Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.
Is there anyone in the NHL better than Nathan MacKinnon? Feel like he is the best around and should win the Hart this year if all goes well for him.
— Jeff, Aurora
Indeed, if MacKinnon stays healthy and the Avs make the playoffs, he should become a finalist with a good chance to win the thing. Same can be said for Connor McDavid in Edmonton. I see those guys as the top two candidates right now. Please read our upcoming Sunday story about MacKinnon — it should be a good one!
Saw a story the other day about Avalanche prospect Justus Annunen. Wanted to see if you could tell me more about him? Any other young players we need to keep an eye out for? Thanks.
— Tony, Denver
He’s a 6-foot-4 Finnish goalie who blanked the Americans 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championship. Annunen was the third goalie selected in the 2018 NHL draft and right now he’s playing in a Finnish pro league. Good chance the Avs offer him his entry-level contract in the spring/summer. Some other top unsigned prospects include fellow Finn Sampo Ranta, who plays at Minnesota, and Boston College teammates Alex Newhook and Drew Helleson.
Hi Mike, are there any updates on the Altitude Sports dispute? Would really enjoy watching my local teams again this year.
— Jackie, Denver
Yes Jackie, my colleague Mike Singer published an update today (Wednesday). The dispute is unfortunate.
The Grand Lake Pond Hockey Classic will be back in action again this February. Wanted to see if you’ll be up there this year. Would love to see ya out on the ice playing.
— Jim , Granby
I’d love to, but it’s hockey season and I don’t have a free weekend. But I would like to check it out. I do some boating up there in the summer. Big fan of the Lariat.
Why doesn’t the NHL mandate helmet cages like the NCAA? Isn’t it time to protect our athletes?
— Jim Lorentz, Littleton
Jim: I could write a book about the subject. I’ve written multiple stories over the years. Full cages and “fish-bowl” facemasks are bad for the game. It’s what makes college hockey so chippy and dangerous. There is very little respect for the face. Half-shields, or visors, are as far as the NHL should go in face protection. The NHL and many high-level junior leagues are willing to accept lost teeth and stitches over broken necks. I’ve covered college hockey and the NHL for nearly 25 years and I’m a big fan of less facial protection. It makes the game safer.
Why are Avalanche games so expensive to attend? Feel like a normal family of four can’t afford to make a fun evening out with the costs at Pepsi Center. Lately we have been taking in the Pios and it has been a blast watching college hockey, not to mention Magness Arena is a cool place to catch a game. Would love your thoughts, keep up the great work Mike.
— Tommy, Highlands Ranch
Thanks, Tommy. Spend some time looking at various ticket options for the Avs. There’s deals out there. But you’re right, the DU Pioneers are a great program that offers a terrific product. Magness Arena is a fantastic hockey arena. It’s great we have two excellent hockey choices in our great city.
What do you make of Andre Burakovsky and his breakout performance this season? Feel like the Avs found a hidden gem with him this season.
— Rickie, Lodo
Absolutely, and the same goes for Joonas Donskoi and Valeri Nichushkin. Excellent additions from other teams that didn’t covet them. They are why the Avs have become so deep offensively, along with fellow newcomer Nazem Kadri.
Please rank the best leagues in the world after, of course, the NHL.
AHL, KHL, Swedish Elite League, ECHL, the CHL’s Western, Ontario or Quebec Major Junior leagues, NCAA, Finish and Czech leagues, others?
— Paul McDonald, New York City
Well, I’ll give you what I know for certain: After the NHL, it’s the AHL. Beyond that, I wouldn’t know if the KHL (Russia) or the Swedish or Finnish leagues are better/worse than the ECHL. Certainly, the CHL (major-junior) is comparable — albeit different — than the NCAA. If I’m a bona fide first-round NHL draft pick who is going to play in the NHL by age 20, I’ll probably choose CHL. But if I’m a middle/low-round pick who figures on playing at least three years in college, I’m going NCAA.
Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.