On the Colorado Avalanche …
Terry Frei of the Denver Post: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic didn’t break up their six “core” players as he didn’t get any offers that were enough for Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog at the deadline. He decided to wait instead of taking the best offer that was on the table.
“I’ve always said they’re good hockey players, but does it mean I’m not going to try to help our team long-term?” Sakic asked. “No. I’ll do anything that’s going to make sense for us, that we feel is going to help us for the future.”
The trade values for Duchene or Landeskog won’t increase in the offseason. It seems likely that Sakic remains as the GM. Duchene has been affected by all the rumors and losing, and is it better for Duchene and for the organization if he’s dealt in the offseason?
The Avs will have some contracts coming off the books in John Mitchell, Fedor Tyutin and Rene Bourque.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 radio Monday morning talking about the Colorado Avlanche and their struggles this season. The situation in Colorado after Patrick Roy left and Jared Bednar took over is worse than many realized. They haven’t drafted and developed well. Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Yost have a chance though. The Ryan O’Reilly trade wasn’t worked out like they had hoped.
“I think the one thing Colorado has done really well this year – I know people have ripped them for not trading Duchene and Landeskog yet, but the fact is no deal is better than a bad deal. They’ve got two chances here to make trades here that can send them back into a better spot. They’re determined not to blow it and they’ve been patient. I think that’s the right move.
“I know some of the players on that team. They’re not bad guys, but they’ve gotten into a bad situation and for whatever reason they just can’t get out of it. I think you’ve got to play hard and play better just for yourself, even if not the team, to say for yourself that you’ve done it.
“But they’re just in a spiral right now and it looks like they’re going to need to off-season to get out of it.”