The Colorado Rockies are right in the middle of the most important stretch of the season. It started with sweeping the Giants in San Francisco, and then going on to see them take 2 of 3 against a Seattle Mariner squad making an American League playoff push. Coming home to take 2 of 3 against the Diamond Backs, followed by a home sweep against the Mariners, it sets the stage for the opening series against the Diamond backs in Arizona, followed by a 2 game home stand against Houston. After that they host Oakland and then go to St Louis to round out August.
It was back at the beginning of July things were starting to look bleak for the Rockies. Their ace was proving to not be the player the front office thought he was, and one of the reliever's they signed to close out games ended up not living up to par in Bryan Shaw. To remedy this the Rockies sent both down to the minor leagues to get right, but until they prove they are who they thought they were Rockies fans can't trust the Jon Gray and and Bryan Shaw are what the Rockies signed.
Even with all the issues with the pitching staff Denver has remained to within striking distance of the division, and absolutely in wild card contention. It was the beginning of July that the team caught fire. Some comments Nolan Arrenado made to the public seemed to set the team on fire as they have won multiple key games since then. Were the wins due to Arrenado speaking up? Maybe. One things is for sure is the team is absolutely in running for a playoff positions.
At this point I think management needs to admit they need help in the 7th inning. It has simply become a killer for the Rockies. There have been too many games where the Rockies took a lead into the 7th inning that they ended up going to extra innings, or the Rockies found themselves battling for a victory that prior to the 7th looked locked up. It is my opinion the Rockies should be buyers, not sellers as far as trades, and they should not be afraid to pull the trigger on getting a 7th inning guy. It is time for another playoff run for the Rockies, and to do so they are going to need to get a guy who can come in for the 7th inning and get outs. Here's to hoping management can put something together!
Monday, July 16, 2018
Monday, July 2, 2018
The Colorado Avalanche and Their Offseason Plans
Free agency, has started, and the draft has come and gone for the NHL. Colorado has been somewhat active in free agency, and the Avs have been fairly active. They added a goaltender in Philipp Grubauer who the Avs are hoping will be their future goalie, and in they bought out the contract of Brooks Orpik at the same time. They then added defensemen Ian Cole, and 3rd/4th line player Matt Calvert from the Columbus Bluejackets to replace Blake Comeau who signed with the Dallas Stars.
In the draft Colorado selected some players who most likely won't make the roster next season, but in the coming years could provide Colorado with the talent in the farm system that will give them leverage in the future, or give them the opportunity to add players in the coming years. With their first selection the Avs drafted Martin Kaut, who played in the Czech league and had 16 points in 38 games. He is young, and at 6'2 176lbs has room to grow. Along with him the Avs selected 4 other forwards, one defensemen, and two goalies in the draft. None of which will probably make the team this year, but as I said could be future pieces of this team.
It is apparent that the Avs are looking to find a goalie for both now and the future with the addition of Grubauer, and drafting two goalies in the draft. Adding Cole gives them a guy who can play solid defense against in the NHL, and Calvert will replace Comeau on the penalty kill, and the 3rd and 4th lines. I think the Avs need to grab two more pieces in the offseason this year. One is a guy who can win faceoffs consistently. We have been terrible in faceoffs and it is something we need to improve on. The next thing is a big power forward type who can drop the gloves. We lacked a sense of toughness last year, and while we do not need a goon, we need a player who will stand up for the rest of the team.
The Avs are a young, exciting, up and coming team that are a couple pieces away. Hopefully Joe Sakic can find the right mix of players for next year for us to make a playoff run.
In the draft Colorado selected some players who most likely won't make the roster next season, but in the coming years could provide Colorado with the talent in the farm system that will give them leverage in the future, or give them the opportunity to add players in the coming years. With their first selection the Avs drafted Martin Kaut, who played in the Czech league and had 16 points in 38 games. He is young, and at 6'2 176lbs has room to grow. Along with him the Avs selected 4 other forwards, one defensemen, and two goalies in the draft. None of which will probably make the team this year, but as I said could be future pieces of this team.
It is apparent that the Avs are looking to find a goalie for both now and the future with the addition of Grubauer, and drafting two goalies in the draft. Adding Cole gives them a guy who can play solid defense against in the NHL, and Calvert will replace Comeau on the penalty kill, and the 3rd and 4th lines. I think the Avs need to grab two more pieces in the offseason this year. One is a guy who can win faceoffs consistently. We have been terrible in faceoffs and it is something we need to improve on. The next thing is a big power forward type who can drop the gloves. We lacked a sense of toughness last year, and while we do not need a goon, we need a player who will stand up for the rest of the team.
The Avs are a young, exciting, up and coming team that are a couple pieces away. Hopefully Joe Sakic can find the right mix of players for next year for us to make a playoff run.
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