Colorado Avalanche Roundtable: A Christmas Story

In honor of the Christmas season, the BSN Avalanche crew will be celebrating with holiday themed Roundtable questions.

If you were in the Colorado Avalanche front office, what one present would you most like to find under the Christmas tree?

Cheryl: Well, I could say something totally unrealistic like, “A gift card for 35 more wins this season” or “a ridiculously lopsided trade that gave the Avs another superstar while only costing Nate Guenin,” but I’ll stay in the realm of this-could-actually-happen and say Nikita Zadorov, complete with a newfound consistency and maturity that will make him ready to dominate the NHL.

Evan: How about a late Christmas present?  Mid-January additions of Nikita Zadorov and Mikko Rantanen, who started the year on the Avs, would help improve the depth of this team.  Both have been playing a lot in the AHL and gaining confidence as the season has gone on.  An improved Zadorov would help the Avs immensely, as Roy seems to have very little faith on whoever he puts on that pairing.  The Avs need another defenseman who can eat up some minutes and take some ice time away from a guy like Nick Holden.

Nick: I agree with a Zadorov call-up. Nate Guenin should not be playing in the NHL every day, and Nick Holden is not a top-four defenseman, even though he is playing those minutes right now. Zadorov is a top-four defenseman who could help the Avs keep this dominate defensive play right now. However, since Cheryl and Evan are already putting Zadorov under the tree, I will go in a different direction, because we can all still agree that the Avs need more help all around, despite the current win streak.

I would give the present of an additional top-six forward. I like Evan’s idea of calling up Rantanen, but there has been indications that Roy and Sakic want to keep him in the AHL all year, plus it also makes more sense financially down the road. So, I will bring up the idea of a trade. Patrick Marleau, Ryan Johansen? Not sure who the Avs would have to give up, however. But adding another scoring threat to play with Iginla would lighten the load of expectations on Alex Tanguay and/or John Mitchell playing top-six minutes.

Andi:  Honestly, I’d like to see a bit more mental fortitude from the players over the second half of the season. The Avs have quite a bit of talent this year, but the details of their game and inability to get back on track after stuff goes poorly has always been a problem.  As much as I’d like to see prospects or trades find their way on the rosters, this team isn’t going to be competitive until the core players they already have come to play night after night.

They’ve been doing better of late, but there’s still a ton of room for improvement.  I’d love to see them come back from Christmas refreshed, focused, and ready to work on the stuff they can control and let go of the stuff they can’t.

So, basically, I want this team to get Yoda for Christmas. Do, or do not. There is no try.

J.D.:  I would like to see either a big defenseman rise up to pair with Tyson Barrie (no offense to Nick Holden, who has done a good job – but I would like to see someone who can help elevate the level of play on the second d-line) or a change in the team’s defensive scheme.  I also like Evan’s suggestion of a January call-up for Rantanen and Zadorov (assuming he has received the coaching to fill in whatever gaps he’s needed to learn).

What play/player/or front office move would you award a lump of coal?

Cheryl: Have to say Alex Tanguay. Not that I dislike the guy. Far from it. He’s just been playing like a lump of coal all year. Getting old sucks.

Evan: Nate Guenin.  Opposing teams know he isn’t good, and they attack him.  The coaching staff, for whatever reason, hasn’t figured it out.

Nick: Alex Tanguay, and the front office’s idea that he is still a top-six forward in this league. It’s sad, but at this point I wouldn’t mind seeing Tanguay hang up the skates and play in the alumni game in a few months. He just doesn’t have it anymore, and I wish the organization would see how much he slows the game down out there. Tanguay is this year’s Danny Briere, but isn’t getting the healthy-scratch treatment. Avs need help in this department.

Andi:  I hate to kick a guy when he’s down (literally), but I’ve been very disappointed in Dennis Everberg’s play this year. After last season, I was hoping he’d take a step to solidify his spot as an Avs depth forward, but it just didn’t happen.

J.D.:  Hiring Dave Farrish. I am not yet sold on the current defensive strategy.

Which player would you pick to be the star on top of the Avalanche tree?

Cheryl: Matt Duchene. He’s been so much fun to watch the past couple of months, and while Semyon Varlamov has been exceptional, there’s just something about Duchene that oozes all the good feels.

Evan: Nathan MacKinnon.  Even when he’s not scoring goals, the other team still has to account for him, and he’s been the Avs most dangerous player all year long.

Nick: Semyon Varlamov has earned the spot on top of the tree be returning to form at the top of his game. He is the main reason the Avalanche has climbed back into the playoff race and finally gotten above .500 on the season. Duchene and MacKinnon are those two large, shiny ornaments that you put towards the top of the tree so everyone notices them, because they have been special all year.

Andi:  Easily Duchene, although Varlamov has been playing well of late too.  It’s just hard to go with anyone other than the player who’s already within 11 goals of his career high while still in the month of December.

J.D.:  Erik Johnson.  He has done a remarkable job adapting his style of play, partnering with Beauchemin and pinching up on offense when appropriate.  All though, all of the other suggestions are worthy contenders as well.

Bonus question – which player deserves the special Christmas egg nog?

Cheryl: None of them. I like our team too much to subject them to disgusting egg nog.

Nick: I’m unsure if this is a bad thing or a good thing. Much like Cheryl, I don’t like egg nog. But if it’s supposed to be a good thing, I would give it to Jack Skille. The guy deserves to have a great Christmas break with the season he’s had with the Avalanche. After earning a contract via a tryout during training camp, he has appeared in every game for the Avalanche this season, and has consistently brought his same game of speed and hustle every night.

IF, the special egg nog is a bad thing, however, I would give it to my favorite hockey player of all time, Chris Drury, for not being able to attend the 20th anniversary night. It just disappointed me. I hope he can make it for the alumni game.

Andi:  Egg nog is delightful, so I don’t know what the rest of you are talking about. Personally, I think EJ and Beauchemin are the most deserving of the delectable holiday beverage, particularly if it’s spiked with alcohol.  After the workload they’ve had so far this year, the two of the deserve to kick back, relax, and enjoy the break.

As far as the depth players go, Andreas Martinsen, John Mitchell, and Nick Holden all deserve a sip as well.  Holden still has his limitations, but his play has returned to acceptability, and Martinsen and Mitchell both bring critical elements to our bottom six.  Soderberg’s been playing really well lately too, especially considering the heavy defensive load he’s carrying.

J.D.:  I agree with Andi, egg nog IS delightful. I would offer egg to the new guys who have stepped up and had a quality impact on the team – Francois Beauchemin, Carl Soderberg, Blake Comeau, Jack Skille, Andreas Martinsen and Mikhail Grigorenko.  The Avalanche have upgraded their depth thanks to the play of these guys.  Also, I would offer a special glass to Jesse Winchester who I hope to see someday in an Avalanche uniform.  If anyone deserves some egg nog with a little rum, it’s him.