Concerns About The Avalanche After Beating Vegas

The Colorado Avalanche are starting to get healthy, putting some wins together, and settling in for the playoffs. They beat Vegas last night 3-0, and seemingly had the game in hand from 14 seconds into the contest when Mikko Rantanen scored a goal with a great play to knock the puck out of the air, and put in the back of the net. The Avs looked fast, and Alexander Georgiev had another amazing game in net! On the surface everything looked really good, but as the game went on I began to have some concerns.

The first thing I thought of was that Vegas has completely changed the way they play, and they are going to beat teams by grinding them down, and playing a more "boring" style of defensive hockey where they wait for you to make a mistake, and generate their offense that way. They really try to take away all the open ice, and make it hard for us to use our speed. I realize the Avalanche will be getting Cale, and hopefully Gabe back, but even with them back Colorado still needs to make a couple moves to set themselves up in order to repeat. 

Vegas has built a roster of players who have all bought into the defensive, grinding style they play. They have plenty of playmakers on the team, but they have bought into the system. It's almost like they know they have to play us that way because trying to skate with us, or get into a high scoring game with us doesn't work. While we won the game last night, the way Vegas plays is tailored to winning in the playoffs. Watching the game last night I couldn't help but think that Vegas is going to be a problem for a lot of teams, and I started thinking about all those years prior to last year when we would get beat in the 2nd round of the playoffs. All season we would look amazing being able to out skate, and out score teams, but the playoffs are a grind which is why we would get beat in the 2nd round. Last years team had guys like Kadri, Sturm, Aube-Kubel, Landeskog, and Darren Helm who all had different roles, but were either just under, or over 200lbs, and would throw their weight around. Eric Johnson was also healthy, and he plays a crucial role in shutting other teams top players down.

Even once we get Landeskog back I am hoping we make another move for a top 6, two way player with some size. The two names I am hearing the most are Max Domi, who is the style of player we need in our top 6, and the other name is Kevin Hayes from the Flyers who is 6'5 and 220lbs. Either one could slide right into the second line center position. I personally also think we need another bigger, stay at home defenseman because while Manson and Jack Johnson are great players, last year they had Eric Johnson who played a big role in the playoffs against opposing teams top players. I don't think it would hurt to bring a veteran guy to play the role Ryan Murray played last year where if he is called upon due to injury he can step in, play consistent, and won't get rattled. Regardless of what happens at the trade deadline this week the NHL playoffs are shaping up to be pretty incredible!

It's Time For The Avalanche To Make Moves

I didn't realize it had been so long between my posts! Seems fitting that my last post was about the Avalanche, and that's what my first post back will be about as well. 

Watching the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup brought back a lot of memories of the Cup runs with Joe Sakic playing, and not running the organization, Peter Forsberg, Adam Foote, Patrick Roy, and all the other big names of those teams. Something that I don't think people who aren't hockey fans truly grasp is just how hard it is to win the Stanley Cup. Winning back to back Cups is so difficult only 8 franchises have ever accomplished that feat. There are a number of concerns on this team going into the playoffs, and it is getting to that time where Chris Macfarland, and Joe Sakic need to make some moves in order to give the team the best shot to repeat. 

Going into the season there was talk that Colorado's one weakness could be their second line center. Losing a player like Kadri was going to leave a noticeable gap in our top 6, and team goal scoring prowess. The Avalanche have also been hit hard by the injury bug this season. All year the Avs have been playing without major pieces in their line up, and it doesn't look like that is going to improve anytime soon with Eric Johnson, and Cale Makar both missing time.  Here are a few moves I feel would benefit the team to make a push to be the 9th team win back to back Stanley Cup Championships. 

Trading Chicago for Jonathan Toews. 

Chicago is rebuilding, and are looking to trade Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane, who are the last two remaining members of their most recent Stanley Cup runs. He has a considerable cap number, but I am sure the Avs front office would be able to negotiate Chicago eating a good chunk of it. Toews would bring a bigger bodied, two way player, who is also very good at faceoffs. 

