Colorado Avalanche Trade Rumors

Avs trade Wojtek Wolski to Phoenix for two forwards
Comment
March 3
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche this morning traded left winger Wojtek Wolski to the Phoenix Coyotes for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. Wolski, 24, had 47 points in 62 games for the Avs this season, but only two goals in his past 25 games. He is in the last year of a contract that was paying $2.8 million. Mueller was the eighth pick of the NHL draft in 2006. He played two seasons in the U.S. National Team development program at Ann Arbor, then two years of major junior with the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips. He scored 22 goals his rookie season with the Coyotes in 2007-08. But Mueller's career has been in a tailspin since. This season, he has only four goals and 17 points in 54 games. Mueller, 21, is ..."
Avalanche's Svatos prepared in event of trade
Comment
March 2
Denver Post
 
"Marek Svatos had his bags packed Monday night. That was the case partly because the Avs will begin a two-game road trip starting with Wednesday's game in Anaheim, and partly because he knows he could be traded by then. "If it happens, it happens. I'm ready for it," Svatos said. "I just put it in the back of my mind. We'll see." With right wing Milan Hejduk sidelined Monday because of back spasms, Svatos played on the second line with Matt Duchene and Wojtek Wolski. Otherwise, Svatos' season has been one long struggle. He has six goals and 10 points in 44 games — and a team-worst minus-11. "The effort is there; I'm trying. It's just a question of confidence," Svatos said. Svatos is in the ..."
Colorado isn't expected to make a move, but with this franchise, you never know
Comment
February 28
Denver Post
 
"Nothing will top today's USA-Canada showdown for gold in Vancouver for overall hockey interest this year. But on the list of rivals for overall eyeballs, the NHL's annual trade deadline day is sure to be a top-five finalist. The advent of blogs and 24-hour channels with all that airtime to fill has created a cottage industry of rumor and speculation that reaches a fever pitch when the clock strikes zero hour. The accuracy ratio of rumor to actual completed trade is approximately 4:100, but that doesn't mean it doesn't make for a great day of frenzied whispering and the eyebrow-raising "I hear something's brewing between . . ." murmur that is irresistible to all hockey people. Wednesday at ..."
Sherman prepared to stay the course
Comment
February 5
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche has not been a player in any of the big NHL trades recently. Listening to general manager Greg Sherman on Thursday, it doesn't sound like anything big will happen by the March 3 deadline, either. At least not involving any of the Avs' young players. "The plan that's been in place has been working out very well. My intention is to stay within our plan," Sherman said. "We have a good thing going. We have a good situation with our balance, of veterans with our youth. Given that situation, we'll continue to kind of crank along and see how things play out." Thursday's loss to Nashville, however, was Colorado's fourth in the last five games, and it's no secret some Avs are probably ..."
No trades in sight for young Avs team
Comment
January 27
Denver Post
 columnist Adrian Dater
"It's only January, but already NHL teams are making decisions about whether to buy or sell at the league's trading deadline. Why now, when the deadline isn't until March 3? The Olympic break, of course. From Feb. 12-28, teams will be prohibited from making any trades because of the Olympic Games in Vancouver. That leaves only 10 to 12 regular-season games for teams until the deadline (11 for the Avalanche). Most trades happen on deadline day, so there remains plenty of time to decide whether to buy or sell. But hockey's hot stove league is starting earlier because of the Olympic break, and Avalanche fans in particular are wondering what might happen. Here's my prediction: not much. You can ..."
Avalanche defenseman Liles still must play his way out of coach's doghouse
Comment
January 4
Denver Post
 
"John-Michael Liles has always had an easygoing nature. He is quick with a sharp needle at another's expense or a self-deprecating shot at himself. It has been a bit harder, however, for the Avalanche defenseman to maintain his usual persona lately. What Liles wants, and what the Avalanche wants for him, is to get the swagger back in his step. Being a healthy scratch for two games last week took some of it away, and Liles faces an uncertain future in the short term with the Avs — and possibly for the long term. Although Liles played Saturday in the Avalanche's 3-2 victory over Columbus, finishing with an assist and a minus-1, he did so because veteran defenseman Brett Clark was sidelined ..."
Avalanche Anderson eager to get back in net
Comment
December 11
Denver Post
 
