Pre-Game Talk: 2020-21 Colorado Avalanche Preseason Thread

[The Moops]

I'm most excited about Toews. I haven't seen him much at all, so I'm excited to see what he brings. This season is going to be amazing if they can all stay healthy when it matters.

 

[Newusername]

holy smokes, havent been this excited for a season in a while. I have HIGH expectations for this year, remeber the 2013 hawks? the year they had? lets geeett itttttttt

 

[AvsFan29]

Where was this defence when Z was an Av?

 

[Tralfamadore]

Where was this defence when Z was an Av?

Z about to breakout as an all situations #1 franchise defenceman.

 

[henchman21]

Z about to breakout as an all situations #1 franchise defenceman.

God would there ever be bitching on this board!

In truth, this is about as good of opportunity for Z to shine as there is. Chicago has the roster space and understanding of a development season to give him as long of leash as possible. They also run a quasi man defensive system that plays to Z's strengths of 1v1 defending and limits his hockey IQ issues as he doesn't have to worry about all in his zone. He's also going to get paired with Boqvist or Mitchell for most of the season and they look like solid guys offensive that can help Z there. This is as prime of opportunity for him to live up to his talent as there is. I hope he grabs it as Z is a good dude and fun to watch when you don't have to live with his mistakes.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Where was this defence when Z was an Av?

These are actually the defensive situations Zadorov is great in, if his job was just to shadow the best player on the ice for the opposing team he'd be great. It's when he has to defend against a cycle and the puck is moving around a bit that he falls apart.

 

[shadow1]

Landeskog-Kadri-Saad is such a stingy line. I do question whether or not Saad can hit the 20 goal mark with those guys though. Interested to see how they will be utilized.

EDIT: Still thinking with an 82 game mindset. 14 goals is the real bar.

I'll also be interested to see what this line does.

Last year Kadri had issues finding chemistry with his line mates until the end of the season, when the trio of Burakovsky-Kadri-Nichushkin played together and were great.

The Landeskog-Kadri-Nichushkin line, which played together for about 5-6 games in the playoffs, was a complete black hole offensively.

 

[Tralfamadore]

I'll also be interested to see what this line does.

Last year Kadri had issues finding chemistry with his line mates until the end of the season, when the trio of Burakovsky-Kadri-Nichushkin played together and were great.

The Landeskog-Kadri-Nichushkin line, which played together for about 5-6 games in the playoffs, was a complete black hole offensively.

That line on paper seems to have an identity but I don't how it will translate on to the ice. They're sort of similar players and they lack a bit of playmaking or dynamics. Kadri has a bad habit of trying to do too much himself sometimes which could be an issue with Landy and Saad on his wings.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Zadorov actually looks slower than ever in that video but I still wouldn’t be shocked if he has a huge year from a shutdown perspective. He’s a damn good shutdown defenseman when his role is man focused. Issue is that’s not Bednar’s system and the Avs are just far too good all round to alter their structure to benefit a player of Zadorov’s caliber when the likes of Girard, Toews, EJ and Makar manning our back end.

 

[CharlesPuck]

The blue pants and gloves with white jerseys and helmet isn't going to look good. I remember seeing a render of it a few months ago and it looked awkward.

Its gonna look amazing. Can't wait!

 

[Avsboy]

Z still can’t handle a puck. That’s all that matters.

 

[henchman21]

Z still can’t process hockey. That’s all that matters.

Fixed.

 

[Tralfamadore]

Its gonna look amazing. Can't wait!

I'm digging the home uniform I'm just unsure about the aways. Something just looks off. I think it's because there's no blue on the away jersey.

Worth noting these pics are unofficial.

 

[Foppa2118]

Where was this defence when Z was an Av?

Stapled to the bench.

 

[Mighty Makar]

 

[Cousin Eddie]

As expected, the pants are a dull steel blue. They look tremendous. Can’t wait to see them with the full uniform.

 

[The Abusement Park]

As expected, the pants are a dull steel blue. They look tremendous. Can’t wait to see them with the full uniform.

View attachment 381947

So you hate tradition

 

[henchman21]

They look like a great basis for 2-3 ads to be stitched on.

 

[UncleRisto]

They look like a great basis for 2-3 ads to be stitched on.

I count four if we're dead set on keeping the logo. Big square ads on both hammies, word marks on each side of the pants, and then one on the front of the thigh.

 

[henchman21]

I count four if we're dead set on keeping the logo. Big square ads on both hammies, one on each side of the pants, and then one on the front of the thigh.

Five if we make them have a lower back Shotgun Willy's ad.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Five if we make them have a lower back Shotgun Willy's ad.

No jersey is complete without a tramp stamp

 

[UncleRisto]

Five if we make them have a lower back Shotgun Willy's ad.

Ball logo on the front obviously cause it's funny. Then they can have something a little more subtle like Pepsi on one side, maybe Coors on the other, and then just like a Toyota ad on one hammy (white base, red logo) and Mastercard on the other (with the regular red and yellow).

 

[MonsterMack]

Still think the aways should have burgundy gear

 

[henchman21]

Ball logo on the front obviously cause it's funny. Then they can have something a little more subtle like Pepsi on one side, maybe Coors on the other, and then just like a Toyota ad on one hammy (white base, red logo) and Mastercard on the other (with the regular red and yellow).

We have to throw in a Finnish ad just as a nod to the inspiration.

 

[Tralfamadore]

Still think the aways should have burgundy gear

That would make more sense. The blue just feels out of place on the aways.