Where do the Avs need to improve?

[Raucherhusten]

Special Teams. Thank you.

 

[5280]

Something that no one has brought up is how the team's character and style of play will evolve and if JB and by extension, Sakic, can adapt. Probably because it is damn near impossible to say. We are a fast, speedy, transition team now. Will that still be our primary mode of play in 4 years? I can see this style of play for the next several years up to MacKinnon's contract extension. Will we retain that type of character as the players age? I am already concerned about Landeskog's poor play and what that means in terms of re-signing him. Regrettably I never was in the hockey world so I don't know where one would start in terms of building a scouting department. Are we happier with our scouts and their selections since Roy left?

I’m no scouting expert either, but from what I can gather we could use some work in the drafting area, especially since our picks are going to be higher than they have been and we are going to need good players on ELC’s coming up. Our free agent and Euro scouting seems better to me. Again though, I’m no expert and there are posters that know more on this subject than me.

I’m not sure I’d draw the line at “when Roy left” though. IIRC it was revamped while Roy was here.

 

[henchman21]

Do you think we have players in the system who can develop into these roles?
Maybe Newhook for the first one. But I don't think we have the answers to #2/#3. What do you think of Annunen and Kaut?

There are lottery choices, but no sure things. I see Newhook longer term on the wing, his game will have to adapt there to fit the role needed for the Avs. I think Bowers is the best hope for a #2C in the pool, but he's gotta find some offense. Annunen has starter potential, but goalies outside of a select few are wild cards. Middle 6 wingers, Kaut, Ranta, Kovalenko, and Morrison all look to have promise there. I'd project most as more 3rd line types than 2nd line, but one could break out.

 

[95snipes]

I agree with everyone else. 3C is top priority and top 4 RHD would be nice. I will throw 3rd line LW into the mix too. Most likely in the minority, but I would much rather have Nieto as my 13th forward than on my 3rd line if I'm trying to get past St Louis, Vegas, etc etc. Don't want to count on Wilson either.

Right now:
1. Top 4RD - EJ is past his prime, no other veteran RD leaving Makar as the only option. Risky going into the playoffs without veteran depth there. Long term this is Timmins.
2. #3C - Need to push PEB down the lineup and Compher is better suited to a versatile middle 6 player more than as a full time center
3.
4.
5.
6. 2nd line wing - Way down the list because MacK has shown he can run a line by himself which allows spreading of the wealth. Could use one, but don't need it now.

2-4 year Future:
1. #3C - PEB can't roll there long term and will need a long-term solution
2. 2nd line wing - Landy will regress and he will stay in the top 6, but he won't be high impact in 3-4 years... more like a guy MacK is carrying. A RW to play with Mack or Kadri that can put up 25g and 60 points would give the Avs a ton of scoring depth.
3. Backup Goalie - Frank/Grubs will eventually be split as one will be signed here long-term as the starter and other will want a shot. Need a quality backup.
4. Bottom pairing PK specialist - hopefully a guy that doesn't cost a ton (less than $3m per), but with the types of defenders the Avs have coming up a lock down PK guy to anchor a bottom pairing would be ideal.

4+ year future:
1. #2C that can play a high end 2 way game
2. Starting Goalie
3. Versatile middle 6 wingers

So what changed?

 

[henchman21]

So what changed?

I've long been on that train... Landy will be good until he's 30-32 then drop off. Contract is always going to be ugly, but he's an Av lifer.

 

[95snipes]

I've long been on that train... Landy will be good until he's 30-32 then drop off. Contract is always going to be ugly, but he's an Av lifer.

I meant more in the sense that Mack is already carrying him this year with Landy's play so far this season. Half serious, since we all know what he's capable of.

 

[flyfysher]

I meant more in the sense that Mack is already carrying him this year with Landy's play so far this season. Half serious, since we all know what he's capable of.

So I'm not the only one experiencing a sense of trepidation at the prospect of Landeskog's next contract with the Avs given his play?

