BT's 2008-09 NHL Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche

Although I hate to say it, Sakic returning to Colorado is far more important than Mats Sundin returning to the Leafs. While Mats has been doing little bits of something with nothing surrounding him in Toronto, Sakic has recently posted a 100-point season (2006-07) and led the Avs to the playoffs, working with a young roster with few consistent standouts.
 
As has been the theme of the past few seasons, the Avs' young stars will have to step up. Wojtek Wolski will have to hold on to the two-way presence he found last season, but put up some points while he's at it and become a 60-point threat.
 
In his first two seasons, Paul Statsny has looked every bit the replacement for Sakic—and if Sakic's decision is put out of doubt next season, Statsny can prove he's ready by posting the first 80-point season of his career.  He's had two 70 point seasons so far.

Marek Svatos will have bigger fish to fry though, as while he's trying to recapture that elusive 30-goal season, he'll also have to work to recuperate from a torn ACL, suffered late last season.
 
But aside from the three emerging stars on the Avs, the established veterans will have to show up as well. Ryan Smyth and Darcy Tucker are both going to have to overcome subpar seasons, while Ian Laparrier will just have to keep adding grit with a little bit of scoring to help out the younger forwards.

 

The race to replace Roy continues
 
Peter Budaj or Andrew Raycroft. Is that really a question you want to ask yourself?
 
With the departure of Jose Theodore from the Avalanche (28 wins, 2.44 GAA, .910 save percentage), the Avalanche will return to Peter Budaj in hopes of finding that elusive franchise starter that they've missed since St. Patrick retired.
 
For Budaj, the ball is in his court—he's young (25), he's already posted a 30-win season (31 in 2006-07), and he finished the regular season on a strong note last season, allowing six goals in five games.  Of course, we're overlooking the Detroit series where Budaj filled in for a malady-stricken Theodore fairly well—aside from allowing five goals in Game Four.

Budaj is going to have to come out of the gate strong, as Colorado has shown that they’re willing to go with the hot hand in net—whomever it may be.
 
If Budaj can't shoulder the load, then it will be up to former Calder-winner Andrew Raycroft (who looked miserable as last season wore on in Toronto) and Jason Bacashihua, the highly-touted junior goalie who has yet to pan out in the NHL.

Raycroft has obviously seen success at the NHL level—his Calder trophy proves that—but since his rookie season, it seems that Rayzor has been on a downhill slide. Yes, he was able to secure a record 37 wins in his first season as a Maple Leaf—but he’s also been prone to giving up too many shaky goals, and he’s seemingly lost the ability to steal a game for his team.

Bacashihua still has yet to find a home at the NHL level. He has all the tools, but after being blocked by Marty Turco in Dallas, and an failing to strike in St. Louis, his chances at becoming a star in the NHL are fading fast.
 
Obviously, the Avalanche need Budaj to return to form to compete—and after a year of ups and downs, he's poised to make another big splash.

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