Mark from Alaska wrote this comment about the Avs 3rd jersey:

They look like a replica of an old fashioned sweater using new technology/fabrics. I don’t buy into the fact that a sleek fabric makes a player better or faster. Constant gut-checks, love of the [...]]]> This was so spot on, I thought it deserved it’s own post.

Mark from Alaska wrote this comment about the Avs 3rd jersey:

They look like a replica of an old fashioned sweater using new technology/fabrics. I don’t buy into the fact that a sleek fabric makes a player better or faster. Constant gut-checks, love of the game and a hatred of failure makes players better…RBK doesn’t really help or assist, it only makes them look worse in the process. I’m pretty sure the goal leaders in the NHL won’t be thanking RBK for their great season unless contractually obliged to do so.

Dead on, Mark. I wonder if Sidney Crosby, poster boy for Rebook, ever read a statement thanking them for his Stanley Cup.

Technorati Tags: Jerseys

(the picture is from Icethetics, who got it somewhere else)

Great, the Avs will be playing in a Snuggie.

Look, I’ve made no [...]]]> The Colorado Avalanche finally showed off their latest abomination to the hockey world powered by Reebok 3rd jersey to the world, and while it has elements of the original 3rd, it really isn’t any match.

(the picture is from Icethetics, who got it somewhere else)

Great, the Avs will be playing in a Snuggie.

Look, I’ve made no secret of my dislike to the RBK EDGE jerseys, and the Avs home and away jerseys aren’t my favorites. These? Add them to the list.

I’m really not sure what the point of having a photo negative of the previous 3rd jersey is. Perhaps it’s just to create something a little different. Or as some would put it, a money grab (remember folks, it’s only a money grab if you don’t want to buy one) For me, the maroon is the primary Avalanche color, and the old 3rd jersey was full of win. This one is blue, and lousy with it. And I do mean lousy. I’m still not a fan of the piping on the shoulders (or anywhere on the EDGE jerseys).

Does that say Avalanche on the back of the neck? What the hell is that, a dog collar? What is the point? You know what should say Avalanche on it? The Stanley Cup. Oh, it does? Twice? Sweet.

Oh, and I like how Paul Stastny taped his socks on, like he was going to play a game. I guess old habits die hard.
I know some people have a problem with Colorado printed down the front of the old third jerseys, but I like it, and if there is any reason to like this jersey, that’s it. It’s a classy and classic look. It makes the jersey look like it belongs in a hockey rink, rather than in a shoe store. If there is one thing I am truly grateful for, it’s that Joe Sakic’s old locker is encased in glass, so this jersey will never find it’s way in. And the first person to put #19 on the back of one if these should be hit in the nose with a rolled up magazine and told, “NO!”

I think I will have to see these things first hand before I pass final judgement, but from the initial images, I am not a fan. That’s just my opinion. What’s yours?

Update: Does the fact that I like the old Avs third jersey and don’t like the new Avs third jersey make me a hypocrite? Maybe, and I can live with that.  But if you take something that works, stick it in a blender, turn that blender on high, and declare a success, I wouldn’t call that a good idea.

Technorati Tags: Jerseys

The Avs have first place in the league locked up.

That is all.

Technorati Tags: Standings

I know it won’t last. I know 11 games are not an entire season. But I’m going to cherish this moment. I hope you do to.

Technorati Tags: Standings

- The amount of turnovers in the first six minutes were mind boggling. It seemed like everyone had a number eight on their back.

- Is there a reason for Scott [...]]]> I haven’t done a game report in a while. Mine aren’t like your average game recaps. My “insight” and focus goes in different directions. Enjoy.

- The amount of turnovers in the first six minutes were mind boggling. It seemed like everyone had a number eight on their back.

- Is there a reason for Scott Hannan shooting the puck? Seriously, he has to be the least effective shooter in the league. When he lifts his stick for a slap shop, goalies around the league must laugh and laugh.

- Mike Babcock, Head Coach of the Red Wings, must be an Avalanche fan. He was at the game. (anyone see him after the game? Maybe give him the Englewood Jack?)

- When you see the Hurricanes lines all together in a grid, you realize they have a four effective lines. Nothing flashy, just solid.

- Hannan takes another shot. The puck trickles off his stick as though a large box fan were blowing on it.

- A long shot of the ice shows a lot of empty seats behind the net. Oh, there will be snarky blogs written. Me? I’m enjoying some HDTV action. I’m in San Diego, so I can’t go, but I can tell you this. For the money you spend at the rink, and the “show” you get when you are there, I would rather be watching at home in HD. (looks like a lot of people agree with me)

- Duchene has an incredible tip in front of the net that was a few degrees from being dangerous. The Carolina announcers called Duchene a phenom, but I think you need a little more than one goal before that can be said. (note to homers: I am critical of the team, as well as being a fan. You will get used to it)

- O’Reilly digs the puck out and puts the Avs on the board. The puck probably wouldn’t have gone in had O’Reilly not taken as long as he did to drag the puck out with his backhand.

- Paul Stastny with a backhander fools Cam Ward. Do not give Stastny room in front of the net.

- There is nothing worse than announcers talking about themselves. This is the Canes feed BTW.

