OFF-SEASON PLAYER ADDITIONS
Jason Bacashihua, G (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Hershey Bears of the AHL)
David Liffiton, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Greg Mauldin, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the New York Islanders)
Julian Talbot, C (Acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues)
David Van Der Gulik, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Calgary Flames)
Ben Walter, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the New Jersey Devils)
Daniel Winnik, C (Acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Coyotes)
OFF-SEASON PLAYER LOSSES
Codey Burki, C (Signed with HC Lugano of Switzerland)
Brett Clark, D (Signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Chris Durno, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Brian Fahey, D (Signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals)
Darren Haydar, RW (Signed with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL)
Matt Hendricks, C (Unsigned Free Agent)
T.J. Hensick, C (Traded to the St. Louis Blues)
Wes O’Neill, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Derek Peltier, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Tom Preissing, D (Signed with Karpat Oulu of Finland)
Ruslan Salei, D (Signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings)
Marty Sertich, C (Signed with EHC Olten of Switzerland)
Brett Skinner, D (Signed with Amur Khabarovsk of the KHL)
Marek Svatos, RW (Unsigned Free Agent)
Darcy Tucker, LW (Unsigned Free Agent)
Tyler Weiman, G (Signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks)
Brian Willsie, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals)
Stephane Yelle, C (Unsigned Free Agent)
2009-10 Season Finish: 2nd Northwest Division, 8th Western Conference, 95 Pts.
2009-10 Playoffs: Lost 4-2 to the San Jose Sharks in the Quarterfinals
2010-11 Prediction: 4th Northwest Division, 11th Western Conference
The Colorado Avalanche weren’t expected to have a successful 2009-10 season, as the team was beginning a rebuild and not expected to make it to the post-season. The Avalanche exceeded everyone’s expectations by having a strong start to the 2009-10 campaign, but faded in the second half of the season and finished eighth in the Western Conference, beating out the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames for a playoff spot by five points. The off-season was not a productive one for the team, as they cut ties with several veteran players and have yet to find adequate replacements for some of them. One of the bigger issues facing the Avalanche this season is their offense and whether or not their young talent will be productive enough to carry the team. Paul Stastny, arguably one of the top forwards in Colorado, brings a wealth of playmaking skill, two-way ability, and offensive talent to the forward lines, while sophomore Matt Duchene brings some goal-scoring upside and playmaking skill, and will look to improve upon his fine rookie season in 2010-11. Milan Hejduk provides plenty of goal-scoring skill, offensive depth, and a good shot to the team despite being somewhat susceptible to injury, while newcomer Daniel Winnik brings some defensive talent to the lineup, as well as some skill to the penalty kill. Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller had successful seasons with the Avalanche in 2009-10 with their offensive skill and goal-scoring abilities and will look to put up even better numbers in 2010-11, while Ryan O’Reilly brings some two-way upside to the team, as well as some skill on the penalty kill. T.J. Galiardi gives the Avalanche plenty of playmaking skills, energy, excellent skating, and some skill on the faceoff, while Brandon Yip and Ryan Stoa bring some offensive skill and goal-scoring ability to the lineup. Cody McLeod and David Koci give the Avalanche two very physical and gritty forwards, while David Jones and Kevin Porter bring some scoring potential to the fourth line. Prospect forwards who will be looking to make the team’s roster at training camp include Philippe Dupuis, Tom Fritsche, Justin Mercier, Harrison Reed, Julian Talbot, and Zach Cohen.
Despite losing veterans Brett Clark and Ruslan Salei via free agency this past summer, the Avalanche blueline still boasts some talented veteran players that should help keep the team competitive defensively. John-Michael Liles brings lots of offensive skill, speed, mobility, and skill on the power play to the blueline, while Scott Hannan gives the Avalanche some size and physical play as a shutdown defenseman. Adam Foote brings lots of toughness, grit, defensive depth and leadership to the team, while Kyle Quincey brings some offensive skill and toughness to the blueline. Kyle Cumiskey gives the Avalanche plenty of mobility and offensive upside on defense, while Ryan Wilson provides some size, toughness, and offensive potential to the blueline. Defensive prospects that will look to make the team at training camp include Kevin Shattenkirk, Ray Macias, Jonas Holos, Kevin Montgomery, and Colby Cohen.
The Avalanche goaltending duo of Craig Anderson and Peter Budaj will return once again in 2010-11 and look to keep the team competitive in goal once again. Anderson enjoyed a great start to last season, but faded a little down the stretch, so expectations will be a little high on him to perform well once again. Budaj gives the team a solid backup goaltender who can jump into the starter’s role when necessary, but struggles when given the starter's role. Veterans John Grahame and Jason Bacashihua, as well as youngster Trevor Cann, will look to challenge Budaj at training camp for the backup role.
TEAM STRENGTHS
- Lots of talented young forwards to rebuild the team around.
- Lots of grit and toughness on defense.
TEAM WEAKNESSES
- Need more veteran depth on offense.
- Could use a more stable backup goaltender.
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