Trading Montreal for Sean Monahan

Monahan is another player similar to Toews. Both are team captains of their respective teams (Toews and the Blackhawks, and Monahan the Canadians), both are good at faceoffs, they are similar in size, but I would say Toews has the advantage on scoring ability, but Monahan is the more physical, and plays with more of an edge. 

Trading Florida for Radko Goudas

Eric Johnson just went down with an injury that is going to keep him out for what they said will be "weeks". Losing EJ takes away one of our two bigger, physical, shut down defensemen. One thing we know for sure is in order to win during the playoffs you need veteran, physical players for when the series start to "grind". Goudas has been linked to Edmonton, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay. He only has a $2.5 million dollar cap hit, and is a free agent next year. 

Trading St. Louis for Igor Barbashev

He's 6'1 195lbs, has a $2.25 million dollar cap hit, and he could provide us with the number 2 center we need. He can skate, score, and would provide a bigger forward that would wear on the opposing teams defenses.

Trading Chicago for Jack Johnson

After Eric Johnson going down bringing back Jack Johnson who played such a huge role for the team last year back.  

Trading Edmonton for Jesse Puljujarvi

There has been talk all year that Edmonton is going to trade him. We currently have another 6'4 Finnish guy on the team, but he is a goal score. Puljujarvi is a player who plays a physical, gritty game, and that is something we need, and especially in the playoffs. 

Finally......for my last suggestion, any player from the Vancouver Canucks. That is a dumpster fire if I have ever seen one, and if we can get a player like a Luke Schenn from them it wouldn't be the worst thing that's happened. 

 

Do The Colorado Avalanche Have Any Weakness? I Say Yes.....

      After taking pretty much the whole year off from writing anything, I figured rather than making another Broncos post I would write about the Avalanche, and how they might not be as ready to dominate as a lot of people around town might think!

     Growing up an Avalanche fan in the 90's and early 2000's I didn't realize how spoiled I was as far as hockey teams go. Watching guys like Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Adam Foote, and the countless others that made those Avalanche teams perennial Stanley Cup contenders was amazing. When you look at the rosters of the Avalanche teams that won the Cup there is literally no real weakness to be found. They had the star power, leadership, and of course goaltending to give themselves a chance in any game they played. 

     Coming into the 2020-2021 season it is very easy to be just as excited for the current team playing down at Ball Arena as it was in either one of the years the Avalanche won the Cup. The 20-21 Avalanche might be the best all around skating team we have ever had in Colorado, and that is saying something considering the players I mentioned above. When the Avs put out their top line of Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, and Nathan Mackinnon along with defensmen Cale Makar, and Devon Toews it is the equivalent of another teams number 1 power play unit, where teams put their best players on the ice at the same time in hopes of scoring. Their second line would be the top line on most other NHL teams, and they have kids like Bo Byram, and Samuel Girard on the blue line with the big veteran Eric Johnson. When this team is skating well watching them play is a thing of beauty. Add in steady goaltending from Philipp Grubauer, and there's no stopping this team right? Not so fast!

     The sport of hockey has gone through a variety of rule changes to make the game safer. These rule changes have all be in favor of creating more scoring, creating harsher penalties for getting too physical, or dirty play. Despite all that, hockey is still a very physical sport, and as such you need a couple guys on your team that play with an edge, or are what some people would call "dogs". The days of the 'goons' are gone in hockey, so I am not talking about specifically fighting (though players like this should be able to at least be proficient in fighting). I am talking about guys who take pleasure in going into the corners and fighting for the puck. The big bodies that just grind on people, and wear them down especially over course of say a seven game series? Guys who finish checks, and don't let their teammates get pushed around. The Colorado Avalanche, as currently constructed don't really have anyone who fits this role. 

