Digging Out

Until the All-Star Break last year, the Colorado Avalanche were in contention for a playoff spot.  Then, injuries and some red reels goaltending did them in.  This year, the Avs hope to get back some of what was lost.  All roads begin and end with Matt Duchene, who was an All-Star last year, and figures to be the central figure in the team's hopes for a playoff spot.  All eyes this year will be on Semyon Varlamov, who was acquired for a first and second round pick from the Washington Capitals in the offseason.  He's good, but is also injury prone, one reason why he was the odd man out in the Caps' goaltender system.  Gabriel Landeskog figures to make the direct jump from the 2011 NHL Draft stage to the Avs' opening night roster.  The most NHL ready prospect in the draft, he provides a big body that could chip in 50 points right away.  I'll cheat here and add a fourth player to watch for here, and say that Erik Johnson is someone to watch for to finally develop into the player he never became in St. Louis.  10 points since coming to Colorado compared to 19 in 55 games for St. Louis suggests that he could be the top offensive threat from the blue line.

Prediction: 12th in the West

Movie: Jack Frost

The horror version, not the family friendly one starring Michael Keaton, and what else but snow ties the two things together.  Now, if the Avs provided a promotional night featuring this clip, I'd be sold right away.