We all know who eliminated the Colorado Avalanche from the post season last year. And a win against them Tuesday night does not replace that. But, it will still feel pretty damn good. Vegas is down some key players, but injuries is not something you can come complain about to an Avalanche fan. With our without those players, the Avs will be ready to go. One, for some sort of revenge. And two, they want to continue playing the way they did against Tampa. Bowen Byram's season came to an end agains...
Oct 26, 2021•30 min•Ep. 397
The Tampa Bay Lightning, as expected, made the Colorado Avalanche fight for it, but in the end Cale Makar, taking his first ever shoot out attempt, put one past Andrei Vasilevskiy to give the Avalanche the much needed 2nd point and gave the Avs a happier flight back home. The game, however, was not without controversy, as Steven Stamkos drove Avs defender Samuel Girard hard into the boards in a scary and unnecessary hit. No penalty was called and as of this recording, Stamkos has not heard from ...
Oct 25, 2021•31 min•Ep. 396
That opening night win against the Chicago Blackhawks seems so long ago at this point. But, the Avalanche did put in a much better last night against the Florida Panthers than they did in their last game against the Washington Capitals. Still, this Avs team is not where it needs to be and improvements are needed. Officiating didn't help in this one, giving the Panthers two goals of which they probably should not have had, but the Avalanche need to worry about their own play and not what the refs...
Oct 22, 2021•30 min•Ep. 395
Get the worst game of the season out of the way early. Let's hope that's what the Colorado Avalanche did Wednesday night with their first road game of the year against the Washington Capitals. Nothing went right for the Avs. The defense was full of holes, the forwards looks stiff and in the end the Avs gave up 6 goals when it could have been much worse. Yes, it is still early in the season, but to play the way the Avs did should not happen with the talent on this team. Especially with Nathan Mac...
Oct 21, 2021•28 min•Ep. 394
Reports came out late Monday night that Nathan MacKinnon provided a negative COVID test and was therefore en route to Washington to be with the Avalanche. Another negative test Tuesday morning would clear him and allow him to potentially play against the Capitals. Stay tuned to that news as it was surprisingly NOT making the rounds you would expect news like that to be. We do know that Mikael Maltsev and Martin Kaut were called up to the Avs. It remains to be seen if they will actually take the ...
Oct 19, 2021•31 min•Ep. 393
Ain't a hockey season without controversy. Did Tyson Jost kick the puck in to the net to momentarily tie the game against the St. Louis Blues at 4? I think the survey says yes on that. But so did Chandler Stephenson of the Vegas Golden Knights a few days earlier, and that goal stood. Once again, the inconsistency of everything to do with rulings comes into play. Also, the Avs were named as a team who called Buffalo as they gauged interest in Jack Eichel. Why we should not think that has any mean...
Oct 18, 2021•33 min•Ep. 392
We knew the Dept of Player Safety would come calling after Gabriel Landeskog's hit on Kirby Dach, but the lurking question was if a suspension was coming. It did. Landeskog will miss the next two games for the hit and with the status of Nathan MacKinnon for Saturday's game still unknown, this could be a tougher task than usual for the Avs against the Blues. Kyle joins me for his usual Friday slot and we rate the first week for ESPN and TNT. What we liked, what we didn't and what can they do bett...
Oct 15, 2021•33 min•Ep. 391
The Colorado Avalanche set the tone early with three goals in less than 10 minutes, then went on to a 4-2 win in the season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jack Johnson (you read that right) got the scoring going to Colorado, who made life difficult for new Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. On the other end, new Avalanche goalie Darcy Keumper is making Avalanche fans have Grubauer amnesia pretty quick. He was great when he needed to be as Chicago was forcing the issue in an attempt to ...
Oct 14, 2021•28 min•Ep. 390
As if the Avalanche needed more to deal with heading into the regular season, their superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon will miss game one against Chicago after contracting COVID. MacKinnon is vaccinated and is asymptomatic so there is a chance he will be ready to go for game two on Saturday against St. Louis. Cale Makar spoke with the media and he is ready for action. Makar touched on the offseason moves by the Avs, which he is happy with, having Erik Johnson back and how his paring with Sam Gir...
Oct 13, 2021•30 min•Ep. 389
Final decisions were made, and they no doubt were difficult. In the end, some surprises took place and the final roster for the Avalanche is set. Sampo Ranta took one of the final roster spots and Jacob MacDonald did not. He did clear waivers and will play with the Colorado Eagles. There is also no doubt we will see several of the payers who did not make the cut. That is a good problem to have for the Avalanche. They have the depth to call players up when needed and not miss a beat. So what will...
