At the end of November, the Avalanche were in 13 games where they played every other day for 25 days. It is both a relief and a burden. The first two months of the season were unstable. Getting used to the real NHL schedule routine for the first time is a must.
But this routine is exhausting, and Avs (18-11-2) have experienced its consequences. During that time, they lost five of their first six games by -14 goal difference and multiple injuries.
They then straightened out, winning five of the next six games. What’s more, Colorado is getting healthier.
In the run-up to the holiday, I interviewed several Avalanche players to find out what they remember most from their childhood. It is not surprising that the majority noted hockey equipment. Then Mikko Rantanen.
1. Martin Kaut got another chance, but it’s the result of the team’s patience when challenged. When the Avalanche needed a roster reshuffle on Dec. 8, they could move the young player to the AHL without being denied. Instead, the trial was abandoned – at the risk of losing it without bringing anyone back. It sends a very clear message.
“We saw some really good performances from him in a small percentage of games,” said Jared Bednar at the time. “…The difference with some of the guys who play here and here is that… once they find this game, it’s a very small deviation from it. They will play every night. Bring it. (Test) stability problem. Calm game. Calm game. Good game”.
The court accepted the refusal, and two weeks later he returned to Denver. Bednar said it was due to a fight between Charles Hudon and Jean-Luc Foudy. “The constant change of players is not ideal,” he said. “But we also can’t watch guys play very well in one game and then fall down and just accept it.”
2. Last week, Sportico reported that the NHL is considering revising the schedule, which will see “geographic rivals” play each other more often, rather than the current pattern of each team playing in each city each season. I’m not here to share the same nonchalance that no one wants to see. I just wanted to point out that this is a stupid suggestion for Avalanche.
Only three other NHL teams are within 800 miles. Coyotes are closest. Phoenix Airport is 602 miles from Denver Airport. Las Vegas is 628 years old. St. Louis is 772 years old. There are no geographic competitors here.
3. Rantanen describes an interesting 3 on 3 strategy after Aws’ fourth overtime game in two weeks, keep in mind: “Obviously the first draw is very important. the first 30 seconds just hold the puck and don’t let it change. Because chasing people for 30 seconds will tire you out. Then you can make a substitution in the O zone and then you’ll have new guys against people who have been on the ice for 40 seconds. It’s 3v3. I know it looks boring at times, but you’re trying to win the game.”
Evan Rodriguez: “When I was a kid, I installed Roller Coaster Tycoon on my computer. This was when I was very young. I played it… it’s something I always remember from my childhood.”
Alex Newhook: “It’s going to be an evasive answer because I’m a hockey player, but I remember I had a stick that was especially suited to me. maybe my first composite rod.”
Logan O’Connor: Hockey net. And a hockey stick. For me, it’s number one on the list.”
Mikko Rantanen: “Boxer. Every Christmas as a child, I bought new boxer shorts. And socks… my grandmother’s thick socks.
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