It’s Hump Day in cubicle land. I’m in New Hampshire - Red Sox Nation - and everyone in the office is decked out in their favorite Sox gear and thinking about today’s playoff game. But not me. I’m wearing my favorite Avalanche jersey (the old Center Ice-style black practice jersey), and I’m focused on the important stuff - opening night for my favorite hockey team.
The NHL offseason is comparatively short, but it feels like it’s been forever since the team finished playing in early April. While the Avs did make a big splash in free agency, their two big signings happened just hours apart. Other than that, it’s been mostly been a bunch of speculation, filler, training camp news, filler and filler. The new season is finally here and there should be no shortage of topics to cover over the next seven months or so. I’ll be able to get back to doing what I enjoy most - game recaps.
The Avalanche play the Dallas Stars tonight. Like most people, I’m anxious to see how well Ryan Smyth fits in with his new team. Tonight will also be my first look at Jaroslav Hlinka. Not many people (myself included) thought much of the Hlinka signing when it happened, but he’s made the team and is expected to play on the 2nd line with Stastny tonight (although I have a sneaking feeling it’ll be Wolski there). I’m also interested to see what Wyatt Smith is like on the ice, and whether Scott Parker will pick up some of the fighting load from Ian Laperriere.
Just about everyone on defense has some intriguing storylines to follow. But, the guy I’m most curious about back there is Karlis Skrastins. Skrastins was terrific two years ago, and awful last year. This season, he no longer has a longevity record forcing him into the lineup. And now that the team actually has some depth at the position, he wont be handed his ice time on a platter. If he gets his head back in the game and turn things around, this could be a solid defensive team.
The 2007 Stars look a lot like the 2006 Stars. Todd Fedoruk is the notable free agent aquisition (notable is probably way too strong of a word here), although there are a few youngsters on the roster as well. These teams played twice in the preseason. Both games were a bit rough, with a total of 12 major penalties and 2 misconducts in the two tilts. Might that spill over into tonight’s game?
According to the Rocky Mountain News (seriously, guys, it’s 2007 - is it too much to ask to get an rss feed?), the lines tonight are the same lines used in the last preseason games. That means Hejduk on the first line, Wolski on the 3rd line, and Svatos on the 4th. If correct, Wyatt Smith plays ahead of Ben Guite; I’m disappointed to see Guite scratched. I’m not fond of the defensive pairings at all, but will have an open mind when I watch tonight.
I’m glad to finally be able to say “Game on.”
Go Avs.
The Rockies playoff game has pushed the Avalanche in to the footnote section of every sports section in the papers and news broadcast. I feel like the only one in Denver thinking about the Avs.
I’m not sure what to think about those defensive pairings, I want Hannan and Leo together to cover top pairings but it seems the coaches are taking a parity approach to defense. I do like the philosophy of stay at home defensemen paired with more offensive minded partners, it could still work well.
I’m looking forward to seeing our PK and if it’s as bad as it seemed during preseason. I also want to see if that PP is as dominate as it seemed. Basically, I’m looking forward to watching a game to catch the nuances of play that just never show up in a box score or recap in the news.
As a footnote, I just don’t get Parker. He’s intimidating to me and I’m sure most normally adjusted people looking at the guy. However, in the current NHL he can’t make you fight. He can’t skate well enough to line up crushing hits, he’s not remarkable on defense and his offensive upside is hindered by his inability to get back on D quick enough so he never goes too far into the offensive zone anyway. Deep down I like Parker because of his AHL exploits and his old school attitude. I just don’t know how he helps you win hockey games.
Agreed on Parker. If I’m not mistaken, the fighting major in the 5th preseason game (against Dallas) was his first fight since the trade. For a guy who really has just one skill, he doesn’t seem to be using it an awful lot.
you’ve gotta have parker to counter the giant enforcers of the league. if he’s not at least available, someone who shouldn’t be fighting to fedoruks of the league (lappy) will end up fighting him, or no one will fight him at all. and we know what that’s like from the ‘97 avs, who got totally pushed around without Simon around.
I’m willing to entertain that argument Doc. I just don’t see a lot of elite teams in the NHL that have a big enforcer for Parker to go against. Why does Lappy have to do that anyway? Probably because the other heavy weight was able to take liberties on our guys. Parker doesn’t take liberties on other players because he doesn’t have the skill set to do so without taking a penalty (5 minute interference anyone?).
I think guys like Lappy, McCarty etc… play more important roles when your heavy weight can only play five minutes a game.
i agree, parker is not an “offensive” agitator option — he’s a defense against those types. in addition, his skills aren’t the worst i’ve ever seen for an enforcer — he’s actually gotten better as his career has gone on, imo. he’s not a total loss when in the lineup.
i think he’s worth it even if it’s mostly as a psychological security blanket for the team. they know that someone has their back in ALL situations, be it lappy or parker.
Good game, IMO. I though the D pairing worked well together and Leopold was arguably the best blueliner out there last night. Hannan started slow, but was more of a factor as the game went on.
The story will be Son of Statsny, of course. All three goals were beautiful, particularly the setup on the 3rd. The H-link may be everything Hejduk advertised him to be. I’m concerned with how Svatos is supposed to have a bounce-back year playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. Unfortunately, with the current lineup, I doubt he’ll ever crack the top two. It then falls to Joey Q. to truly roll three lines for offense, which I didn’t really see last night, even when they were up 3 goals. I’ll have to try and pay closer attention tonight to see if the 3rd line gets enough ice to be effective.
Ohh, and SOMEBODY needs to win a D-zone faceoff!!!