Colorado Avalanche Past, Present, and Future: From 2 Stanley Cups To 2nd Pick
The Colorado Avalanche are a much storied franchise. Beginning as the Quebec Nordiques who was the first franchise to record three 1st overall picks in consecutive years, then moving to the Mile High City and capturing two Stanley Cup trophies.
Once we saw the Avalanche lose one of their most iconic sports figures in net to retirement, a Mr. Patrick Roy, the Avalanche never seemed to be the same.
The next year, the avalanche had a league record of nine elite players including: Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Alex Tanguay, and Derek Morris.
That same year the Avalanche were handed second place in the division for the first time since they moved to Colorado from Quebec. The Avs, has still never been able to claim another division championship after breaking the Montreal Canadiens old record of consecutive division titles with 9.
Now in this story we will take a look at a few of the Stanley Cup winning players and who might be in line or up and coming to take their place in Colorado Avalanche lore.
Let us begin with good old number 19.
"Super" Stastny?
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There is no need to to go over the numbers of #19, but why not lets do it:
Played in 1,378 regular season games recording 625 goals with 1016 assists, for a total of 1,641 points and in 172 playoff games he recorded 84 goals with 104 assists for 188 points. These numbers are eye-popping, and so was his play. However, Sakic had a demeanor like no other, cool, calm, collected, and never over the top. Two Stanley Cups, the 1996 Conn Smythe winner and the 2001 Hart Trophy winner.
Sakic was very much under the radar type of player, or he tried to be, but his numbers at times would not let him. Avalanche fans, though deeply upset, were very excited with what was to come in a certain 2nd round steal of a pick.
Paul Stastny follows the exact same mold as the former captain, his play is smooth, quiet, and lethal. Being mentored by arguably the greatest Avalanche to wear the sweater, Stastny learned the characteristics of a playmaker and game-changer. Injuries have slowed down the alternate captain as of late, but the Avalanche faithful know and understand that he is the future and the current leader.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Avs hold the 2nd overall pick and Nugent-Hopkins is someone they have their eye on. A player with a tremendous hockey IQ and vision, the pick will all depend on who the Oilers select. A complete hockey player, could possibly make an immediate impact with the Avalanche or any other club.
From Foppa to Duchene
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Another storied and iconic Avalanche skater is the famous Swede, Peter Forsberg. Now I make the Forsberg- Matt Duchene connection due to one thing: Game-changer.
Peter Forsberg was a pure playmaker, his quick hands, amazing vision, and hockey IQ were comparable to none. Those three qualities are what exude from the 20 year old. In his two seasons with the Avs, Duchene has been a leader by showcasing his skills on the ice with 122 points in 161 games.
Duchene did have a short lived stint being able to see first hand what good old number 21 could do on the ice. However, after only one game, Foppa decided to call it quits after a long and illustrious career. Duchene will be a force to reckon with for years to come, but in the eyes of many he has already won the hearts that had fallen in love with the rugged Swede.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Stoa, is a talented young center, but overtime he seems to crack the starting lineup, he can never seem to get a consistent rhythm over a period of games. Now the key is that he is still young and has time to make it, but in terms of the "super star" persona, I am afraid it is not their.
R.O.Y., Calvin Pickard?
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Patrick Roy, hands down, no questions asked the greatest goalie ever to suit up for the Colorado Avalanche (and Montreal Canadiens). A 4 time Stanley Cup Champion, a 3 time Conn Smythe winner and 3 time Vezina Trophy winner, a countless record holder, and a 2006 Hall of Fame inductee.
Now many say that when Saint Patrick retired from the Avalanche, the team has still been unable to bounce back, which is true. The Avs are no where near as dominant and have not been since Roy.
But wait. Is that domination-less drought coming to a close? The Avalanche before this past years deadline traded away fan favorite Craig Anderson for a younger and comparable goalie in 26 year old Brian Elliot. Now is he is the answer? Most likely not.
An up and coming goalie, who, in some eyes may be the next Avalanche starter and R.O.Y. (rookie of the year) is Calvin Pickard.
Many are high and mighty on this kid as he is developing well on a struggling team in the WHL. He is still a few years out from getting into the burgundy sweater, but the future is bright for this one as he will soon be making his way into the Lake Erie Monsters lineup, this year or the next.
So for now, what the Avalanche need is some defense...
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Ray, Rob, and Erik
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The next comparison I will make seems a bit uncanny in terms of how similar these next these to defensive man are: Ray Bourque and Rob Blake to that of Erik Johnson.
Ray Bourque played 21 seasons for the Boston Bruins, but requested a trade for a chance to win a Stanley Cup. Enter Colorado. Bourque became the heartbeat, and the will of the team during their march through the 2001 playoffs. The city chanted his name, he became as big a figure as the names of Sakic, Forsberg, and Roy.
