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.
Mike, explain to me how the Avs only got one player in the All-Star Game this year. They’re the No. 2 team in the West. I get not having Mikko Rantanen since he missed 16 games, but Cale Makar is electrifying.
— Mark, Arvada
The All-Star teams feature just nine forwards/defenseman and Nathan MacKinnon is the Avs’ lone all-star because he’s among just three guys on the team to have played in all 49 games and the league wants all seven Central Division teams represented. Yes, Makar would wow the crowd in St. Louis, but Nashville defenseman Roman Josi is representing his team and Blues defenseman/team captain Alex Pietrangelo has three more points than Makar and is the hometown guy. No other blue-liners were selected, and let’s face it, the defending Cup-champion Blues deserve to have four guys on the team, including scoring leader David Perron, fellow forward Ryan O’Reilly and goalie Jordan Binnington. Chicago (Patrick Kane), Minnesota (Eric Staal) and Dallas (Tyler Seguin) also have just one all-star.
With the Avs heading into the all-star break second in the Western Conference behind the St. Louis Blues, what does this team have to do in the second half to become a favorite heading into the playoffs?
— Jerry, Denver
Play well in the final 10-game regular-season stretch. The Calgary Flames did not do that a year ago and the eighth-seeded Avs upset them in the first round. Colorado is confident about making the playoffs. The Avs know they’re right there with the Blues and Stars, and better than the other teams in the division. If they can’t catch St. Louis for the division title, they want to secure the No. 2 spot that gives them home-ice advantage in the first round and make sure they’re playing a winning brand of hockey in the last week of April.
Will we get to see Bowen Byram or Alex Newhook on the main roster this year?
— Conor, Denver
Unlikely. Byram can’t play in the NHL this season until his campaign ends with the Vancouver Giants of major-junior’s WHL. Byram is not eligible to play in the minor leagues at any time this season. Newhook could leave Boston College at any time and turn pro, but the Eagles are 15-5 and ranked fifth nationally. Highly unlikely that a high-character kid like Newhook would abandon his college team. Perhaps he signs after BC’s season is over, but I suspect Newhook will be at least a two-year player for the Eagles.
Love the coverage Mike, do you expect the Avs to make any major moves before the NHL trade deadline?
— Rick, Vail
Thank you, Rick! We’re just a month before the trade deadline and the Avs have the NHL’s lowest payroll, thus the most cap space. But unless there are injuries to key players, I don’t see them going after a top-six forward or any defensemen. They are set at those spots. They could possibly upgrade their goaltending and add a bottom-six forward with playoff experience. But again, it all depends on injuries and how goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz are playing during the first three weeks of February.
The Avs and Stars seem like they are becoming rivals. Would you agree with that assessment? I feel like those two teams would make a great playoff series.
— Kerry, Centennial
I absolutely agree with you, and if the divisional standings remain the same, that will happen. The No. 2 Central seed (currently Colorado) will have home-ice advantage against the division’s No. 3 seed (currently Dallas). That would be fun.
Just found out Air Force will be playing host to Colorado College in an outdoor game following the NHL Stadium Series game. Can you tell me a little about Air Force hockey? I haven’t really heard much about the cadets down in the Springs.
— Christie, Aurora
Falcons coach Frank Serratore is a beauty — an entertaining hockey person to be around — and he runs a great program at AFA. Great to see the Springs rivals scheduling an outdoor game at Air Force, where the Avs will host the L.A. Kings on Feb. 15. I believe the college game is the only other game to be played during the weekend — there is no Avs-Kings alumni game.
Hi Mike, can you give us an update on the Colorado Eagles? I haven’t really heard much news on them this year.
— Dale, Loveland
The Avs’ American Hockey League affiliate is going well, in third place in the seven-team Pacific Division at 21-13-4 and 46 points. Can’t remember the last time the Avs had a Calder Cup-contending team, but the Eagles appear playoff-bound.
What were the Avalanche thinking with the new Stadium Series jersey? Have you heard any positive feedback on them? They are pretty bad, not sure I am going to pick one up now. The old ones they wore at Coors back in 2016 against the Red Wings were winners.
— Joseph, Salt Lake City, Utah
I hear ya, Joseph. I don’t much care for the A-frame-house look. Apparently there’s talking points to the design but all I think about is the old A-frame house my parents had in Dillon as a young lad. I’m not one to go buy a sweater with someone else’s name on the back, but if I were, I’d probably save some cash on that one.
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.