Central Division Preview
By Kyle Roberts
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy (right) talks with executive of hockey operations Joe Sakic (left) during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Avalanche:
2012-2013 Record: 16-25-7 – 39 points
Coach: Patrick Roy
Standings: 5th in North West Division, 15th in Western Conference
Forwards:
Ryan O’Reilly – Matt Duchene – P.A. Parenteau
Gabriel Landeskog – Paul Stastny – Alex Tanguay
Jamie McGinn – Nathan MacKinnon – Steve Downie
Cody McLeod – John Mitchell – Mark Olver
Defense:
Jan Hejda – Erik Johnson
Tyson Barrie – Ryan Wilson
Matt Hunwich – Cory Sarich
Goaltending:
Semyon Varlamov
Jean-Sebastien Giguere
The Colorado Avalanche can’t catch a break, eh? They finish 29th in the league, but luckily get the 1st overall pick, but that isn’t why they can’t catch a break. They are now in the process of a new mold of their team. New coach Patrick Roy has arrived and usually former players do not turn out to be great coaches as of lately. Will they improved on goaltending? It’s possible as Roy was one of the greatest ever to play and I am sure he’ll be helping out during practice. The Avs have a tough hill to climb with the new NHL alignment and being placed into a deep Central Division. Chicago, Dallas, Winnipeg and St Louis are all potential playoff teams, which leaves little wiggle room for Colorado to land a wild card spot.