Colorado (Col)

Latest News:

05.05.12

Steve Downie recently underwent shoulder surgery to repair a separated joint, reports the Denver Post.

Impact:
After suffering a shoulder injury March 3 against Pittsburgh, it was widely believed that the ailment continued to bother Downie over the last month of the season, even though he only missed one game. The exact timetable of his rehab remains unclear, but it's expected he will be ready to return by the start of training camp. Downie was certainly a factor for the Avs after he was obtained from Tampa Bay via trade in February, scoring 28 points in 55 games A healthy Downie should be even more productive next season - don't forget about him on draft day.

04.11.12

The Avalanche have signed Paul Carey to a two-year deal the, Denver Post reports.

Impact:
Carey, who was the Avs' fifth-round pick out of Boston College, was named to the Frozen Four all-tournament team after recording three goals in two games.

04.08.12

Jean-Sebastien Giguere was pulled from Saturday's season finale against Nashville after allowing six goals on 29 shots.

Impact:
This is certainly not the way Giggy wanted to close out the schedule after being in net for 15 of the Avs' 41 wins this season. Semyon Varlamov will open next season as the Avs' No. 1 netminder, but Giguere will be waiting in the wings in case he falters.

04.08.12

Matt Duchene scored the Avs' only goal during Saturday's 6-1 blowout loss to the Predators.

Impact:
Duchene had just 28 points (14G, 14A) in what was an injury-plagued season for the third-year center. We would expect a strong rebound from him next season, provided he can stay healthy. If anything, this season may provide a buy-low opportunity in next year's draft. Don't let Duchene slide too far down your picklist come October.

04.07.12

Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start the Avs' season finale Saturday against the Predators, the Denver Post reports.

Impact:
The Avs just missed out on the playoffs this year, but you can't blame that on Giggy, who held the fort for several weeks earlier this season when Semyon Varlamov proved he wasn't quite ready to assume the role of everyday starter. Giguere has a very respectable 15-10-3 record heading into Saturday's action, along with his best peripheral stats in years (.923 save percentage, 2.15 GAA). Look for him to be back for the Avs in a backup capacity next season.

04.06.12

Semyon Varlamov allowed four goals on 27 shots Thursday in a loss to the Blue Jackets.

Impact:
That wasn't quite the result that Varly and the Avalanche were looking for, as Colorado's slim playoff hopes evaporated while Columbus's Cam Atkinson scored his first career hat trick. This was a most inconsistent season for Varlamov, but he's not quite 24 years old and has nowhere to go but up, assuming he stays healthy.

04.05.12

Jamie McGinn, who missed the previous game with a back injury, will return to the lineup Thursday against Columbus, according to The Denver Post.

Impact:
With 12 points in 15 games, McGinn has been a valuable addition for the Avs since coming over from San Jose at the trade deadline. He is expected to return to his usual spot on a line with Paul Stastny and David Jones.

04.04.12

Semyon Varlamov will make his eighth consecutive start Thursday against the Blue Jackets, Denver Post writer Mike Chambers reports.

Impact:
It's a must-win game for the Avs, against the NHL's worst team, so this looks like a good spot for Varlamov.

04.03.12

Matt Duchene is still bothered by knee and ankle injuries suffered earlier this season, the Denver Post reports.

Impact:
Duchene suffered a knee injury Dec. 29 that forced him to miss seven weeks, followed by a nine-game absence in March due to a sprained ankle. "Both (injuries) are still bugging me. I'd say by next training camp is when I should be 100 percent again," Duchene said. "But I'm still able to go out there and compete as best I can." These lingering injury issues would certainly explain the dropoff in Duchene's points-per-game average, from .84 last season to .48 currently. We would expect a healthy Duchene to enjoy a strong rebound next season - be ready to buy him on the cheap in next year's draft.

03.31.12

Duncan Siemens will play for the AHL Lake Erie Monsters for the remainder of the season, according to the Denver Post.

