Goaltending Will Determine If Rocky Times Ahead In Colorado

nordiques100 writes "The Colorado Avalanche are one of the league's most talented teams. They have an abundance of leadership, skill and grit that could make life difficult for opponents. But this will all mean nothing if the team receives average goaltending, perhaps in the end costing them a playoff spot.

Simply put, Peter Budaj and/or Andrew Raycroft must overachieve or else the Avs willl be one of the most underachieving teams around. GM Francois Giguere is banking on them succeeding and his job depends on it.

He has put quite a bit of stock that Budaj will return to the form he showed as a rookie and not be the inconsistent goalie from last year who faltered badly as number 1 and eventually lost his job to Theodore. He took a flyer on Raycroft who he hopes will rebound under the tutulege of former teammate Jeff Hackett who helped revive the career of Theodore. But he has struggled badly the last few years and is at this point a risk.

If both goalies fail, there could be lots of explaining to do in Colorado. In fact, much of what Giguere has done needs an explaination. To go along with the questionable goaltending choices, free agents like Smyth and Hannan have not worked out. the poor contract to Brett Clark is a cap killer and the re-hiring of Tony Granato as coach provides only more questions instead of answers which the Avs need now.

Granato was replaced as coach post lockout with Joel Queneville and now after 3 years as his assistant, he again returns behind the bench to prove he can coach in this league. He wasnt bad in his first stint. He got his team into the playoffs and had a couple successful regular campaigns. But he was outcoached in the spring and being the player coach that he was, wasnt tough enough on the team that needed that push and perhaps that was why it was outmatched when it mattered most.

There is much work to be done. The team improved defensively and must continue to make strides. At the very least, the team must improve on the PK where they have struggled. The offence has sputtered under coach Q and Granato needs to bring together all that talent he has and get them to be a powerhouse scoring unit again. 3rd last in the league on the PP is unacceptable for the types of players they can put out there.

But at the end of the day, the goalie will make the coach look good. Here though, it might get ugly if they dont pull through.

Lineup

No doubt the team has skill and has plenty of character. With the leadership on this team, that alone could help them pull together and be an effective unit.

C: Joe Sakic, Paul Statsny, TJ Hensick, Tyler Arnason, Ben Guite, Cody McCormick
RW: Milan Hedjuk, Marek Svatos, Darcy Tucker, Ian Laperriere, Scott Parker
LW: Ryan Smyth, Wojtek Wolski, Cody McLeod,

One of Giguere's only good moves was convincing captain Sakic to return. He is the glue and anchor of this team. While injuries held him back last season, he is still an elite scorer. He owns the quickest pair of hands in the league and his smarts and saavy are near impossible to replace. His return makes bringing back Peter Forsberg again later this season a possibility.

While Sakic seems ageless, its the kids that will stir the drink for Colorado. Statsny is their cornerstone for the next decade and if he stays healthy, the Avs are getting a point per game performer. His playmaking ability and his consistency are the sort of trademarks he is showing reminding us of the great player that was his father Peter Statsny. Svatos is another who needs good health. He has proven he can be capable of 30 goals, it would be nice for him to play a full season however. If he can, 40 plus isnt out of the question for this highly skilled winger. This is a big year too for Wolski who the team hopes can realize his unlimited potential. He has size, speed and skill, he just hasnt put it all together and had a big season yet. But he is due.

Hedjuk is no longer a Rocket Richard Candidate but if he can give the Avs roughly 30 goals, call it a job well done. The team needs veterans Smyth and Tucker to rebound after poor seasons on last year. Injuries played a part but if they can get back to playing gritty inspirational hockey, that can only benefit the Avs, especially their PP.

There is plenty of additional grit from players like McLeod, Laperriere, Guite but what they need from these role players is to help improve the weak PK. They will however make the Avs a tough team to play against and offer plenty of edge and aggressiveness to the team.

D: Adam Foote, Jordan Leopold, Scott Hannan, John Liles, Ruslan Salei, Brett Clark, Daniel Tjarnqvist

Veteran Foote returns to anchor the D and with him Salei and Hannan the team has a strong defensive foundation. Foote is past his prime to be dominant but can be a steadying force still and offers a ton of leadership. Hannan had a poor season last year but with Foote around he play more relaxed and play that safe reliable game that got him that big contract.

Offensively the team made a commitment to Liles to star in that role and he needs to prove it. He has skill and is their best playmaker and puck mover on defence. He needs to run a more effective PP as he does not want to fall into the bust category like Clark. Leopold is adept at moving the puck but has never shown productivity. They just need him to get the puck to their fleet forwards. He too has struggled to stay healthy.

G: Peter Budaj, Andrew Raycroft

Budaj seemed to cave when the pressure was on him to perform as the team's number 1. He didnt take advantage of the situation and will be given a second chance at redemption. If he falters again, that could spell trouble. Raycroft was already given his second chance in Toronto after losing out in Boston and failed at the opportunity. 3rd time's the charm and now out of the hotbed of Toronto hopefully he can survive under the limited scrutiny in Colorado. Hackett made a name for himself reinvigorating Theodore's career and now he will need to do the same for these two. We shall soon see if he is a miracle worker.

Depth

F: Codey Burki, Per Ledin, Tom Fritsche, Chris Durno, Matt Hendricks, Nathan Smith, Marty Sertich, Brian Willsie, Philippe Dupuis
D: Darcy Campbell, Kyle *****insky, Wes O'Neill, Michael Vernace, Aaron Mackenzie
G: Jason Bacashihua, Mike Wall

Prospects

One thing that has remained consistent in Colorado is their ability to build a deep farm system.

F: Chris Stewart, David Jones, Ryan Stoa, Mike Carman, Denis Parshin, TJ Galiardi
D: Kevin Shatterkirk, Nigel Williams, Colby Cohen, Carman Gaunce
G: Trevor Cann, Peter Delmas

Jones is a big body forward who has a good chance to make the team very soon. He is much like former Av Andrew Brunette in that he uses his size and smarts to be in good position to score and is willing to work. Hensick is the next to join their young core and should prove to be a quality player. His speed and smarts will be a nice change of pace for this team. Swedish Vet Per Ledin is likely to crack the roster adding more scoring depth. He also has a bit of edge to his game.

Here are some of the Avs other prospects:

Chris Stewart - Power forward looking to improve all around game
Kevin Shatterkirk - puck moving blueliner apprenticing in college
Nigel Williams - big defenceman has offensive skills
TJ Galiardi - playmaking centre likely to fill checking role

The depth the team has allowed them to make a pitch to bring back Foote and might be the key to them getting a stronger netminder should they require one.

Prediction - 9th in the West, 18th overall

The Avs are a playoff team if they get any kind of goaltending. But for now there are no guarantees which leaves the team in limbo. Coaching is a questionmark as well as Granato didnt get the job done the first time around and like goaltending, there are no guarantees he can get the job done this year. The team still managed to struggle to a playoff spot last year but with several improving teams breathing down their neck this season a repeat may prove difficult."