"It's a little tricky to tell whether Craig Anderson is upset at the perceived uptick in NHL goalies being run into, or if he thinks it's just part of the game. What isn't in question is Anderson's relief that his head and neck problems appear behind him, and that he stands a good chance of returning to the Avalanche net tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "I wouldn't be out there if I didn't feel I could go. But it's up to the coaching staff," Anderson said Thursday. Avs coach Joe Sacco said he'll decide after today's morning skate whether Anderson will make his first start since being injured in a collision with Florida's Keith Ballard last Wednesday. Unlike the previous four games, ..."
Hensick's future appears cloudy
Comment
November 26
Denver Post
 
"There was a time when T.J. Hensick's future was a subject of optimistic, happy talk around Avalanche headquarters. It's possible there is no future with the team for the young center now. Hensick was placed on waivers Wednesday, and will be sent to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League if no NHL team claims him by noon today. If an NHL team claims him, it will be responsible for the remainder of his $875,000 salary. Otherwise, Hensick will be paid a lesser amount at Lake Erie as part of a two-way contract. Hensick, 23, has played only seven games this season, with a goal and two assists. The 2005 third-round draft pick showed some of the promise in his rookie season that made him a ..."
Sacco steamed by start against Predators
Comment
November 26
Denver Post
 
"A point was gained and first place maintained. But that wasn't much solace to Avalanche coach Joe Sacco, who is getting tired of talking about slow starts and shaky endings for his team. The Avs did get the point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators in front of another sparse Pepsi Center crowd (12,356) Wednesday night. But it was a first period in which Colorado was outscored 2-0 and outshot 10-3 that had Sacco steamed afterward. "We've just got to be ready to play. We've got to be better than that in the first period," Sacco said. "It's disappointing, anytime you lose that extra point at home." Nashville, which won its seventh straight game, got that extra point when David ..."
Quick-healing Galiardi returns to the lineup
Comment
November 21
Denver Post
 
"When T.J. Galiardi went down, he thought for sure his ankle was broken again. It wasn't, but the Avalanche still said Galiardi might miss six weeks with a severe sprain. Friday night, Galiardi completed his return in three weeks. "I guess I'm lucky, healing fast," Galiardi said. "We have some unbelievable trainers and they helped me get back earlier, and I'm just excited about it." The Avs missed Galiardi's defensive presence, especially on the penalty kill. And he's one of the Avs' better forwards at grinding with the puck along the corners in the offensive zone."
Wilson's hit on Oiler is headed for debate
Comment
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?
Comment
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."
Avalanche's Hejduk might return tonight vs. Blackhawks
Comment
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, ..."
Liles leaves game after suffering a shoulder injury
Comment
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.""
Russian league team pushing to sign Forsberg
Comment
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
Comment
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." ..."
'09 top draft picks make the cut, staying in NHL
Comment
October 29
NHL.com
 
"Six players taken in the 2009 Entry Draft made their NHL team's opening-night roster. Making the League is one thing; staying there is another. But for the special six from this June's draft, they all passed their first major test. John Tavares (No. 1, Islanders), Victor Hedman (No. 2, Lightning), Matt Duchene (No. 3, Colorado), Evander Kane (No. 4, Thrashers), Dmitry Kulikov (No. 14, Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (No. 33, Avalanche) haven't all passed the 10-game threshold, but all have been told that they should look into permanent housing. Teams have nine games to evaluate their teenage prospects before having to make a decision on whether to keep them -- and activate their entry-level ..."
Tucker leaves hospital, not due back soon
Comment
October 25
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche veteran left wing Darcy Tucker probably won't be back anytime soon, but the fact he should be back at all this season might be considered a victory. Tucker suffered a concussion and needed stitches following a hit from behind by Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu on Friday night. The Avs are saying Tucker will be sidelined indefinitely and will not travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. After an initial scare about his reflexes and mobility, Tucker regained full ambulatory response and checked out of a hospital Saturday morning. "It's good news. He's got a concussion, though, and we'll just hope he can come back when he's ready," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. Ruutu was ..."
Avs' Budaj out with flu; Anderson back in
Comment
October 24
Denver Post
 
"About Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson's night off ... Never mind. Colorado backup goalie Peter Budaj, scheduled to get his first start of the season tonight against Carolina, has the flu and won't play. Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said Anderson would start his 10th consecutive game tonight. Tyler Weiman was recalled from Lake Erie, was at the morning skate today and will suit up as Anderson's backup. "Peter came down with some flu-like symptoms (Thursday) afternoon," Sacco said this morning. "I made a call to Craig and informed him that he was going to be playing today." In six games with Lake Erie this season, Weiman has a 3-3 record, a 2.16 goals-against average and a .916 saves ..."
O'Reilly to stay with Avalanche
Comment
October 20
Denver Post
 
