To be a Contender, You Need an Actual Tender

19goavsgo writes "So far the 2008-09 season has seen the avalanche start the season with an abysmal 5-7-0 record. For avs fans this record simply isn't good enough and an arguably be attributed to the lack lusting performance of their "goalies". For God's sake, even the Toronto make-me-laughs are doing better!

The poor management decision exhibited by frank giguere in investing 1.5 million dollars into 2 mediocre back up goalies has resulted in:

combined save % of: 0.86875
combined GAA of: 3.50

Personally, I think the team owes not only its fans but their captain, Burnaby Joe the effort to put an established no. 1 goalie in net. I would like to see the team make a trade w.Chicago for a goaltender. The stats speak for themselves in establishing the possibility for either of them to be chicago's No.1:

Khabibulin: 4-1-2, GAA - .238, save % .919
vs.
Huet: 2-2-1, GAA - .273, save % 910

Khabibulin at this point seems to be using the threat of losing his job to keep him playing at the level Blackhawk brass expected him to.

Current Avalanche salaries committed: 53,060,000 --> two possible scenarios

A) To Chicago:
    Lw - Wojtek Wolski - cap hit = 2,800,000
    D - Jordan Leopold - cap hit = 1,500,000
    G - Peter Budaj - cap hit = 750,000

    To Colorado:
    G - Nikolai Khabibulin - cap hit = 6,780,000

or

B) To Chicago:
    Lw - Wojtek Wolski - cap hit = 2,800,000
    G - Peter Budaj - cap hit = 750,000
    C- Cody Mccormick - cap hit = 522,000
    1st rd draft pick 2009

    To Colorado:
    Cristobal Huet - cap hit = 5,625,000

Scenario A would leave alleviate some cap space for Chicago while providing offense on the point with Leopold, and putting an center capable Wolski in the roster to replace Lang.Also, it doesnt leave them high and dry in backup goaltending. For Colorado, It gives them solid goaltending, an open roster spot for either potent prospect Kyle *****iskey or Daniel Tjarnqvist

Scenario B does not have the same financial alleviation as does the prior deal. However, it does add the same in Wolski, some needed grit in Mccormick, a backup G and a draft pick. For the Avs, once again Solid Goaltending while not leaving the lineup in tatters.

A - leaves Avalanche cap hit at 54.79 million
B - leaves Avalanche cap hit at 54.613 million

These deals would leave plenty of room to sign Forsberg at the deadline to another prorated contract, and turn the Avalanche into a sudden contender w. solid goaltending, reliable defense and a very potent offense. Furthermore, it Gives Joe another shot.

P.S --> I KNOW FORSBERG GETS INJURED, BUT THERES NO DENYING HIS ABILITY WHEN ON THE ICE.... AND THAT HE GOT THEM INTO THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR.

This is my first submission to HTR, so take it easy and let me know what you think!

Sources:
http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=Stats

http://salaries.hockeyanalysis.com/teams/colorado.php

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=Stats

http://salaries.hockeyanalysis.com/teams/chicago.php

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