick Kane gave goalie Antti Niemi and the Hawks a 1-0 shootout lead as he led off with a score. The ..."

Short in a shootout

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November 7

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche appear destined to play long games. They went nine rounds into a shootout in the Hawks' first game at the United Center this season before the Hawks pulled out a victory, and Friday the shootout went eight tension-packed rounds. The Avalanche took this one 4-3, with Chris Stewart making the decisive conversion before Dustin Byfuglien shot wide on his attempt to send the shootout to a ninth round. The Hawks couldn't feel too bad. They salvaged a point against the top team in the Western Conference without their top two centers. It was bad enough that the Hawks had to play their last six games without top-line center Jonathan Toews. On Friday, they also ..."

Liles leaves game after suffering a shoulder injury

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November 7

Denver Post

"Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles didn't return to the game after suffering a shoulder injury late in the first period of what turned out to be Colorado's 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks Friday night. "Credit the defensemen with playing with five 'D' for pretty much most of the game," Colorado coach Joe Sacco said. "They did a terrific job back there. That's not easy against an offense like that.""

Avs' Duchene sits with sore shoulder

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November 6

Denver Post

"Avalanche rookie center Matt Duchene wasn't on the ice for practice Thursday at Family Sports Center. Coach Joe Sacco said Duchene had "a sore shoulder," but should be able to play against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at the Pepsi Center. "We just wanted to keep him off today and make sure we didn't do anything further to it," Sacco said after practice. "He should fine tomorrow night.""

Avs' success hasn't been an easy sell in Colorado market

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November 6

Denver Post

"After the Avalanche franchise-low home attendance of 11,012 for the Phoenix game Wednesday, Colorado is averaging 14,759 through five home games. The average puts the Avalanche 25th in the NHL, ahead of only Florida, Tampa Bay, Nashville, the New York Islanders and Phoenix. "My initial reaction is surprise, that after this unbelievable start, we've been unable to get our attendance up to where I think it should be," said Paul Andrews, Kroenke Sports executive vice president. "Normally, I'd think it's because of the economy and ticket prices being what they are. But in our case, because we have so many low-cost options now, it's a little bit confusing to me still.""

Stats aren't flashy, but Svatos earns coach's praise

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November 6

Denver Post

"Avalanche winger Marek Svatos had gone 10 games without a goal before he scored against Phoenix on Wednesday. His season numbers - three goals and one assist - going into tonight's home game against Chicago aren't impressive. But even before Svatos' flashy goal against the Coyotes, Colorado coach Joe Sacco had noticed recent improvement in Svatos' game and effort. "His compete level (Wednesday) was very high," Sacco said after the Avalanche's Thursday practice. "He was first to a lot of loose pucks, that's what I noticed. He was quick on the forecheck. He had a lot of jump, and he did a lot of the things we've been asking him to do. "I think over the course of the last few games, I haven't ..."

An all-time low welcomes Budaj back

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November 5

Denver Post

"Apparently, Avalanche fans are going to need a little more proof that their team is as good as its record before they start showing up in larger numbers. The smallest crowd in Avs history witnessed Colorado's Western Conference-leading 11th win and 24th point Wednesday night, a 4-1 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes. The announced attendance of 11,012 was more than 2,000 fewer than the previous low crowd, but that didn't stop the Avs from staying perfect (5-0) on home ice. "Our job is just to go out and play hockey and our job is to provide entertainment for our fans," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "I think that we've done a good job of that this year so far." Two goals by veteran right wing ..."

Avs have a big hit behind the bench

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November 5

Denver Post

"He comes from New England and has brought respectability back to a dormant Denver sports franchise. He is the coach of a team some people said would finish last in its division but has made it the talk of the league with a great start. Josh McDaniels, say hello to Joe Sacco, your new competition for "Hotshot new coach in the Mile High City." "I haven't met him, but I know he's doing a pretty nice job with his team," Sacco said of McDaniels, the Broncos' coach. "I wasn't too happy when they beat the Patriots, but I'm happy for him." Both first-year coaches are credited for more clearly defining their players' roles and developing an atmosphere of accountability. While Sacco's predecessor, ..."

Russian league team pushing to sign Forsberg

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November 4

Denver Post

"The Russian team Ak Bars Kazan in recent days has made a significant push to sign former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg, attempting to steal him away from a potential NHL comeback. According to various news reports in Sweden and Slovakia, Ak Bars Kazan, a team from the country of Tatarstan, offered a large contract to Forsberg to play in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. Forsberg also is being pursued by several NHL teams. Yahoo Sports reports the Philadelphia Flyers are the leading candidate to lure the former all-star back to NHL. The Washington Capitals, Montreal Cananiens and the Avalanche also have shown interest, according to Yahoo."