     What 'role' am I talking about? I can't really say, but the best way to describe it is by mentioning players who fit this role. Looking at the '95-'96 Avalanche roster players who fit this role are guys like Adam Foote, Mike Ricci, Mike Keane, Claude Lemieux, and others. The '00-'01 team had again, Adam Foote, but also guys like Dan Hinote, Rob Blake, Eric Messier, and others that fit the role I am speaking of. In a game of pond hockey with no walls, and no real physical play to speak of this Avalanche team might be the greatest team ever assembled, but when you add in the physical play suddenly that huge gap in talent becomes a little closer. Currently the Avs are ranked number 24 out of 31 as far as team size goes. The biggest team in the NHL is currently Las Vegas tipping the scales, on average at 203lbs, the Avs are number 24 weighing on average 197lbs. So if the difference isn't just being a smaller team, what is it? In my opinion it is attitude. Comparing rosters there is nobody on this team like Adam Foote who was big, played with an edge, and could shut down just about anyone in the NHL in his prime. I of course am not talking about his skill, as that is very tough to replicate, I am talking about his willingness to do the dirty work for his team. He, and others brought an edge to this team that was very important to have in my opinion with the star power that team could put on the ice. 

     My hope is that the skill on this team, and the way the league has changed will help the Avalanche in the playoffs when those bigger teams like Las Vegas, Dallas, Anaheim, St. Louis, etc start literally throwing their weight around. I think at some point the Avs will need to look to make a move or two in order to bring in a couple bigger bodies, that like to play physical to go along with the guys they have now like Matt Calvert, Eric Johnson, and Nazim Kadri who on the team now.  

Perspective On The Melvin Gordon Signing

     As the country locks down to combat the corona virus the NFL continues to do business, and news continues to be made. One of the bigger moves of the off season came when former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon signed a 2 year 16 million dollar contact to play for the Denver Broncos. Gordon was the running back who held out until the Chargers game on October 6th against Denver in hopes of getting a contract that paid him north of the 5 million he was set to receive. With the 13.5 million dollars he got guaranteed over two years he got paid a fair amount, but you have to wonder if he would've been paid more had he not held out, and put up similar numbers to his 2018-2019 season.

     The first thing I thought of when Gordon was signed was "we already have a number 1 back in Phillip Lindsey". There are people who think Lindsey is too small to continue get a lot of carries in the NFL, and there are people who believe he can get the job done despite his smaller size. I am in the group that believes he can get the job done. Today's NFL almost requires that you have multiple running backs on your team. Despite his toughness Lindsey was still suspect with his pass blocking, and pass catching abilities last season. I have no doubt those issues were due to the wrist injury he sustained the season before, and had surgery to correct. There is no doubt that as Lindsey heals he will improve in both of those areas. Known to be one of the hardest workers both on the team, and in the league, I believe with the added competition of Melvin Gordon both players will end up being better for it.

     Something I didn't think about immediately was that with the new collective bargaining agreement NFL game day rosters expanded from from 46 players to 48 players, with the only catch being that one of those two players has to be an offensive linemen. This means teams have an extra roster spot to play with. It makes sense that teams would use that roster spot to add another top quality running back on offense. The NFL is a league that constantly evolves, and over the last 10 years the running back position changed from a position you build an entire offense around, to one that is largely filled with role players outside of an elite few. Even for those elite few the lifespans of their careers are not very long. When you stop and think about it adding another top tier running back to the team makes total sense. While I do not think that the signing of Melvin Gordon is something that made Phillip Lindsey happy, I think they will push each other, and new Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Schurmur will take full advantage of being able to have two top tier running NFL running backs to create mismatches against defenses with.

My First 2020 Denver Broncos Mock Draft

     Today is Thursday March 19th, and as of now the NFL draft is still scheduled to happen. I wouldn't be shocked if they postponed it, or at least changed the layout drastically to eliminate as much human interaction as possible. With that being said the NFL draft will take place at some point, and the Denver Broncos have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. These are the players I believe Denver should try and draft at each position.

     "With the 15th pick of the first round of the 2020 NFL draft the Denver Broncos select......Kenneth Murray, Inside Linebacker from the University of Oklahoma. Murray is exactly what the defense needs in the middle. He is big, smart, and extremely athletic. Murray ran a 4.52 40 yard dash at the combine, and has shown on film that he is able to cover both tight ends, and running backs. Todd Davis and AJ Johnson are the current starters at inside linebacker for the Broncos. Both are solid tacklers, and physical players, but they are absolute liabilities in pass coverage. If your inside linebackers cannot cover tight ends, and running backs your defense will be at a severe disadvantage, and will be taken advantage of. Kenneth Murray has the ability to be a premier inside linebacker for years to come.

