In The Cheap Seats

Avalanche Notebook

Willsie cut

Written by David Driscoll-Carignan on October 7th, 2008 | 9 Comments

Brian Willsie has been reassigned to Lake Erie. I’m a bit surprised; I thought Willsie’s versatility was going to win him a spot. Unless I’m wrong, Willsie will need to clear waivers. The Avs roster is now down to 25, so there’s 2 more cuts to go.

9 Comments

On 10.07.08 thedoctor said:
im both surprised and unsurprised, I guess. He had a strong preseason, and with the Avs penchant for playing vets, I thought he’d have a spot in the pressbox like you did.

But at the same time I thought it was fairly obvious at his signing that he was meant for the LEM as a vet presence with callup potential, and an insurance policy for Svatos and Jones at RW. With both of them playing well and looking healthy, I’m not shocked he was sent down.
On 10.07.08 Ben said:
The Avalanche on Tuesday signed forwards Cody McCormick and Brian Willsie to one- year, two-way contracts.

McCormick, 25, would earn $522,500 if he plays in the NHL next season; Willsie, 30, would be paid $600,000. Each would make much less if sent to the minors.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/Jul/15/avs-sign-mccormick-willsie-1-year-deals/
On 10.07.08 Ben said:
Not sure why i picked this moment as my first comment. I read your blog every day. Just a bit of house keeping i had tiume to do, i guess.

anyway keep up the good work.

Cheers from Portland Oregon…

Ben
On 10.07.08 Mike @ MHH said:
That’s OK, Ben. Nobody else on this blog knows why they comment either…
On 10.07.08 Bob in Boulder said:
I was hoping the Willsie signing was for the LEMs. Iirc, he struck me as being very soft during his initial go ’round with the Avs. Sort of like a bigger Hlinka with less skill.

My guess is that they now send down Hensick and McCormick, keeping McLeod around as an agitator and Parker around as an enforcer who gets to know the press box pretty well. If Arny wasn’t wastefully filling a spot on one of the top 3 lines, much to the delight of the Arnason fan club (Drafty and two of his imaginary friends), Hensick would be getting his opportunity in the bigs. As things are, he’d be better off getting more time in Cleveland rather than wasting away as a healthy scratch for the Avs.
On 10.07.08 Bob in Boulder said:
Just an addendum, I noticed that AD was surprised by this cut:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2008/10/07/willsie-sent-down/

Also, the above moves are not what I would want, but rather, what I expect. As I think I wrote somewhere else, I would keep McCormick over Parker AND McLeod, because he fills both of their roles. A pest who can skate and fight. McLeod can’t fight. He chooses to do so, but he’s going to get killed someday if he doesn’t get any better at it.
On 10.07.08 thedoctor said:
Well, you were right DD, Ledin and Hensick sent down as well.

I think that leaves us with:

Smyth / Stastny / Hejduk
Wolski / Sakic / Tucker
Jones / Arny / Svatos
McLeod / Guite / Lappy

McCormick, Parker
On 10.07.08 Ben said:
Sounds real “up-tempo”. Are we trying to lead the league in PM’s? These moves are shocking. Hensick scratched his eye, so i guess i understand that but,

just so we’re clear… Tucker, Lappy, Parker, Cody Mac 1 & 2.

More sand paper than Home depot?

What am i missing, oh yeah…

scoring
On 10.07.08 David Driscoll-Carignan said:
but, if everyone is healthy, only 3 of those guys should be in the lineup, and probably two of them will be on the 4th line.

I personally think the Avs will have plenty of scoring to go with their grit.

PS welcome!

speak up

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