Oct 12, 2021•28 min•Ep. 388
Pavel Francouz will be out of the lineup for 3-4 weeks after suffering a lower body injury against Vegas Tuesday night. The injury is not related to the hip surgery that caused him to miss all of last year, but is just the fact he is injured a cause for concern? The Avalanche to this point in the preseason have not played a game with their full roster of likely starters. Coupled with how the Avs have not been playing particularly well in the preseason, should the coaching staff get as many regul...
Oct 08, 2021•35 min•Ep. 387
Today is a special episode of Locked on Avalanche / Locked on NHL. Gil Martin from Locked on Islanders and I break down this years Central Division as Locked on hosts from each team in the division answer five questions about their team heading into this year. Can the Avs make it past the 2nd round? Will the Predators get the goaltending they need? Can the Stars offense keep up with their defense? All that and more on this special preview episode. Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is onl...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 386
Sure it's the preseason, but this is where guys take an opportunity and turn it into something more. A few guys did that (Maltsev, Barron), a lot of guys didn't (too many to list). The Avalanche did some good things in an ugly loss to Vegas, like 3/4 on the power play, Mikko being Mikko and two pretty goals by Burky, but it was mainly forgettable. The Avs went in with not a single, surefire defensive starter and it showed. Oh, and let the injury bug begin with Pavel Francouz going down. But that...
Oct 06, 2021•33 min•Ep. 385
All fans have a say in how they feel about the teams they support. So throughout the season I will be checking in with some of those fans and friends I have made along the way here and asking them how they feel the Avalanche are doing. Why not start before the season begins with Devin Ruff. Devin has been on the show in the past and was also at the Avs first preseason game against the Minnesota Wild. Devin talks about what it was like to be back watching live Avalanche hockey as well as his expe...
Oct 04, 2021•35 min•Ep. 384
The Colorado Avalanche have struggled to get beyond the 2nd round of the playoffs in the last three years. Last year they had their best opportunity to do so and fell flat against Vegas. The Golden Knights aren't going anywhere and likely will be the Avs biggest challenge in getting to the Cup Finals. Is this the year the Avs finally make it and potentially win the Stanley Cup? Also the Avalanche were in action for their 2nd game of the preseason against the Minnesota Wild. Kyle and I discuss so...
Oct 01, 2021•34 min•Ep. 383
A lot of people want to tag the Avalanche as a not so physical team, which an argument can be made for that, but there is a difference between being a physical team and being the most physical team in the league. The Avs don't need to be that team. They aren't built that way. But having a more physical presence is something they needed to address. Did they? Next, The Hockey Writers discuss three bold predictions for the Avalanche this season, one that is sure to get a discussion going. I throw m...
Sep 30, 2021•30 min•Ep. 382
The Avalanche trotted out a handful of their up and coming prospects to face a Vegas Golden Knights team that was playing their second preseason game, and thus, more predominant players. But the rookies held their own and held a 3rd period lead that they gave away in a 4-3 loss. Some things to work on (0-7 on the PP) but a lot of good things to take away from a hard fought loss. Also, today is day three of our Five Burning Questions facing the Avalanche this season. Today, ironically, I'll talk ...
Sep 29, 2021•30 min•Ep. 381
Like any off season, players will come and players will go. The Avalanche had a close knit group of players but even that is not enough to keep guys together. The Avalanche lost guys like Philipp Grubauer and Brandon Saad to free agency, Joonas Donskoi to an expansion draft and Ryan Graves to a trade. Are the guys they brought in good enough to replicate what guys like that offered? I also take a look at Nazem Kadri, who made his first press conference of training camp. The hit that got him susp...
Sep 28, 2021•31 min•Ep. 380
Each day this week I will be taking a look at 5 burning questions facing the Colorado Avalanche this season. Today we start with the Avalanche and injuries that have hurt them more than any other team the past couple years.....or have they? Injuries happen in all sports, but for the Colorado Avalanche they seem to find their players more than others the past couple years. The Avs will have injuries again this season. It's inevitable. But can they keep those injuries to a minimum and not lead the...