 

[95snipes]

So I'm not the only one experiencing a sense of trepidation at the prospect of Landeskog's next contract with the Avs given his play?

That's so far away. We still have all of next season + playoffs to see where his games at and where the cap is (and how he/team perform in the playoffs). Too soon to make any predictions. But no, hes not a guy I'd hand an 8 year deal to this summer.

 

[henchman21]

I think we all know that Landy's contract isn't going to be a great value contract... he's likely to get into the 7s/8s and only put up 50 points in years 4-on, but he the captain, face of the franchise, and far too important to the organization. He's going to get signed, it is likely to be ugly as it ages... it just is what it is.

 

[flyfysher]

I think we all know that Landy's contract isn't going to be a great value contract... he's likely to get into the 7s/8s and only put up 50 points in years 4-on, but he the captain, face of the franchise, and far too important to the organization. He's going to get signed, it is likely to be ugly as it ages... it just is what it is.

How do you view Compher's play? Is he meeting expectations and worth keeping or considering for upgrade given his position and cap hit? He won't be protected in the entry draft will he?

 

[henchman21]

How do you view Compher's play? Is he meeting expectations and worth keeping or considering for upgrade given his position and cap hit? He won't be protected in the entry draft will he?

I probably have lower expectations that most... I see him just as a versatile middle 6 player that can be used around the lineup and roles, while being passable at those. So for me, he's meeting expectations. His cap hit is tied for 173rd amongst forwards. Considering there are always 20 or so ELCs that are top 6 guys, that puts Compher at the high end of a 3rd line. For this year, that is probably a bit generous.... not by a ton, but some. Next year and going forward, it will be a solid deal even if he doesn't improve. By the end, it is probably even a bargain.

Expansion is too far away to know what the Avs will do. If the Avs end up protecting 7 forwards, I think he'll get protected. If they go the 8 skater route, he won't be protected.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

When Makar is back I wish they would do more on the powerplay with those two. Get them to swap spots during/after a pass and MacK passes back to Makar for a one timer or have him walk in and shoot/make a play. Obviously not until the shoulder is 100% though.

 

[Foppa2118]

I think we all know that Landy's contract isn't going to be a great value contract... he's likely to get into the 7s/8s and only put up 50 points in years 4-on, but he the captain, face of the franchise, and far too important to the organization. He's going to get signed, it is likely to be ugly as it ages... it just is what it is.

It's impossible to accurately project what kind of numbers Landeskog will put up five years from now.

He'll only be 32 four years into his next deal. He could still be putting up 70 point seasons. It's too early to tell either way.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I've long been on that train... Landy will be good until he's 30-32 then drop off. Contract is always going to be ugly, but he's an Av lifer.

Future Andrew Ladd

Also.. He just has to keep playing defense for Mack and Mikko to still hit 60 points lol.

I agree with your main post btw, just not sure I'd put that 5th top six forward that low. Minor difference though.

I hope Nuke keeps going and choke slams Bura into the bottom six fixing that problem.

 

[shadow1]

If we're talking right now, at this very moment, Game 32 of the 2019-2020 regular season, the biggest weakness on the roster is defense. It's not a huge weakness, but the Avalanche could use another top-4 caliber guy.

Fortunately Nikita Zadorov is playing well the last ~10 games, and with Bowen Byram and Conor Timmins likely coming next season (or sooner), it's hard to see them making a big splash on the back end.

That being said, the one player on the roster who feels like an outcast is Tyson Jost. I've bashed him to death, but for the sake of being objective, let me put it this way: his role on the team is in flux. He keeps bouncing back and forth between center and left wing. While he seems to be a better overall player as a center, he's the worst center at face-offs on the team (and one of the worst in the NHL), so it's hard to play him there.

I won't speculate on names, but I feel that Joe Sakic will move Jost for veteran forward who can help the Avalanche win in the playoffs. It's clear this year is a legit shot at the cup.