Impact:
Siemens, whose Saskatoon Blades (WHL) were eliminated from postseason play this week, will make the jump to the AHL for the balance of the season. Siemens projects as a top-four, puck-rushing defenseman and will look very good in an Avs jersey someday. However, he will likely need another season or two in the minors before that happens.

03.31.12

Erik Johnson had a pair of assists in a 4-1 Colorado victory over Calgary on Friday night. He finished the evening with a plus-3 rating.

Impact:
He had been pointless in 14 straight games heading into Friday night's contest so these points come at an important time for a Colorado team desperately trying to clinch a playoff spot.

03.31.12

Semyon Varlamov stopped 38 of 39 shots as Colorado defeated Calgary 4-1 Friday night to keep alive the team's slim playoff chances.

Impact:
It was his first win in five games, but he's been great his past two starts, allowing only two goals on 61 shots. Look for him to get the rest of Colorado's starts with the team still in playoff contention.

03.30.12

Semyon Varlamov will be in net Friday for the Avalanche against the Flames, according to The Denver Post.

Impact:
This will be the seventh straight start for Varlamov and his 13th in 14 games for the Av's. Varlamov has lost four straight games though the Avalanche have supported him with only five goals in that time.

03.30.12

Milan Hejduk said Friday that he is considering retirement, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reports.

Impact:
Hejduk is a three-time NHL all-star, but he hasn't scored a goal in his past 22 games, and he only has two goals since the calender changed to 2012. He was demoted to the fourth line for Wednesday game. "It is what it is," he responded. "I try to help the team any way I can and leave it all out there, and not worry about anything else." Hejduk's contract expires after this season, and it looks like this might be the end for the 36-year-old.

03.29.12

Semyon Varlamov allowed only one goal on 22 shots Wednesday night, but the Avalanche still fell to the Canucks 1-0.

Impact:
The Avalanche are slowly fading from the playoff race in the Western conference and it doesn't help that Varlamov hasn't won a game in four straight starts.

03.28.12

Tyson Barrie could be back in the lineup Wednesday against Vancouver after sitting out the previous game as a healthy scratch, according to The Denver Post.

Impact:
A two-game losing streak is usually a good reason for a lineup shuffle, so Barrie could see some game action against the Canucks. He has zero points in seven games so far this season - not a great start to his career, but don't worry, he'll get there.

03.28.12

Peter Mueller, a healthy scratch the past two games, will return to the lineup Wednesday against Vancouver, according to The Denver Post.

Impact:
Avs coach Joe Sacco wants to see more out of Mueller, and one goal in his past 13 games just doesn't cut it - hence his recent benching. Mueller will likely return to his usual spot on the team's second line alongside Paul Stastny and David Jones, and will need to help produce some offense if the Avs want to lock up a postseason berth.

03.28.12

The Avalanche will turn to Semyon Varlamov on Wednesday against the Canucks, according to Marc Moser of Avalanche Radio.

Impact:
Varlamov has allowed at least three goals in his last three outings, all loses. Those three loses come on the heels of a five-game winning streak and Semyon is still 7-4-1 for the month of March.

03.27.12

Paul Stastny was a minus-4 during Monday's 5-1 loss to San Jose, his worst single-game plus-minus rating of the season.

Impact:
"It was one of those nights where the puck wasn't going in for you and you're out there for all the goals," Stastny said after the game. "There's no excuse. It's a tough one to take." Stastny is having a relatively productive March, with four goals and six helpers in 14 games so far this month, but Monday's game was huge in terms of the Avs' playoff chances and he just didn't show up. He needs to be better.

03.27.12

Milan Hejduk has just two assists in 14 games so far in the month of March.

Impact:
Furthermore, he hasn't scored a goal since Feb. 10 - a span of 23 games. We hate to say it, but the end is probably in sight for the 36-year-old Hejduk at this point. He's currently playing out a one-year contract with the Avs and it's hard to see him coming back next season. With a strong nucleus of up-and-coming young talent led by Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog, the team will probably choose not to re-sign him. Look for Hejduk to either retire or move on to another team in need of a veteran presence.

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