The final two players have been sent to Lake Erie to get the Avalanche down to the 23-man limit. One I was expecting, the other, like Willsie, caught me by surprise. TJ Hensick and Per Ledin have been demoted to Lake Erie. I figured Hensick would have a tough time making the team, not because of his play this preseason, but because there just isn’t a place for him to play at the moment. Ledin reportedly looked good in camp, and his 1-way contract means he will be paid his full $600,000 salary in the AHL. I figured he would make the team over one of the Codys (then again, I thought Willsie would make the team too).
Surviving the final cut are Cody McCormick, Cody McLeod and Scott Parker. It’s certainly not the way I would have done it, but it’s probably not going to mean all that much in the long run. We’ll probably see Hensick or Ledin before too long anyway.
As of right now, the projected lineup for Thursday night is mostly set:
- Stastny, Hejduk, Smyth
- Sakic, Tucker, ?
- Arnason, Svatos, ?
- Guite, Lappy, ?
- Foote, Clark
- Liles, Hannan
- Salei, Leopold
- Budaj
There’s 3 question marks up front. I think we mostly know the who, it’s more a question of where. Wojtek Wolski and David Jones will likely be on the 2nd and 3rd lines (Jones at RW on the 2nd and Dub Dub on the 3rd at LW?), with a Cody Mac on the 4th line. Of course, this is all dependant on everyone being healthy on Thursday, and that’s never a sure thing.
EDIT: According to the team roster, Adam Foote will replace Andrew Brunette as an assistant alternate captain (along with Ian Laperriere). This isn’t exactly a big shocker. Also, I don’t know if it’s a typo or not, but on that same page, they are indicating that Parker is on the IR. That’s new - he definitely didn’t have those astericks earlier in the day.
I thought Ledin was really mediocre throughout camp and in the preseason game I watched. For a agitator I never saw him actually agitate anyone.
I don’t understand why Parker is still there. He shortens your bench and he’s even losing fights, the one thing he’s supposed to do well. I love fighting but I don’t understand what Parker offers right now.
Agree or disagree with these moves, here is what I like about what Granato has done. He’s certainly not building a team by picking the best all around player like it’s a schoolyard pickup game. I think it would be very tempting as a coach to do just that. He’s building identifiable roles with this players and lines here I think. He knows he has scoring talent and up tempo capability on his first two lines. He’s got grit and defense on his Guite line (probably with a McCody here). On his Arnason line he has to know that Hensick would turn that line in to the biggest pushover line on the team. I think it’s obvious that he’s going to put a little size and physical presence there to help those two guys get some room. Seems to me that Granato has a gameplan to use his lines in defined roles. I think that’s smart. I do think the 3rd line is a little lost as a tweener line. If that’s a skill/scoring line then they are going to need a playmaker there. Jones can control the puck and drive the net but I’m not sure he’s the guy to set other guys up unless it’s for rebounds.
I guess i’m most concered by the current avalanche formula of line combination that equals:
Scoring winger + play making center + grinder
Seems like the ghost of coach Q to me.
I’d me much happier with the saber’s idea (during Drury and Danny B days) of three skilled lines and a grind line.
please excuse the Red wings refrence.
I puked in my mouth when i typed it.
The roster is missing something. I can’t put my finger on it, but I’ve got a fever for it.
Ah yes, cowbell.
Some people seem really upset by Hensiiick being sent down while the Cody’s and Parker remain. But look at it this way - On any given night two of those guys will be sitting in the press box. Would you rather have Hensiiick sitting in the press box (unless G decides to bench Arnason) or Parker? Honestly, I think Hensiiick is better off in Lake Erie were he’ll play every night.
[...] out, my little scoop yesterday about Scott Parker was correct. The Sheriff will start the season on the IR with [...]