While their Western Conference foes have shuffled their rosters for a Cup run, the Avalanche roster is nearly a carbon copy of last season's title-winning squad. Keeping greatness in tact was GM Pierre Lacroix's focus heading into the offseason. Lacroix did make one key transaction, acquiring All-Star defenseman Rob Blake to replace retiring star Ray Bourque. Other than Blake, the usual suspects will suit up for the Avalanche this fall as the veteran team assumes the role of Cup favorites.
Here are your thoughts on what Colorado needs for next season:
Players need a new motivation
There will be no "Win one for Ray" or "Home ice or bust" for motivation this year. The Avs will need to shake the cobwebs from their Cup hangover before X-mas, although they'll do just fine on talent alone until then. They can't afford Rob Blake and more importantly, Joe Sakic, to become complacent now that they are signed until they reach old age. As the case every year, the Avs ( just about every team, but especially the Avs) can't be truly evaluated until after the trade deadline. The Avs versus the Red Wings (Roy/Dominik Hasek) could be more exciting than the Cup finals.
Phil
Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Future is now for Avs' blue line
By re-signing their core players, the Avs guaranteed themselves another run at the Cup. The only major loss is Ray Bourque. But it gives the Avs' minor-leaguers a chance to step up to the big club in the upcoming year, as Alex Tanguay, Ville Nieminen, Dan Hinote, and Martin Skoula did this past year. Berry and Bryan Muir will compete for Bourque's spot on the roster, and Brian Willsie had a good season and could be a solid third liner. I see the Avs possibly repeating, probably making the finals, and definitely getting to their fourth straight (sixth in seven years) conference final. Opening day can't come too soon!
Jason
Long Beach, Calif.
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I see the Avs possibly repeating, probably making the finals, and definitely getting to their fourth straight (sixth in seven years) conference final. Opening day can't come too soon! ” |
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— Jason, Long Beach, Calif. |
Trade strategy is unfair
My bet is that the Avalanche will do what they did last year and go get the biggest name right before the trade deadline and basically buy the Stanley Cup. The Yankees do it every year in baseball so I guess it was a matter of time until a hockey team caught on. I think we have found the Yankees of hockey, and that is not a compliment. I think that all trades should be done before the season starts so no one "loads up" right before the playoffs.
Lee
Duluth, Minn.
Overcoming adversity is lifeline for Colorado
Even though the Avalanche don't have as much depth on defense and in goal as they would ideally like, they're still a scary, scary team. What clinched that for me was when they won the Cup without Peter Forsberg. I can't name another team that could lose such a potent player and win not one, but two playoff series to take home the Cup.
Greg
Cleveland
Rocky road awaits defending champs
I think that Ray Bourque, even though he is retired, will have a lasting impact on the Colorado Avalanche. His leadership on and off the ice will continue to inspire the Avalanche throughout their times of trouble. The Avalanche, in my opinion, will repeat as Stanley Cup Champions, but it will be a difficult road to the title. The revamped Red Wings will be a force to be reckoned with, as will the new-look Dallas Stars.
Daniel
Toronto
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Don't get me wrong, the road to Lord Stanley's cup goes through Denver, but will the Avs have enough hunger to repeat? Only time will tell. ” |
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— Matt, Jefferson City, Mo. |
Perfect plan remains in place
The Avs had a perfect season. They set up a mission during training camp and followed through until the very end and won the Stanley Cup. Going into the 2001-2002 season, their offense is basically the same as it was last year. No need to even touch that. They need to add some depth to their defense, though. Other than that, I consider this team the favorite to win it all next year and repeat as champs
Matteo
Las Vegas, Nev.
Offseason losses, spending could hurt Cup chances
I think it's safe to say the only place to go after the season the Avs had is down. But to Colorado's credit, it avoided any drastic decline. By re-signing their big three free agents, the Avs ensured that they are the team to beat in the West and in the NHL for that matter. Their back line did take a hit with the losses of Ray Bourque and Jon Klemm. I believe much of what lifted the Avs above teams like the Blues and the Devils was the 1-2-3 punch on defense. Now Bourque is gone and has been replaced with a guy who spent a chunk of last season in the minors because he wasn't good enough for Detroit's lackluster back line. And with the combined annual salary of their big three free agents equaling more than some teams' entire payroll, it's likely that Peter Forsberg will be traded, thus ending arguably the best one-two punch up the middle. Signing Rob Blake, Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy to multi-year deals may be regretted down the line. Sadly, Colorado's contrast from 2000-01 to 2001-02 will be a symbol of everything that is wrong with the free agency status quo. Players put their heart and soul into the game during the year before free agency, then after signing lucrative contracts, their desire and performance dwindles. Don't get me wrong, the road to Lord Stanley's cup goes through Denver, but will the Avs have enough hunger to repeat? Only time will tell.
Matt
Jefferson City, Mo.
Few obstacles block repeat Cup run
The Avs have an excellent chance to repeat. The two areas of concern are Patrick Roy staying injury-free (this is always a concern since losing a goalie of his caliber for any length of time would be difficult to overcome), and the Avs keeping their motivation and determination at the same level as they did last season. Fortunately, Patrick rarely misses many games due to injury, and even without Ray Bourque, the Avs have some very respected and experienced leaders. Next season should be a blast.
Tricia
Littleton, Colo.
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The Avs versus the Red Wings (Roy/Dominik Hasek) could be more exciting than the Cup finals. ” |
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— Phil, Mount Pleasant, S.C. |
Depth is cause for concern
At what price, beauty? The Avs sure do have five good players and a couple of solid wingers, but what happens when the third and fourth lines come out on the ice? The Avs are forced to play a bunch of young kids or old hockey players sans talent. Anyone on those lines is going to be getting smacked around by the other team's checking lines. Congrats, Colorado, you won the Cup last year, but its going to be a while until your next.
Greg
Alpharetta, Ga.
Avs remain best in West
They are by far the best team in the league, and I firmly believe that they will win the Cup again next season. Not much has changed since they won the Cup, and the addition of Todd Gill will help fill the void of Ray Bourque's retirement. I don't see Joe Sakic and Co. slowing down as far as individual production. They also have established themselves as the one team who will go out and get the big trade at the deadline. They will probably do it again. Detroit is too old and will flounder in the playoffs again. St. Louis is just not good enough, and Dallas, although a much different club, is still not as talented as the Avalanche. I think that Brett Hull will find his way into an Avalanche uniform as well, and that will just about solidify another great Cup run next season.
Michael
Salt Lake City