Avalanche goalie Anderson could draw Team USA duty in Olympics

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November 3

Denver Post

"Craig Anderson stood on Vancouver soil Sunday night and should be here again later this month in another game between the Avalanche and Canucks. After that, Anderson and the Avs aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver until April. But would Anderson mind if he has to come here again in February? Not in the slightest. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA. "To wear the jersey for your country, there's no greater honor," Anderson said. "If it just so happens that I get selected, that would be great." ..."

Avs' Anderson NHL first star of month

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November 2

Denver Post

"Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson was named first star of the month for October by the NHL today. Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin and Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov join Anderson to round out the "Three Stars" for October. Anderson started all of Colorado's 14 games during the month and helped lift the Avs to first place in the Western Conference with his 10-2-2 record. His 10 victories tied the league record for October set by Detroit's Manny Legace in 2005."

Canucks take out Avalanche behind Raycroft netminding

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November 2

Vancouver Sun

"Kyle Wellwood in, Michael Grabner out. Just another day in medical hell for the Vancouver Canucks, who shrugged off this latest calamity Sunday to sink the Colorado Avalanche 3-0. The Canucks were missing seven players due to various ailment with Grabner the newest casualty. According to head coach Alain Vigneault, Grabner "flipped his ankle" warming up prior to the game and will be out for "some time." Shane O'Brien, who was headed for healthy scratch land, was pressed into service while extra blueliner Aaron Rome again skated as a forward. The Western Conference leading Avalanche weren't exactly in the pink of health themselves with six players out as the NHL talent pool diminishes daily ..."

Canadians get it: Surprising Avalanche play is big news

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November 2

Denver Post

columnist Terry Frei

"Last week, when I covered Avalanche games in Edmonton and Calgary, and I noticed the swarms of media members posing questions to Colorado coach Joe Sacco and the players, it hit me: The Avs' shockingly fast start was a bigger story in Canada than it was in Denver. Granted, I've visited Canada for more than 30 years to cover the NHL. I long ago learned that the guy who usually takes the faceoffs is the centre; that Tim Hortons is where you go for an apple fritter and coffee; that walking a kilometer in minus 10-degree Celsius weather can be difficult; that Canadian sitcoms generally are better than ours; and that, most of all, hockey is king. So I understand that there always has been ..."

Avalanche stumbles against former goalie

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November 2

Denver Post

"The old sports saw goes something like this: When your top guys are out, the lower-tier guys need to overachieve a little more to make up the difference. But right now the Avalanche is a team whose lower-tier guys are out, and the top-dollar guys aren't doing anything to make that irrelevant. While some of Colorado's key role players remain sidelined with injuries, the Avs' top forwards were quiet again Sunday night in a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The loss stung a little more, given the shutout went to former Avs goalie Andrew Raycroft, playing in place of injured all-star Roberto Luongo. Colorado's top line of Paul Stastny, Milan Hejduk and Wojtek Wolski could not do much of ..."

Bonus bonanza inflates deal for Duchene

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November 2

Denver Post

"Matt Duchene's base salary with the Avalanche is $900,000, but his "hit" to the team's salary cap is a hefty $3.4 million. The reason: bonuses, baby. Duchene has several bonuses, most of them award- based, that the Avs might not have to pay, but for cap purposes it doesn't matter. Together, the bonuses can earn Duchene an extra $2.5 million for each of the next three seasons, the length of his contract. There is the chance Du- chene's cap number could suddenly be lowered, however, if during the regular season it becomes impossible to achieve a certain bonus — such as total games played. Avs general manager Greg Sherman said NHL teams are allowed to go over a percentage of the official ..."

Tambellini traces roots to Colorado

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November 1

Denver Post

columnist Terry Frei

"I've heard similar remembrances from former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies hockey players of the 1970s and '80s. "We lived off Arapahoe Road," Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said at Rexall Place. "There was one other development past us, and that was like the end of the city, right?" Right. In March 1981, Tambellini was a 22-year-old center when the New York Islanders traded him, plus goaltender Glenn "Chico" Resch, to the Rockies for defenseman Mike McEwen and goalie Jari Kaarela. I met Tambellini's flight to Denver, and although he said all the right things, I got the impression he was trying to convince himself that going from the defending Stanley Cup champions ..."

Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj still waiting to work after bout of swine flu

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November 1

Denver Post

"The only news goal-tender Peter Budaj has made so far this season is from having the H1N1 virus. It's a fair statement, therefore, that he's had better months than the just-completed October. Budaj has emerged hale and hearty from a couple of bed-ridden days, however, and is excited to get back in the net for the Avalanche. He will have to keep waiting. Avs coach Joe Sacco is going to keep riding his hot starting goalie, Craig Anderson, who will get his 15th consecutive start tonight against the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place. Budaj wants to play, but he isn't pouting. "(Anderson) has played amazing and he's deserved to get all the starts he has - and we've been winning games, ..."

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