NHL Preview: Avalanche

NHL Preview: Avalanche

2005 record: 43-30-9 (95 points)

2005 offense rank: 4th (3.41 goals per game)

2005 defense rank: T-14th (3.06 goals allowed per game)

Key Additions: D Jordan Leopold, C Tyler Arnason, RW Mark Rycroft, LW Wojtek Wolski, D Ken Klee

Key Losses: D Rob Blake, LW Alex Tanguay, D Bob Boughner, RW Dan Hinote

Overview: Colorado surprised many NHL fans by reaching the second round of the playoffs in 2005, but that excitement was tempered during the offseason when defensive mainstay Rob Blake and second-leading scorer Alex Tanguay left via free agency. Although losing Tanguay’s scoring will hurt the Avalanche offense, Colorado has five other players who scored 20 goals or more last season, including Marek Svatos (32 goals), Milan Hejduk (24 goals) and Andrew Brunette (24 goals). Colorado ranked 4th in the NHL last season in goals scored, and should continue to light the lamp on a frequent basis. Blake was Colorado’s best defenseman, and it will be up to Leopold and Patrice Brisebois to fill Blake’s shoes. Colorado’s lack of speed was exposed by Anaheim in the playoffs, and the aging Avalanche roster has many fans concerned – Joe Sakic is 37 and isn’t getting any younger, while C Pierre Turgeon, LW Brad May and Brisebois are all at least 35. Former Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Jose Theodore came to Colorado from Montreal in midseason, but was a disappointment in net. With an average defense in front of him, Theodore needs to play much better if the Avalanche are to have a successful 2006 campaign.

WagerWeb.com odds: +2200 to win the Stanley Cup

Players to Watch: Svatos scored 32 goals in 61 games before injuring his shoulder, and the Avalanche need his goal-scoring to replace the departed Tanguay. Arnason needs to step up and prove he can be the team’s No. 2 center. Sakic led the team with 32 goals and 55 assists, and must continue to produce at age 37, which isn’t a guarantee.

Outlook: Colorado’s offense should be able to make up for the loss of Tanguay, but the defense may not be able to survive losing Blake. The Avalanche enter the season without a true No. 1 defenseman, and somebody needs to step into that role in a hurry. With a young, inexperienced defense in front of him, Theodore needs to return to his Vezina Trophy-winning form. With Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver in their division, the odds don’t favor Colorado challenging for the division title, and many sportsbooks have projected the Avalanche to finish in the middle of the pack

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