Denver's pick in the 2nd round is pick number 46.

     "With the 46th pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos select Tyler Biadasz, Center, University of Wisconsin." One of the Broncos biggest additions this off season was offensive lineman Graham Glasgow. He is able to play both center, and guard, but I think ideally he would be a better fit at guard. Having Dalton Risner at left guard, Tyler Biadasz at center, and Graham Glasgow at right guard would give Denver potentially the best interior offensive line in the NFL.

Denver then has 3 picks in the 3rd round, 77, 83, and 95.

"With the 77th pick in the 2020 NFL draft the Denver Broncos select Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor University". The Broncos need to add a legitimate number 2 receiver to play opposite of Courtland Sutton. Denver is also severely lacking in speed, and Mims will solve both problems. Mim's is a 6'2 205lb receiver who on film seems to catch everything thrown his direction. Mims turned in a blazing 4.38 40 time, and has shown the ability to get behind a defense to make a big play.

"With the 83rd pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos select DaVon Hamilton, defensive tackle, Ohio State Univeristy." Hamilton is a 6'3 327lb beast in the middle of a defense. Most guys his size are typically known simply as run stuffers, but Hamilton can get after the quarterback as well. He had six sacks in 2019, and also put up the most amount of 225lb bench reps at the combine with 33 reps. Adding Jurrell Curry helped bolster the Broncos line, but all 3 starters from last year are being replaced. Adding Hamilton would give Denver a player who can play nose tackle, or the defense end/defensive tackle spot the 3-4 defensive scheme Denver runs.

"With the 95th pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos select AJ Dillon, Running Back, Boston College." If I had to describe AJ Dillon in one word it would be violent. Dillon is 6' and weighs 247lbs. He ran a 4.53 40 yard dash, and has shown a good ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Denver has a running back in Phillip Lindsey who has elite speed, and cutting ability. Every time Lindsey has the ball he is a threat to score. However, last year we saw a re-emergence of the bigger, power type back with a guy like Derrick Henry for the Tennessee Titans. Dillon is a back poured from the same mold. When you watch Dillon's tape you can see he runs with an aggression not shared by many. Dillon would be a fantastic change of pace back to Lindsey. Dillon would especially come in handy when it is late in the game, Denver has the lead, and is trying to run out the clock. AJ Dillon would look fantastic in Broncos Orange.

     As of right now Denver has 10 draft picks. It will be of vital importance that John Elway is able to find multiple players who can contribute this year if we want to beat KC for the division. I think getting these 5 players in the first 3 rounds could potentially be one of Denver's best draft classes ever.

Drafting A Power Running Back

     As we head into the combine for the 2020 NFL draft the Denver Broncos are sitting in a position where they need to find another running back to add to the roster. Phillip Lindsey is a dynamic back with elite speed, and an incredible will to compete. Described as a "smaller" back, Lindsey has the heart, and toughness to run between the tackles. Just because someone is willing doesn't necessarily mean they are able. For all of his effort Lindsey isn't an effective of a runner between the tackles as a back who is over 240lbs would be. That is simply physics. Currently the Broncos have a back in Royce Freeman who is a bigger back, but he hasn't shown the propensity to be an overly physical runner game in, and game out. This leaves the Broncos in a position where they need to look to add another running back that is a true bruiser. Despite the fact that Denver has a ton of cap room I would look to fill this position through the draft. After researching the running backs coming out this year I have narrowed it down to two guys who I think could step in and help the Broncos immediately.