 

[ETTHAKING67]

Short Term : An other NHL caliber D and a capable 3rd line C (I don't think Jost is doing a bad job but we could have an upgrade)
Longer term : An other top 6 winger (Donskoi on the 3rd line)
Timmins will fill in as the other NHL D and Bowers/Kaut/Newhook will bring that other offensive depth we need

 

[flyfysher]

If we're talking right now, at this very moment, Game 32 of the 2019-2020 regular season, the biggest weakness on the roster is defense. It's not a huge weakness, but the Avalanche could use another top-4 caliber guy.

Fortunately Nikita Zadorov is playing well the last ~10 games, and with Bowen Byram and Conor Timmins likely coming next season (or sooner), it's hard to see them making a big splash on the back end.

That being said, the one player on the roster who feels like an outcast is Tyson Jost. I've bashed him to death, but for the sake of being objective, let me put it this way: his role on the team is in flux. He keeps bouncing back and forth between center and left wing. While he seems to be a better overall player as a center, he's the worst center at face-offs on the team (and one of the worst in the NHL), so it's hard to play him there.

I won't speculate on names, but I feel that Joe Sakic will move Jost for veteran forward who can help the Avalanche win in the playoffs. It's clear this year is a legit shot at the cup.

Frankly I believe the Avs are in greater need of a top-4 caliber D-man than you acknowledge. Eventually the Avs will have to get by the Blues even if they will be without Tarasenko. To me, that is what Sakic must do in order to compete for the SC. I agree with you about Jost and would overpay to get Pageau if Sakic truly believes he'd be a difference maker. Those are the two immediate needs and that's assuming Zadorov is not going anywhere.

 

[Boulder Avalanche]

The powerplay and playing a full sixty minutes. This team has a nasty habit of coasting in games and allowing teams back in. Not a problem now but as teams become more hungry towards late in the season it could bite the Avalanche back. Getting another defenseman via trade or waiting for prospects would not be a bad idea based upon the decline of Cole and Johnson. Does not need to be a huge contributor only a solid number 4/low end 3.

 

[atreyuavenged]

Don't have to look much farther then guys like Andrew Ladd and Jamie Benn to see what kinda peril we could get into with the next Landeskog contract. I say that as a fan of what both those guys brought to the table.

This team will need either an upgrade or some more depth on D and maybe a middle 6 guy of some sort. The wish list is probably someone like Pageau but I worry that we might be trying to buy high on him.

 

[kl35ha]

Special Teams. Thank you.

100% this! Fix the damn pp and I think we’re golden. It’s basically a major factor why we couldn’t finish the sharks last year. Our pp is just pathetic and shameful.

 

[Avelanche]

I really like the roster. I think any add depends on what’s available. The biggest need is prob a dman to push barb and Rosen out of the lineup come playoffs and push cole/graves to the bottom pair or 7th dman. Forwards maybe a top 9 player who can play the PP. But the offense is great at the moment.

 

[Steerpike]

While EJ isn't amazing at this point in his career, he will still be a warrior come playoff time. Add EJ and Makar back into the lineup and our defensive depth looks great again.

The fact that Timmins and Byram are waiting to join makes going out and aquiring another quality defender short sighted. (Unless a quality rental comes really cheap of course. Crossing my fingers Barrie's value continues to plummet and Toronto are sellers at the TDL)

 

[Hasbro]

We've identified other teams like the Bruins, Lightning and Ducks that do a good job of scouting and drafting. Are there scouts poached? Sorry if these questions are incredibly naive. Just curious. Thanks!

Dorion will either be scapegoated by Melnyk or fired by a new owner, the Avs need to give him a scouting job when that happens,

 

[The Merchant]

Special teams. That's it. If they could manage to move their PP and PK into the top-10 they'd finish the year with the Presidents' Trophy. Sadly, the AC's would prefer to continue banging their heads against a wall and hope things improve naturally.

 

[Avs71]

If the Avs could get a top-4 reliable LHD to play with Makar as a top-pairing. Someone like Muzzin for example.

Muzzin-Makar
Zadorov-Girard
Cole/Graves-EJ

I think that would go a long way to stabilizing things on the back end.