2010 Colorado Avalanche Preview

The goal for the Colorado Avalanche is to set out in the new NHL season and provide that last year’s surprise team was no fluke. Last year the goal seemed to be the start of giant rebuild project that should have ended with the draft lottery turned into a 95 point campaign. Every one wrote teh Av’s off, but at every point they impressed the sports media and their fans. Not to bad for a new Head Coach, and a General Manger who use to head up their souvenir department. Remember when Patrick Roy could not be lured back to this team?

Now Head Coach Joe Sacco leads this team into a new NHL season after compiling a 43-30-9 record a season ago. Not too many people thought Sacco was up for the job, but he connected with the players and gave the youngsters a chance. In return his players sold out for him and gave their best effort. While this team loves to attack, it often leads to chances at the other end and puts a hug workload on Goalie Craig Anderson.

Now this team has to go out and avoid the sophomore jinx. They have enough young guys up front that they could develop into a playoff fixture for years to come, but that jinx likes to jump up and bite teams like this. Their breakout candidate may just be LW Peter Mueller. He had 20 points in just 15 games with the Av’s last year, and that may be enough for this 22 year old to get big time playing time in the new NHL season.

Key Additions- C Daniel Wimnik, C Julian Talbot, C Ben Walter, and RW Greg Mauldin

Key Subtractions- D Brett Clark, LW Chris Durno, G Tyler Welman, D Brian Fahey, C TJ Hensick, and RW Brian Willsie

Related Links:

• Joshua Lobdell.com