"The surprising Avalanche didn't practice Monday, but confirmed that it plans to keep 18-year-old centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly on the roster for Friday's 10th game of the season, against Carolina at home. That all but commits the Avalanche to keeping the two young players through the rest of the season rather than returning them to their major junior teams in the Ontario Hockey League - the Brampton Battalion (Duchene) and the Erie Otters (O'Reilly). The biggest surprise is O'Reilly, the No. 33 overall choice in the 2009 draft. O'Reilly not returning to Erie was mixed news for Sherwood Bassin, the team's general manager and managing partner who also is the OHL's chairman of the ..."
Avalanche's Duchene is up to stay
Comment
October 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"According to a report in the Denver Post, the Avalanche will keep Matt Duchene, the third pick of the 2009 entry draft, with the team for the rest of the season. The Web site of the Brampton Battalion, Duchene's junior club, also reported that coach/GM Stan Butler had been told by the Avalanche that Duchene would not be back. Duchene had his first goal Saturday in a victory in Detroit and has four points in eight games. He's centering the team's second line and is fifth among the team's forwards with 16 minutes, 58 seconds per game. Center Ryan O'Reilly, the team's second-round pick, has a goal, six points and a plus-5 rating in eight games. O'Reilly, who also is 18, is one of the team's ..."
Avalanche's injured goaltender Anderson might resume practice today
Comment
October 7
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson flitted between the Avalanche's player lounge and dressing room Tuesday, a plate of pasta and salad in his hand, ready to share a meal with several teammates. All that looked pleasant enough, but what didn't look good was Anderson's heavily wrapped upper left thigh - and his limp. Anderson, the goaltending star of the Avalanche's first two games, missed practice Tuesday with a groin pull. The team said the injury is minor and that there is a good chance he will resume practice today. Anderson apparently felt a strain after Saturday's game with Vancouver. If he doesn't practice today, Peter Budaj likely would be the starter in Colorado's next game, Thursday at Nashville. ..."
Avalanche goalie Anderson injures groin
Comment
October 7
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson, named one of the NHL's three stars last week with a 2-0 start, did not practice today because of a groin strain. The Avalanche says Anderson's strain is minor in nature, and that he could resume practice Wednesday. But Anderson's left leg was in a wrap and he appeared to be limping today. Anderson stopped 73-of-75 shots in Colorado's season-opening victories over San Jose and Vancouver."
Avs keep 18-year-olds Duchene, O'Reilly on roster
Comment
September 28
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche apparently is taking this "rebuilding" and "youth movement" business very seriously. On Sunday, in solidifying its roster for the opening of the 2009-10 season, Colorado committed to keeping not one, but two highly touted 18-year-old centers - Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Before its Sunday practice, Colorado announced it had reassigned goalie Tyler Weiman, defenseman Derek Peltier and center Chris Durno to the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. That left the Avs with 24 players, one over the limit, but defenseman Tom Preissing will be placed on the injured list. He is expected to be out at least until late October with a knee injury. It wasn't much of a ..."
Avs add a year to Hejduk's deal
Comment
September 25
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche on Thursday lessened the chances of Milan Hejduk's pending unrestricted free agency becoming a major topic this season when it announced the signing of the Czech right wing to a one-year extension. Hejduk will make $3.9 million this season, but accepted a cut to $3 million in 2010-11, while retaining his no-trade clause. If Hejduk, 33, hadn't been locked up, there might have been considerable speculation about his availability as the season progressed. "I didn't want to deal with this thing during the season," Hejduk said Thursday after he didn't suit up for the Avalanche's 3-2 exhibition loss to Dallas. "I don't like that stuff. It's better that you can concentrate on ..."
Forsberg tries again for NHL comeback
Comment
September 23
Denver Post
 
"Former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg officially is trying to make another comeback to the NHL. Wednesday morning, he signed a one-week contract with his longtime Swedish Elite League team, MODO, and will play in today's season-opening game against Frolunda. The plan is this: Forsberg wants to play three games for MODO, then sign with an NHL team. Under NHL bylaws, he can play in Europe until right before the start of the NHL season, Oct. 1, but if he plays there beyond that date, he will be ineligible to play in the NHL in the regular season. "I've made six or seven comebacks, so why not make another one? No,seriously, I've been working hard this summer and I have had a major surgery. ..."
Job in hockey management in Sakic's future?
Comment
July 10
Denver Post
 