Sep 27, 2021•27 min•Ep. 379
There's no need to worry about either of them, but don't we as Avalanche fans just have to throw our hands up and say 'what gives?'. Coach Bednar stated that Makar had a procedure and the red jersey was for precautionary reasons, while MacKinnon needed a few stitches but was back out on the ice. Kyle joins for another Friday episode and we dive into what the opening night roster might look like on both the offense and defensive side of the ice. Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is only 1...
Sep 24, 2021•39 min•Ep. 378
Days like this are what you wait for when you haven't had hockey for weeks. The Avalanche players returned to Denver for training camp and Coach Jared Bednar updated the press on several players and what he expects from them. One of those players is Shane Bowers. He will be given chances, but will they be enough to make the squad? To end the day, the Avalanche reached a new three year deal for Logan O'Connor that starts next season. Let's discuss is all! Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There...
Sep 23, 2021•29 min•Ep. 377
The rookie tournament in Arizona is over and the Avalanche came away from it with a 2-1 record and more importantly, no injuries. How much stock should we put into this tournament, and who stood out? We will also fast forward to the end of the season and look at all the major awards given out ad how there could be an Avalanche player at least nominated for all of the major awards. Even Joe Sakic finally?? Finally, we say good bye to another Lauren who worked with the Avs. Sideline reporter Laure...
Sep 22, 2021•29 min•Ep. 376
When you have a team that is expected to go places, you get put on TV. This year for the Avs, they can be seen on the national stage 13 times against teams like Vegas, the NY Rangers, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. Today also starts the beginning of the rookie tournament in Arizona. Some of the Avs top prospects will take part. What can we expect? Tune in and subscribe! Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell th...
Sep 17, 2021•33 min•Ep. 375
The Colorado Avalanche have a deep prospect pool and we will see more of them in Arizona for the Prospect Face Off later this week. To prep for that, the Avs had some of their top prospects take part in a 4 on 4 scrimmage. Cool, but why couldn't we watch it from home? Bowen Byram had an assist and a goal in the scrimmage and he said prior to the game he felt better than he has in a long time. Will he have that final D pairing locked up when the puck drops for real? And the Avs will officially ha...
Sep 16, 2021•27 min•Ep. 374
As we continue to get closer to the start of a new NHL season, we also continue to learn more about our division rivals. Today, Jack Bushman from Locked on Blackhawks joins the show to discuss the expectations of the Hawks. Can they continue to make this 'rebuild' a thing of the past? Did Chicago handle last year properly? What is the excitement around newly acquired Seth Jones and Marc-Andre Fleury? Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we tr...
Sep 14, 2021•38 min•Ep. 373
On today's episode, Kyle Sullivan joins in his Friday slot. A big congratulations to Peter McNab and his US Hockey Hall of Fame Induction. Yesterday I discussed three players that could not wait to step out on the ice, today Kyle and I discuss three players who need to step up their game heading into the season. Also, a out of focus picture made the rounds on social media today with inverted colors of the Avalanche Reverse Retro. Is yet another Avalanche jersey upon us? Tune in and subscribe! Be...
Sep 10, 2021•49 min•Ep. 372
The Olympics are around the corner and the Avalanche could potentially have 10 players making different countries rosters. That is both a good and a bad thing. The Avalanche also announced that they are bringing another player in on a PTO, this time with veteran forward Artem Anisimov. Why this is a good move. Finally, I take a look at three Avalanche players who just can't wait to get back out on the ice for opening night. Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you c...
Sep 09, 2021•31 min•Ep. 371
Seth Toupal from Locked on Wild joins to discuss expectations with the Minnesota Wild for the upcoming season. Why haven't the Wild signed Kirill Kaprizov yet and when does Seth think something will get finalized? Who does Seth expect to come out of the shadows and prove their worth and do Wild fans expect the team to be as successful as they were in the shortened 2021 season? Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign ...
Sep 07, 2021•39 min•Ep. 370
The season is right around the corner and I will be doing crossover shows with the hosts of the other teams within the Central Division. Why not start with the new team on the block. Robyn Leano, host of Locked on Coyotes joins and we discuss their off-season as well as what to expect from the 'Yotes. Tune in and subscribe! BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON ...
Sep 03, 2021•39 min•Ep. 369
It was an honor to have ESPN's John Buccigross join me for today's episode of Locked on Avalanche. A long time hockey fan, John and I talk about a wide range of topics including my hometown Union College winning the National Title (a game which John called), ESPN getting the NHL back, the Avalanche expectations for this year and, of course, chicken parm. Tune in and subscribe to this great discussion on hockey. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonli...
Sep 01, 2021•59 min•Ep. 368
