Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers posts the Avs Mailbag every other Tuesday during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.
Mike nice job covering the Avs. Your colleague Terry Frei wrote over the weekend that the Avalanche have a goaltending mess. Is it really that bad? Does Semyon Varlamov really need to be the man or is it time for backup Calvin Pickard to shine?
— Jeff, Aurora
Thanks for the question, Jeff. I agree with Frei’s stance, and as he points out it goes much deeper than which goalie is playing the best. Varlamov’s stellar play in 2013-14, his huge contract and the upcoming NHL expansion draft makes Colorado’s goaltending situation, well, a mess.
After all, the Avs are giving Varlamov every opportunity to be the former Vezina finalist and $6 million goalie he is, but Pickard has outplayed him thus far — and the team likely will protect Pickard in the expansion draft and see if Las Vegas picks up Varlamov’s contract. Right now, Varlamov’s contract and inconsistent play makes him unattractive in trade talks or the expansion draft — but that’s further reason to play the guy in the hopes he returns to greatness.
The Avs don’t want a $6 million goalie on the bench. They want Varlamov to help them win games or have him gone for cap relief.
I still don’t understand why everyone protects Tyson Barrie. He was minus three against Chicago, the stretch pass you seem so enamored with only comes when there is no forechecker within 50 feet of him, that’s rare at best. Every goal he was on the ice for you could make a case that he was not where he needed to be from a defensive stand point. Don’t talk about his offensive upside because that’s not helping this team win.
Cody McLeod sits while Blake Comeau gets all the ice time he wants while putting us on the penalty kill. Oh, and he has hands of stone. Speaking of hands, what’s happened to Gabe Landeskog’s hands? He has made more turnovers this season than all of last season. I like Landeskog, I hope he gets his game together quick, we need him.
— William K. Root, Montrose
Where should we start, William? How about Landeskog? There’s people out there who would argue with me, but a No. 2 overall lottery pick who was projected as a power forward should often reach 30 goals per season and Landeskog hasn’t come close since 2013-14 when he had 26. The captain is a good NHL player and a great person, but he would be the first to tell you that 30 goals should be his bar.
As for Tyson Barrie, the high risk, high reward defenseman is worth it when you’re winning and one of the big eye sores when you’re losing. Lastly, Comeau can play any position, any role on the team. He’s a valuable asset. McLeod is the warrior of all warriors, but the Avs have chosen to put more skill on the fourth line when everybody’s healthy.
I can’t believe you think the Avalanche is going to make the playoffs. Minnesota is out? I know it’s early but what exactly leads you to believe that? Better defense? Landeskog finally lives up to his draft position? Or is it the stellar play of that perennial Norris trophy candidate Erik Johnson? Do tell!
— Frank Montoya, Dearborn, Michigan
As I wrote in the last mailbag, Colorado’s coaching change would turn this talented core around and someone from the tough Western Conference had to go, and I chose Minnesota because it seems the Wild — a solid team indeed — isn’t capable of winning on talent alone. The Wild is a good defensive team that must get scoring throughout the lineup to have success. They don’t have any offensive superstars, no? Although Zach Parise is definitely a guy I would like to build a team around.
Would former Wild head coach Mike Yeo have been a safer hire than Jared Bednar? A better hire?
— Jack, Hooper
Good question, Jack, but I’m pretty sure Mike Yeo wasn’t in the formal running because he didn’t have interest. He’s entrenched in St. Louis as an assistant and is the head-coach-in-waiting for a very successful franchise. I don’t think he wanted to uproot his family to return to being a head coach just a year earlier than he’s slated.
Hi Mike, seems as though the Avs offense has been struggling a little as of late. It seems like they are putting to much pressure on the defense, is this the reason for the struggles on that end of the ice?
— Tom, Littleton
This team is outshooting its opponents most games. That’s a huge difference from what unfolded with the previous coaching staff. But the blue line still isn’t good enough and there’s too many forwards — Nathan MacKinnon, Carl Soderberg, Mikhail Grigorenko, Landeskog, Jarome Iginla, Colborne — who aren’t scoring much. Since beginning 3-1, this team has had problems at both ends of the ice.
After spending a little time around Jared Bednar this year I am curious what you have taken away from his style of play and what we can expect from the Avalanche the remainder of this season. Thanks.
— Blake, Denver
I like the new coach and believe he was a good hire. And it’s not just me. I haven’t heard anything negative about him and I think he will succeed. But like he often says, “it’s a work in progress.”
Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers posts the Avs Mailbag every other Tuesday during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.
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