Avs Weekly Mailbag: Alex Newhook, playoff formats, Byram in the playoffs, and more

Welcome to the weekly Avs mailbag, where we answer whatever Avs questions you have on your mind. If you have any questions for the mailbag, leave them for Evan Rawal on twitter or respond in the comments.

Come on down Alex Newhook, is he a lock for a second year at BC? Should we get the hype train ready for another Hobey Baker winner?

— Talking Avalanche Puck (@PuckTalking) March 2, 2020

Newhook has REALLY cranked it up of late. It’s almost like getting left off the Team Canada WJC team lit a fire under him and he’s taken off. He’s now up to 40 points in 32 games, which puts him sixth in the nation in scoring. He’s also tied for first in the nation with his three shorthanded goals. All things considered, it’s been a pretty dynamite Freshman year for Newhook overall.

That being said, as tempting as it is, I think you definitely leave him in College for another season. Let him go back and dominate another year and then turn pro. As good as he’s been, he hasn’t even really been used as a top line player at BC, so letting him stick around another year isn’t going to hurt him. He barely missed out on Team Canada this season, but I can’t imagine he misses out next season, so he could play a major role on that team as well. He’ll still be eligible because of his January birthday.

I think a lot of people have fears taking him out too early because of what happened with Jost, but they’re different players. That being said, I wouldn’t rush him in any way. Another year at BC isn’t going to hurt him.

What is your ideal playoff format?

— Grumple Jerkskin (@QuotelessJones) March 2, 2020

The current playoff format seemed like an OK idea at the start, promoting rivalries and whatnot, but now it seems like we’re dead set on the second and third best teams in the West facing off in the first round, and that doesn’t seem right. It’s happened in the East a lot, and now it’s finding its way into the West.

If there was a way to just take the top 16 teams in the league to the playoffs, that would be the best way to go about it, in my opinion. However, I couldn’t imagine any way that would get approved, if for nothing other than the travel nightmares of East and West coast teams playing in the first round. To me, the next best solution is just to take the top eight teams in each conference, rank them by points and go from there. Should the top team in the Pacific get the benefit of playing a lesser team just because they won their average division? I don’t think so.

The NHL tends to overthink things. It’s time for that to stop. Just go top eight in each conference and be done with it.

What is your ideal Blueline makeup come next october?
Makar-Byram
Girard-Timmins
Cole-Johnson
Z? Graves?

— Ryan (@OldfordRyan) March 2, 2020

I think the setup above would be the fan’s ideal setup, but I just don’t see it being realistic. Having a top four of guys age 22 and younger seems like a bit of a pipe dream. The reality is, given how things have gone this year, I think we should just plan on Graves and Makar being the top pairing for next season. Once guys like Byram and Timmins develop and step up, it’s possible Byram takes that spot, or they let Byram run his own pairing and go with Girard and Makar, but I have a hard time seeing it next season. Graves is unlikely to be the long term solution with Makar, but they’ve proven to have chemistry and the staff loves Graves overall.

We’ve talked about it in the mailbag before, but I’m having a hard time seeing Zadorov on the team next year due to the numbers game and his new contract maybe being too rich for the Avs blood. That gives a spot to Byram, who is back to dominating the WHL and does not need to go back for another season. Honestly, with the way things have gone this year, Byram in for Zadorov and playing with Cole is the big change I see.

The big question will be how Timmins slots in. After starting the year in Colorado, the Avs have not been too eager to bring him back up, and Bednar has even mentioned other guys are ahead of him. All it takes is one summer for that to change, but I can’t imagine the Avs getting rid of Zadorov AND a guy like Cole in one summer, so I fully expect Timmins to start in the AHL again unless he comes into camp and blows everyone away. There’s no point in keeping him in the press box, so he needs to play somewhere.

Again, this is me talking now and a lot can change between now and training camp in the Fall, but Byram seems like a virtual lock to be in the lineup next season. Timmins’s road may not be as clear.

The obvious goaltending situation. Grubauer is supposed to be our starter, yet Francouz is playing hockey that teams would ride straight to a Stanley Cup. What does Bednar do in this situation once Grubi is healthy again?

— Bleed Burgundy & Blue (@Bleed_Burgundy_) March 2, 2020

Bednar has mentioned numerous times that he will ride the hot goalie. As great as Francouz  is playing right now, we can’t forget that Grubauer looked like the Grubi down the stretch last season before he got hurt. He’s capable of turning it on and getting hot. Right now, the biggest concern with all of this is going to be Grubauer’s health. It took him a while to get going last time he came back from injury, and there is still no clear return date for him.

The playoffs are only a month away. If Grubi comes back and stumbles even a little bit, I have a hard time seeing the Avs going with him when they know Francouz has been great. It won’t surprise me at all if the Avs use both goaltenders in the playoffs.

What are the odds of a Byram call up this year? Next year has to be nearly 100% I'm guessing. Who would be a good pair with him for a playoff push? And how would the defensemen setup in playoffs if everyone healthy and the bring up Byram?

— DavidNola (@DavidNola985) March 2, 2020

Vancouver has clinched their playoff spot in the West in the WHL. However, they are far from a lock to advance far once the playoffs do start. They’re basically locked into that 2 vs. 3 matchup, and sure looks like they’ll play Victoria, who has the same amount of points at the moment.

Last year, the playoffs started in March and round one was over by the time April rolled around. If Vancouver does not make it past round one, Byram will no doubt make his way to Colorado. The question will be whether he heads to the Avs or the Eagles.

Last year, the situation with Makar was a little different. The Avs snuck into the playoffs, and the addition of Makar was like a boost. He also got a little bit of help because Girard happened to get hurt when he showed up, so he had a chance to show off the goods. Once he got in there, there was no taking him out. The Avs are pretty deep on the blue line this year. Could the Avs swap Byram in for Zadorov in the playoffs? It wouldn’t totally surprise me, but we all know Zadorov in the playoffs has been pretty valuable the last two seasons.

My gut says he’d go straight to the Eagles, but I wouldn’t rule out him playing for the Avs in the postseason. It would really only take one injury to guys in the top six before we’re talking about Barberio vs. Byram, and for me, I’d take my chances with Byram. This is all assuming Vancouver doesn’t go on a major run in the WHL, of course.