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Anyone But Detroit - A Colorado Avalanche Blog
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Written by Sean Payton
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Wednesday, 25 August 2010 20:44 |
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The Colorado Avalanche announced new number assignments today. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
Forwards
Defensemen
Goaltenders
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Written by Sean Payton
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Saturday, 17 July 2010 21:05 |
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Since you read my blog, (besides having incredibly good taste) I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you're a fairly hardcore Avalanche fan. Assuming that you also live in Colorado, if you're anything like me, you were on Tickethorse.com at 10AM MDT sharp, refreshing the page with credit card in hand, ready to claim the best seats possible for the Sept 20th Burgundy / White game.
Well, unfortunately for us, our promptness was not rewarded. Instead we were greeted with this:
"This" would be a webpage without a link to actually buy tickets to the event. And really, that's the most important part.
I quickly confirmed (10:02AM) via Twitter that I wasn't alone in experience. Without a working website, I was left with two choices: 1. Attempt to order via phone 2. Drive my unshowered behind 20 mins to the nearest Dick's Sporting Goods.
I chose method 1. This experience wasn't any less frustrating. After listening to the automated message all but beg me to go to TicketHorse.com to make my purchase, and warn me of "high call volume" and the potential for a "busy signal", I was able to press 1 in order to place my order. Sure enough, busy signal.
And so I repeatedly refreshed the broken webpage, while my wife and I both repeatedly called TicketHorse -- only pausing to send complaint tweets to @TicketHorse. And I wasn't alone:
- @JessicaAvsFan WTF @tickethorse? The tix for the Burgundy/White game should be on sale and you don't answer your phones. Why should I do business with you?
- @Curucar lame tickethorse, lame. Not putting the Avs' scrimmage game on your website, and your phone lines give me busy signals.
- @anyonebutDET 40 mins and no communication via website or twitter, @tickethorse. very disappointed.
Thankfullly, right after I sent that last tweet, I refreshed the broken webpage and it was finally fixed - a "buy tickets" button suddenly. I quickly secured my tickets and went on with my day.
Look, shit happens, websites can get messed up - and the problem was corrected in less than 1 hour, which really isn't too bad. But I would have appreciated a quick message via Twitter, or maybe a banner on the webpage, anything that acknowledged the problem while it was occurring and / or an apology via Twitter after the fact. As of 8:50PM MDT, neither have occurred (in fact @TicketHorse hasn't sent a single tweet all day.) |
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Written by Sean Payton
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 07:05 |
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The Colorado Avalanche signed former Devils forward Ben Walter to a 1 year deal yesterday.
In an Anyone But Detroit exclusive phone interview, Avs GM Greg Sherman had this to say regarding Ben Walter: "Everyone was clambering for us to go after #17 on the Devils. So we did and we got him. He's an all world talent who is going to be a big part of the success of this organization next year. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I was really surprised we got him for so cheap. I was also surprised that his accent wasn't thicker. That's good news from a marketing standpoint - we're already planning a weekly segment with him and Duchene on Avalanche All Access."
When I mentioned to Sherman that if I didn't know any better, it sounded like he had Walter and Kovalchuk mixed up, he said "...what was that?...can't hear you...phone is connection is bad...heading under a tunnel, might lose connection..."
Walter will be a fine asset in Lake Erie next season. |
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Written by Sean Payton
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Saturday, 26 June 2010 21:10 |
Joey Hishon - 1st round, 17th overall
Position: Center
From: Ontario, Canada
Wears: #18
Playing with: Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Hishon is a very skilled center lacking ideal size. He has a good compete level which may help him overcome his lack of stature, but he'll also have to show that he can handle the bigger competition he'll face in the pro game.
My take: Its pretty clear that the Avs feel Hishon projects to an elite player who's stock fell because he was banged up last year -- so much so that they weren't willing to trade down and hope he was still there. Sure, it's a bit of a gamble, but isn't the whole draft in the first place?
Calvin Pickard - 2nd round, 47th overall
Position: Goaltender
From: Manitoba, Canada
Wears: #1
Playing with: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Pickard is fundamentally sound with very quick reflexes. He handles the puck efficiently and covers the net very well due to excellent balance.
My take: It will be fun to watch a highly talented prospect in goal develop, however, goaltenders take forever. Even the goalies who are talented enough to play in the NHL early and have success (Steve Mason, Carey Price) seem to go through extended periods of lackluster play.
Michael Bournival - 3rd round, 71th overall
Position: Center / Left Wing
From: Quebec, Canada
Wears: #78
Playing with: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Possesses the ability to play in all three zones and a no-quit, win at any cost attitude. Bournival might not be the most talented player available, but his work ethic and dedication will help ensure that he becomes a viable NHL prospect.
My take: Sounds like he's got the right attitude - hopefully he can continue to develop his skills. If he can make it with the big club, he shouldn't have any trouble getting #78.
Stephen Silas - 4th round, 95th overall
Position: Defenseman
From: Ontario, Canada
Wears: #26
Playing with: Belleville Bulls (OHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: (Not Available)
My take: The Avs must be fairly high on Silas, high enough to move into a high 4th round slot with the Islanders for next year's 3rd round pick in order to take him. Not much out there on Silas, but he does have a profile on hockeyfights.com.