"Other than helping coach his sons' youth hockey teams, Joe Sakic said he has no grander coaching aspirations. But a future career in management could be in the retired Avalanche center's future. "I'd like to get to learn the business part of the game. Maybe I could follow Pierre (Lacroix) around for a while," Sakic said. Sakic acknowledged he might like to follow in the footsteps of two of his contemporaries now in management - Steve Yzerman in Detroit and Joe Nieuwendyk in Dallas. But for the next year, at least, Sakic wants to take a breather, with his only hockey activities being part- time coach for the teams of his two boys - Mitchell and Chase. Sakic said he plans to maintain a ..."
Sakic's retirement might just open the door for Duchene
Comment
July 10
Denver Post
 
"Shortly before the Joe Sakic retirement news conference began Thursday, a pack of young players filed into the Inverness auditorium and took seats in one of the back rows. Only one of them, winger Ryan Stoa, a second-round 2005 draft choice who signed with the Avalanche last spring, was born when Sakic played his first NHL game in 1988. Sakic's announcement came roughly four hours after the highly touted Matt Duchene, the No. 3 overall choice in the June 26 entry draft, took the ice for the first time at the Avalanche's practice facility. The Avs' determination to cut payroll, get younger and rebuild through the draft was in evidence when they traded Ryan Smyth to Los Angeles over the ..."
Sakic to retire after 20-year NHL career
Comment
July 8
Denver Post
 
"Twice in a Colorado Avalanche sweater, both times with the captain's "C" near his shoulder, Joe Sakic has accepted the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Now, the face of the franchise is walking away. He will announce his retirement at a news conference Thursday, sources close to Sakic confirmed. In 1996 in Miami, Sakic triumphantly raised the most famous trophy in professional sports. It was notable for many reasons, the most important being that it represented Denver's first major-league championship. In 2001 in Denver, Sakic quickly and deftly handed off the Cup to veteran defenseman Ray Bourque, who had waited years to experience the triumphant moment and get the trophy ..."
Avalanche's Sakic to retire from the NHL on Thursday
Comment
July 7
Denver Post
 
"The news that Avalanche fans had hoped never to hear is nevertheless official: Joe Sakic has decided to retire from the Avalanche. The Denver Post has confirmed that the Avalanche captain will retire Thursday at a 1 p.m. news conference at the Inverness Hotel. After a 20-season career that is sure to land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Sakic had mulled a 21st. Instead, he'll walk away as the Avalanche's all-time leading scorer with 625 goals and 1,641 points in 1,378 games — all with the same franchise. Injuries started to catch up with Sakic last season, limiting him to only 15 games. He had surgery for a herniated disc and wasn't able to make it back for the final weekend of games last ..."
Avs shed Smyth's hefty contract in Kings trade
Comment
July 4
Denver Post
 
"Since finishing last in the West with a high payroll, there has been a mandate from Avalanche ownership: Get younger, get cheaper and rebuild. Part of that mandate was filled Friday night when the Avs traded left wing Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for two young defensemen - Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing - and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. The trade will not become official until the players pass a physical. It may come as a shock to some Avs fans that the team would trade the former all-star, but it has been a poorly guarded secret for a while now that the Avs were trying to trade him. When he signed a five-year, $31.25 million free-agent deal in 2007 that included a no-trade ..."
Laperriere signs 3-year deal with Flyers
Comment
July 2
Denver Post
 
"Former Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere, one of the most popular players in team history, on Wednesday signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Laperriere, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a three-year contract worth $3.5 million. NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected last week. The NHL's free-agent signing period started Wednesday. "I'm very happy," Laperriere said. In four seasons in Colorado, Laperriere scored 40 goals and recorded 72 assists. He had seven goals, 12 assists and 163 penalty minutes last season, when he was an alternate captain on the ..."
Avalanche sign goalie Anderson
Comment
July 1
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson, a goalie who had a good season with the Florida Panthers last season, has signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, the team said today. Anderson is expected to be the Avs' No. 1 goalie next season, with Peter Budaj as his backup. Anderson, 28, was 15-7-5 with Panthers, with a .924 saves percentage, 2.71 goals-against average and three shutouts. Anderson's saves percentage was the third-best in the NHL last season. He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract. He will make $1.5 million this season, and $2.125 million in the second year. Anderson made $575,000 with the Panthers last season. "In Craig we feel we have addressed a very important need within our ..."
Avs shopping for free agents
Comment
July 1
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche is a team in need of a lot of help, and a lot of very good players who could provide some will be available starting today on the free-agent market. But the Avs are like the mortgage holder who bought at the height of the market and has seen the value of the house diminish while living costs continue to escalate. The Avs do not have a lot of money to throw around today when the NHL market opens, and even if they did, multiple league sources say the team is not in a buying mood. In fact, the Avs are looking for ways to cut their payroll, league sources said. The team currently has 18 NHL veterans who either are signed for next season or were tendered qualifying offers to ..."
Monster won't decide until after July 1
Comment
June 30
Sportsnet.ca
 