- The Darcy Tucker injury doesn’t look good. Watching Tucker’s left foot twitch is awful to watch. The silence on the broadcast is almost as scary. Watching him, his right side seems to be moving just fine, but the left side doesn’t look good.

- Someone needs to take the Patrick Roy and Ray Bourque banners down and wash them. They look yellow compared to Joe Sakic’s retired number.

- “And he needed that swallow. He didn’t need a gargle there.” What the hell does that mean?

- Hejduk gets the Avs on top. Stastny with the pass, and Duchene getting abused on the side of the net, which actually helped the Avalanche score.

- Wolski gets one paw out of the doghouse with the fourth goal of the game for the home team. The Canes say Wolski has 5 goals already. It’s hard to believe, considering the puck seems to go right to the opposing team off his stick (maybe it;s his sticks).

- “Anderson scampers off…” Scampers? Does Cam Ward “scamper?” I doubt it.

- I know this will to sound weird, but there are times I think Duchene shoots too often. Sometimes he looks like he is only thinking shot when he gets the puck on his stick. I don’t think he’s used to playing with skaters who can handle a quick pass or fast plays.

- A puck sneaks past Anderson, and we get a look at two very excited Canes fans at Le Can, who I’m guessing are the only Canes there.

- Wilson goes off for holding. It’s too bad. He was one arm too many from a good Rob Blake hip check.

- Paul Stastny clears the zone, making him the most effective penalty killer on the team.

- “That was an Orr-esque play.” Really, Canes guy? Pitkanien? Orr-esque? Maybe Colton Orr. Get real.

- Wait, the Avs play the Red Wings on Saturday? Who’s going to be in net? Does Anderson get back to back starts the day after playing this game? Yikes. Or will Tyler Weiman get thrown to the wolves? If it is, my Weiman jersey is going to get some use.

- Penalty shot? OK, good call. Anderson comes up huge with the save, and the Avalanche stay on top.

- Pitkanen goes to the box, putting the Canes down by two men, which the Avs take advantage of. How Orr-esque is that?

- Did they just say Kyle Cumiskey is the best skater on the Avalanche? OK, I’m done with these announcers. They are killing me. (I’m not a fan of our homers, but these homers are just as bad)

- 4:00 left in the game, and the Avs get their asses handed to them in around their own net. It isn’t pretty, and the best you can say is the puck stays out of the net. Beyond that, it was a cluster-F.

- Wolski has looked tired most of the period.

- Eric Staal should have been a little smarter at the end of the game. Of course, the same goes for Hannan, who got lucky when he fell to the ice, on top of a skate.

- Hey, Tyler Weiman has the number 30 on his jersey. My Weiman game issue has number 35.

AVALANCHE WIN!. It wasn’t a pretty win, and on the upside, there weren’t a lot of people there to see it. (attendance was 13,673, and it looked like less) Somehow, Scott Hannan leads the team in plus / minus, further destroying the credibility of that particular stat.

Technorati Tags: Game Notes, Carolina Hurricanes

So happy….

Technorati Tags: Standings

That may sound kind of mean. I don’t ned to pick on Jordan Leopold, his services, when available, were decent enough. But it hasn’t been easy to get the taste of his first season with the Avs out of the mouth. It [...]]]> See you later, Leopold. Don’t let the door hit you.

That may sound kind of mean. I don’t ned to pick on Jordan Leopold, his services, when available, were decent enough. But it hasn’t been easy to get the taste of his first season with the Avs out of the mouth. It wasn’t always his fault, but the Avs needed him, and he wasn’t there. Now he gets to go back to his old team for very little: a 2nd round pick, a defensive prospect, and a defenseman with some serious frequent flyer miles. From TSN:

This is the well traveled Nycholat’s third team in a week after the Flames claimed the Calgary native off of waivers from the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. He has one assist in 14 games with the Canucks this season.

Well, welcome aboard, Lawrence Nycholat. You will find the underachievers over there, and the Lake Erie Monsters over there. Enjoy your stay.

On the positive side, I don’t have to type “Jordan Leopold was out of the Avs lineup” ever again.

For the pre-deadline chat, Tom Luongo and I talked about some of the big names that may be moved on our podcast, The Rink. You can [...]]]> Trade deadline day is always a circus. Even if the team you love doesn’t make a lot of moves, watching the carnage around you is always spectacular.

For the pre-deadline chat, Tom Luongo and I talked about some of the big names that may be moved on our podcast, The Rink. You can find that episode here. We are also going to be doing a post-deadline podcast to sum up who won, who lost, and who looked like a tool. I’ll post a link here when that is done.

As for breaking news, no one is going to be coming by here for it, so I leave that to the big boys. I’m going to be driving from Portland to Seattle while the deadline is ongoing, so I won’t be updating through the day.

I expect the Avalanche to shed a few players, but who is still in question. The obvious ones are Ian Laperriere and Jordan Leopold, but I could see Andrew Raycroft going for some depth player or a pick to someone who needs a backup (like the Sabres). My biggest feeling is that there isn’t much the Avs have that is tradable. Guys like Stastny, Wolski and the like aren’t up for grabs, and many of the rest aren’t desirable lately.

I’ll put my take on things up tomorrow, as well as a few more game recaps (I’m falling woefully behind on those). Hopefully, the Avalanche are still going to be worth watching after tomorrow (Too Late!).

Go Avs!