Colorado Avalanche season preview
Peter Forsberg will be with the team from the outset, joining key veterans
Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Rob Blake and Adam Foote. And the addition of
defenseman Derek Morris won't make things any easier for other Northwest
teams, even though Chris Drury's character and timely contributions will
be missed. In other words, no one will challenge Colorado's supremacy in
the division or the Avalanche's claim to Stanley Cup contender status.
The best goaltender in the game in Patrick Roy, a lethal 1-2 punch at center with Sakic and Forsberg, a blue line with Blake and Foote and some excellent young support players. Colorado also benefits from a superb GM in Pierre Lacroix who always seems to make brilliant moves when they're needed.
As deep as this team is, it could use some size and strength up front and some role players who score from time to time. The third-line defensive unit is still a question mark.
Riku Hahl, the young Finnish center who could supplant Stephane Yelle on the third line. He saw a lot of action during the playoffs last spring and didn't look out of place.
Forsberg returned in the playoffs and nearly lifted his team to the Stanley Cup. The Avs took Detroit to a seventh game in the conference finals, which might not have happened had Roy not made a bonehead play to cost Colorado Game 6. The Avs, and Roy, feel they have something to prove this year, and they have the ability to do it.
They can sleepskate through the season and still finish first in the Northwest.
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Strengths
The best goaltender in the game in Patrick Roy, a lethal 1-2 punch at center with Sakic and Forsberg, a blue line with Blake and Foote and some excellent young support players. Colorado also benefits from a superb GM in Pierre Lacroix who always seems to make brilliant moves when they're needed.
Weaknesses
As deep as this team is, it could use some size and strength up front and some role players who score from time to time. The third-line defensive unit is still a question mark.
Keep an eye on
Riku Hahl, the young Finnish center who could supplant Stephane Yelle on the third line. He saw a lot of action during the playoffs last spring and didn't look out of place.
Intangibles
Forsberg returned in the playoffs and nearly lifted his team to the Stanley Cup. The Avs took Detroit to a seventh game in the conference finals, which might not have happened had Roy not made a bonehead play to cost Colorado Game 6. The Avs, and Roy, feel they have something to prove this year, and they have the ability to do it.
Prediction
They can sleepskate through the season and still finish first in the Northwest.
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