"Jonas Gustavsson, the free-agent goalie from Sweden is going to wait until after July 1 to announce his decision. Gustavsson's agent Joe Resnick told Hockeycentral "It's highly unlikely we'll commit before 12 noon Wednesday. With so many teams potentially making major changes to their rosters, maybe it's best to wait and watch it unfold first." The 24-year-old was Sweden's national goalie at the world hockey championship and is considered the best goalie not playing in the NHL."
Budaj signs deal, likely No. 2 in net
Comment
June 30
Denver Post
 
"Peter Budaj may not be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche when the 2009-10 season begins. But he will be on the roster. Budaj signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Avs on Monday, avoiding arbitration. The Slovakian native made $800,000 last season, and many speculated he would be cut loose by a team that finished last in the Western Conference. But Budaj is still young, at 26, and always has been praised by teammates for his good attitude and work ethic. Those are the qualities best associated with backup goaltenders, and it is likely Budaj will enter the Avs' training camp as their No. 2 goalie. Colorado is still waiting to hear the decision from 24-year-old Swedish ..."
Avalanche re-sign goaltender Budaj
Comment
June 30
Denver Post
 
"Peter Budaj, who like the rest of the Avalanche suffered through an up-and-down season in 2008-09, has been re-signed by the team. A source with the Avs said Budaj has agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. He made $800,000 with the Avs last season. Budaj went 20-29-5 with Colorado, with a 2.86 goals-against average. The Avs will not re-sign Andrew Raycroft, the team said, which means Budaj will battle with another goalie in training camp for the starting job. Colorado is still waiting to hear from Swedish netminder Jonas Gustavsson, whether it is the team he selects to play with this coming season. Gustavsson, 24, denied a Swedish newspaper report that he had crossed the Avs off ..."
Sakic makes decision, will wait on announcement
Comment
June 27
Denver Post
 
"Joe Sakic has made up his mind what he'll do next season. But whether the Avalanche captain has decided to retire or play a 21st NHL season remains a mystery. Avs general manager Greg Sherman said Friday night he met with Sakic recently in Denver and received word from him what his plans are. But Sherman would not say what they are, and said it could be a week or more before a public announcement is made. The team said Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, is going on a family vacation, and nothing will be announced until at least after he returns. "He made his intentions clear, and in the coming weeks it will be addressed," Sherman said. In a conversation with The Denver Post late last week, ..."
Avs could choose to pass on top 3 players in draft
Comment
June 26
Denver Post
 
"Inside a conference room at the Marriott Chateau Champlain on Thursday, John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene posed together for photographers. Though the order they are predicted to be picked varies from one prognosticator to another, just about everyone believes they will be the first three players taken when the first round of the NHL entry draft begins at 5 p.m. today at the Bell Centre. That would guarantee the Avalanche the opportunity to pick one of the three with the third selection. But will the Avs be in cost-cutting mode and deal away one of their high-priced veterans, or will they pass on one of the big three prospects? The words of Avs chief scout Rick Pracey certainly ..."
Heatley gives Sens wishlist
Comment
June 24
Ottawa Sun
 
"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."
Big guy Hedman is one big deal
Comment
June 24
Denver Post
 
"Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman always has been head and shoulders above players his age, in stature and talent. In November 2006, Hedman was featured in an article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet under the headline "The BIG talent." At the time Hedman was 15, stood 6-feet-5 and weighed 210 pounds. "I've always been big," Hedman said. "But it hasn't always been to my advantage. I had to train a lot when I was younger to get control of my body and learn to skate well. But when I was 13 or 14, things just fell into place." Now 18, Hedman is 6-6, 225 pounds and regarded as one of three plum prospects in Friday's NHL draft. For years, he has been regarded as one of the great talents ..."
Duchene expected for Avs' No.3 pick
Comment
June 23
Denver Post
 