     The first player, who also happens to be my favorite out of the two is AJ Dillon from Boston College. Dillon is 6 feet tall and listed at 249lbs. Watching him on film the first thing you notice is that he isn't just a big back, this guy can flat out move. When Dillon gets that 249lb body going full speed with his shoulders headed down field it is a sight to be hold. He absolutely punishes opposing players who attempt to tackle him. Dillon has had a minimum of 225 carries in each of the last 3 seasons, and in 2019 Dillon carried the ball 318 times, for 1685 yards, and 14 touchdowns. In 2018 he has 227 carries, for 1100 yards, and 10 touchdowns, and in 2017 Dillon carried the ball 300 times, for 1589 yards, and 14 touchdowns. With all those impressive numbers there is a stat that often times get overlooked, and that is the amount of times he has fumbled the ball. Impressively, according to ESPN stats, Dillon hasn't fumbled the ball one time in the last 3 years. Here is an impressive highlight of AJ Dillon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Cfb-FC5wA

     Another running back similar to Dillon in this years draft is a guy named Sewo Olonilua from TCU. He is 6'3, and 240lbs, and runs with a punishing style just like Dillon does. The reason I like Dillon more is simply he has far more impressive numbers. Dillon was used the Boston Colleges primary back, whereas Olonilua shared time with other players. This means there isn't as much info on him, but it also means that his body hasn't taken the abuse that a back like Dillon has. In 2017 Olonilua had 64 carries, for 330 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2018 he had 135 carries for 635 yards, and 2 touchdowns, and in 2019 he had 134 carries for 537 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Olonilua is a better receiver out of the backfield than Dillon having caught 24 passes in 2019, but with his size his pass catching ability is nice, but most likely will not be used. If Denver is throwing to a running back is it is going to be Phillip Lindsey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIW332SOA8c&t=82s

     Obviously Dillon will most likely go in the top 2-5 rounds, so if Denver really liked him they might have to get him earlier than they would have to get Olonilua. It is impossible to watch the above highlights and not get excited for the possibility of one of those players taking hand offs in Denver. Either one would be the perfect compliment to Phillip Lindsey, and would push Royce Freeman to either be the back we drafted him to be, or to move on. One thing is for sure, and that is last year Tennessee proved that having a big body back absolutely wears opposing teams down late in the game, and a player like this would be huge dividends for the Broncos, and Pat Schurmer's offense.

A Draft Prospect The Broncos Should Pursue!

     Going over the list of offseason needs for the Broncos to address, and one of them is a finding a third running back to play with Phil Lindsey, and Royce Freeman. Last season Denver used DeVontae Booker as their 3rd running back, and predominantly used him as a receiving option on 3rd downs. Denver didn't use him much, but the Broncos need to find a guy who can play running back, but also can run routes from the wide receiver position. Before the season last year Denver tried to address this need with signing Theo Riddick, but Riddick never got healthy enough to see the field in 2019. Does Denver look to bring back Riddick? Sign another free agent running back who fits the profile? Or target someone in the draft? As luck would have it there is a guy in this years draft that fits the profile for what Denver needs, and his name is Antonio Gibson, who is a hybrid running back/wide receiver from the University of Memphis. 

     To say Gibson is not like other guys who played his position would be an understatement. At 6'2 and 220lbs he has the size to play, and excel at running back. The interesting thing about Gibson that jumps off the screen at you when you watch his film is that he is actually a wide receiver who plays running back very well! Usually for those types of players they are typically running backs who can play wide receiver, but in Gibson's case it is the other way around. 

     Gibsons is not a player I think the Broncos should target before the 4th round. In 2019 Gibson had 38 receptions in 14 games for for 735 yards, and 8 touchdowns. His rushing statistics show he was used as a running back on average of just under 3 times per game, as he had 33 carries for for 369 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also returned punts, and kicks for Memphis, and also had a touchdown doing that in 2019. With a total of 13 touchdowns in 2019 I think it is safe to say Gibson knows how to get in the end zone. 

     While a player with his ability to score is always nice to have, I think the most impressive thing about him is the athletic ability he has been able to show, and put on film. Whether it be at running back, wide receiver, or as a returner, Gibson possesses the quickness, speed, and has the size to be a threat to score every time he touches the ball. This is exactly the type of player the Broncos need. Even though Gibson is listed as a wide receiver, I think he would make the team as a running back/returner. However, just because he is listed as a running back, I think he could be used as the teams 4th wide receiver as well. This would would save Denver a couple roster spots, and finally give them a player with the size, and speed to score on punt, and kick returns. If Gibson is there in the 4th round or later in this years draft I think Denver should look to draft him, and use his unique abilities in the mile high city!