His gritty, determined, never say die attitude was that of legends. He played with a chip on his shoulder as if his destiny was not to win a championship, however he did not care much for that idea. Though he will mostly be remembered as a Bruin, he will always be remembered as the guts of the championship run of the 2001 championship.
Rob Blake is also a fan favorite among Avalanche fans, he and Bourque shared the same grit and pure hustle for the sport of hockey. Blake also knows what it feels like to be traded away and turned on by fans (See Los Angeles Kings). Blake, also a member of the Stanley Cup winning Avalanche, has the same driving force in a certain new Avalanche.
Erik Johnson is a mixture of Rob Blake and Ray Bourque reincarnated. After being traded away by the Blues this past season, Johnson himself has been playing with a chip on his shoulder. He was quoted after the trade saying "I want to make them regret trading Erik Johnson." He is a determined young kid with a bright future and he instantly became a driving force for a struggling team after the trade deadline.
Honorable Mention: John Michael-Liles, Adam Larsson, and Stefan Elliot. Liles a player who always seems to be talked about in trades is a Blake-like player, constantly jumping in the play and becoming an offensive threat.
Elliot acquired in the 2nd round of the draft last year is a very intriguing player to watch. An offensive juggernaut, he is disciplined to know when to jump in the offensive play and when to stay at the blue line. A year or two away from the NHL, he appears to be promising.
Larsson seems to be rising in every NHL experts minds as he is an explosive offensive defenseman. A sure fired starter next year (especially if he plays for the Avs: King of Call ups) Larsson brings an immediate offensive presence from the blue line.
Big Foote
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Adam Foote. Enough said. 19 seasons, 17 with the Avalanche, drafted by the franchise when they were the Nordiques, he personifies the franchise. I had a tough time trying to find up and comers and/or current players that follow the Foote mold.
What I came up with was a few players: Cameron Gaunce, Ryan Wilson, and Nathan Beaulieu.
Cameron Gaunce a 21 year old Canadian has the most potential to become Foote-esque. During his call up with the Avalanche he struggled at times keeping up with the speed of the NHL level and at times struggled with his puck handling. All these things can be fixed with experience and time. Will he be the next Foote? Only time will tell, but the future is promising for this kid.
Ryan Wilson is a similar type of player, though 5 years older, Wilson does not have much time to become that player. No problems with speed, but he seem to get caught out of position and seems to miss occasional assignments (not characteristics of Adam Foote). He has been reliable for the season, but his play will need to pick up with the barrage of young defenseman coming up in the system.
Nathan Beaulieu is an intriguing draft prospect for the Avalanche as they hold the 2nd and 11th pick in the draft. Beaulieu is in the running at the 11th pick, but it is unclear if the Avs will get another defenseman granted their first is Larsson.
The Last of the Hejduk
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Milan Hejduk just turned 35 years old two months ago. The last of the core of that Stanley Cup Victory over New Jersey, Hejduk, like it or not will be following the trail of Adam Foote and will be hanging up the skates soon.
Over these last few years his leadership has been unmeasurable, a club whose average age is within the top three of the league says something. He helped guide the club to the playoffs last year and helped them to some key victories in the first half of this most recent season.
Hejduk is a few years past his 50 goal season where he won the Rocket Richard Trophy, but his leadership have helped groom some key players on the club.
Ryan O'Reilly, 20 years young, has emerged as an above average third liner and being able to get shuffled around on the same line of Hejduk has only been helpful. He came up with Duchene, but it is apparent he is not as explosive like that of Duchene.
David Jones is another player who has emerged as a top scorer and clutch player for the Avalanche. He and Hejduk have combined for a quite a few points and even though Milan's career may be declining, Jones' is steadily increasing.
Joey Hishon a first round selection in the 2010 draft is a polished offensive sniper who has already signed a contract with the team. This means that he will, barring any major issue or injury, will be playing on the squad next season. He is an intriguing offensive threat who the Avalanche brass are high has some concern on the defensive end, but hey that's why their are assigned defensive players, right?
A draft prospect is Brandon Saad, an explosive offensive threat, is in the mold of a point per game player when he reaches the peak of his career. A very important decision if it comes time to pick for the Avalanche and he is on the board. A solid choice for a team who could use a winger.
The Future Is Bright
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The Avalanche were red hot early in the season, scoring goals every time they shot. However, that Mile High Magic was soon sucked up in one of the zamboni's and lead to the 2nd overall pick for the Avalanche.
The Avalanche are known for having a fantastic development system, though we are still a few years back from battling for another Stanley Cup. The core players and pieces are falling into place and the similarities between the players past and present is a bit eerie, Lake Eerie, that is.
What once was the names of Sakic, Forsberg Roy, and Foote, is now Stastny, Duchene, Elliot, and Johnson. Are we their yet? No. Will we?. Not a doubt in my mind in two years time we will be making noise, deep into the playoffs.
And one final goodbye to Adam Foote. Thank you for the memories, the wins, and the hits.
Be sure to follow me on twitter: @vincesapienza
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