"Matt Duchene, the young man who might become the face of the Avalanche, is someone who: • Still is mad about a 2 percentin his report card score in the seventh grade. • Didn't like the Red Hawks logo of his Haliburton (Ontario) school, so he designed a new one that is still used today. • Was the Ontario Hockey League's scholastic player of the year while attending a high school of 2,500 students. Duchene, 18, clearly has some smarts, but he also is such a good hockey player that his junior coach says he should be the top pick in Friday's NHL draft at Montreal. "Matt is going to lift the Stanley Cup some day," said Stan Butler, coach of Duchene's Brampton Battalion. "He's just one of those ..."
After the Big 3, it's open season
Comment
June 21
Toronto Sun
 
"No curve balls are expected from the pitchers throwing out the first three names at the NHL draft. There's a slim chance the pitchers could change -- the Islanders, Lightning and Avalanche may yet be overwhelmed by a trade offer for their first pick on Friday night -- but a much better bet is they will choose John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene, respectively. "The first three picks have separated themselves," says Michael Oke, the chief scout for International Scouting Services. "Then, the next five to seven, everybody has a different opinion (as to where they'll go), but everybody thinks they'll be there." In putting together a mock draft for Sun Media, Oke and ISS director of ..."
Maple Leafs try to lure Monster between pipes
Comment
June 20
Toronto Star
 
"Free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson jetted into town yesterday, surrounded, apparently, by a cone of silence. It was all quiet from Gustavsson's agent, Joe Resnick, while the only comment Leafs GM Brian Burke was: "Radio silence." Gustavsson – nicknamed The Monster because of his 6-foot-3 frame – blossomed last season in leading Farjestad to the Swedish Elite League championship to become this off-season's most sought-after undrafted player. The 24-year-old was also Sweden's goalie at the world championship. Toronto was the last stop on his tour of the four NHL teams he's interested in, which included Dallas, San Jose and Colorado."
Deadmarsh up for management post
Comment
June 18
Denver Post
 
"Adam Deadmarsh could soon be coming back to the Avalanche. His playing days are over, but Deadmarsh has interviewed for a management position with the Avs organization, the team confirmed Wednesday. Avs vice president Jean Martineau said that while Deadmarsh is not up for the team's vacant second assistant coaching position, he has interviewed for another management job and is being strongly considered. Deadmarsh, 34, expressed last month to The Denver Post a desire to get back into hockey in some capacity. He retired from the NHL in 2005 after suffering concussions and has lived a quiet family life since in Idaho with his wife and two daughters. "I'd really like to get back into the game ..."
Top goalie makes Avs his first stop
Comment
June 16
Denver Post
 
"Jonas Gustavsson received the burgundy-carpet treatment from the Avalanche. Gustavsson, the 24-year- old Swede considered one of the best goalies in the world not currently playing in the NHL, wrapped up an approximately 24-hour trip to Denver on Monday. The Avalanche is one of four NHL teams he is considering joining. Denver was the first stop on his four-city North American tour that will proceed to San Jose, Dallas and Toronto. Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau said Gustavsson arrived Sunday and left Monday afternoon. He was not made available to the media, but Martineau said Gustavsson met with several Avalanche players and management staff, including new coach Joe Sacco, and was ..."
Laperriere nixes offer, likely to leave Avs
Comment
June 12
Denver Post
 
"Ian Laperriere's days with the Avalanche appear to be over. The popular Avs forward is expected to test the NHL's free agent market July 1, unless the team makes a much better offer than it made to him Thursday. With the Avs having salary cap problems for next season as it is, that does not appear to be likely. NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected. "Ian is a reliable player who has brought dependability, leadership and results on the ice for Colorado. I would hope they would see that and want him back, but if not, July 1st is right around the corner and other teams will be ..."
New GM Sherman joins club waiting on Sakic's decision
Comment
June 5
Denver Post
 
"New Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said Thursday that many big player-personnel decisions remain before next season, but one that is out of his hands is whether captain Joe Sakic will play a 21st NHL season. Like his predecessor, Francois Giguere, at this time last year, Sherman is just waiting to hear from Sakic about his plans. "Joe can make the decision on his terms," Sherman said. "Certainly, Joe has earned the respect and the time to make his decision." Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, missed all but 15 games last season because of back and finger injuries. He might have to take a sizable pay cut from the $6 million he made last season if he returns, because of Avalanche salary ..."