Sami Aittokallio - 4th round, 107th overall
Position: Goaltender
From: Tampere, Finland
Wears: #1
Playing with: Ilves (Finland - Jr)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Scout #1: "Aittokallio was circled on most teams' sheets because they wanted to know more about him but since he got hurt most teams are blind to his abilities so he will likely fall in the draft," said the scout. "My opinion is that he's the better goalie [than Iilahti] ...but his development seems to have slowed slightly where as Iilahti is really developing quickly. Aittokallio's biggest strength is his intelligence. He has really good reflexes and athleticism but just seems to really be able to slow the play down and control it when he has to."
My take: Finland has become a goalie factory: Backstrom, Kipprusoff, Renne, Toskala, Niittymaki, Rask, Niemi, etc. I'm glad the Avs seriously upgraded their goaltending prospects with this draft. Last year - they drafted Milan and Maxwell in late rounds and both did very little to convince anyone they were serious NHL prospects. I'll go out on a limb and say that either Aittokallio or Pickard will wear the #1 for the Avs (it might take 10 years, though...).
Troy Rutkowski - 5th round, 137th overall
Position: Defenseman
From: Alberta, Canada
Wears: #2
Playing with: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Rutkowski is solid on his skates and protects the puck well. He continues to build confidence in his defensive game, although he always appears to have the green light to jump into the play when opportunities arise.
My take: Sounds like your typical late round project.
Luke Walker - 5th round, 139th overall
Position: Right Wing
From: BC, Canada
Wears: #14
Playing with: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: (Not Available)
My take: Helped Team USA win goal in the World Juniors last January. Cool.
Luke Moffatt - 7th round, 197th overall
Position: Center
From: California, USA
Wears: #7
Playing with: Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
Hockey's Future Talent Analysis: Does all the little things right and the puck seems to find him. Strong on puck, especially given his average size. Has offensive skills, may just need some more confidence to really shine.
My take: He's another project - but what do you expect with in the 7th round? Good luck at Ann Arbor, Luke!
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Written by Sean Payton
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Thursday, 17 June 2010 19:44 |
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"Hensick has no future with this team. Hopefully, Sherman will trade him soon."
- Anyone But Detroit - 10/31/2009
Kudos to Sherman for getting something for Hensick. Had July 1st come, TJ would have almost assuredly walked as a free agent - both sides know that there has to be a much better fit for him some other NHL club than the young forward rich Colorado Avalanche. The Avs would have received no compensation had he signed somewhere else.
The good news is that there is a glimmer of hope that Julian Talbot, the player we got from St. Louis for Hensick, could turn out to be a decent 3rd or 4th liner at somewhere down the line. From Hockey's Future:
Talbot is not flashy, but his offensive play continues to get better and he is defensively sound. Talbot never takes a night off and if St. Louis doesn't give him a chance in the NHL, some team will.
Talbot, seen somewhere in this picture (supposedly)
I don't know about you, but I'm all about bringing in a young player into the system who is "defensively sound" and "never takes a night off" for a player that clearly no longer had a future with the team.
Also - the Avs resigned forwards Philippe Dupuis and Kevin Porter and defenseman Ray Macias. I've got no problem with these signing but I hope we don't see these guys in Avs uniforms next year (after preseason). They are all borderline AHL / NHL players at best and should only see action when injuries are heavy. |
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Written by Sean Payton
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Thursday, 03 June 2010 20:20 |
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Avs Re-sign Budaj and Koci: That title would have made a great April Fools Day post a couple of months ago.
My immediate reaction to the news:
"????????????
Wow. Did someone let Giguere back in the GM's office? Oh, wait. It's not a joke? Fuck. What's next - we re-sign Clark and Salei?!"
Ok - Budaj I can kind of understand - Sacco will actually have to play him more than 12 games; Sacco won't have the Olympics break to use as an excuse to over play Andy. I'd like a more proven backup (see Leighton, Michael) and I know I'm not alone there, but Budaj has proven he can be a very effective goalie for multiple games, at least when he is on. It's not what I prefer, but its not a disaster.
But Koci? David "I won the ABD Tyler Arnason award" Koci?? David "I'll give you a lackluster my best 2 minutes a night" Koci??? David "A very poor man's Derek Boogaard" Koci???? What????!!!
Why Sherman Why?!!!
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Written by Sean Payton
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Friday, 21 May 2010 06:58 |
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Anyone But Detroit breaking news: the Colorado Rockies are close to signing former Colorado Avalanche legend Joe Sakic. Sakic wowed Rockies pitching scouts with his opening pitch performance on May 16th. His steely leadership guided the Rockies to a 2-1 victory.
I emailed baseball-nerd blogger Keith Olbermann and he believes the Rockies are interested in Sakic for two reasons. "Sakic's brought home two world championships and a gold medal - he's obviously a winner and leader - and that will translate to the baseball field, no question. Anyway, their bullpin has pretty much hit rock bottom, so any addition can only make it better."
When asked if the transition will be tough, Sakic laughed. "No - the toughest part will be to convince 'Spilly' (Ryan Spilborghs) to give up #19. There's no contact in this sport - heck, they don't even play if its raining. Piece of cake."
Pitching coach Bob Apodaca admitted there are a few things to work out with Sakic's pitching. "He has to work on his velocity and location - so we're working around the clock to get him ready. He has great wrists, though. The best I've ever seen."
Good luck, Joe! |
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Written by Sean Payton
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Tuesday, 18 May 2010 20:34 |
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One of the weekly articles I link is “Rumor Roundup” from The Hockey News. It’s a good way to catch up on the latest rumors, with a nice amount BS detection via Lyle “Spector” Richardson.
The latest article caught my eye - not only because it suggested that all world center Evgeni Malkin may be shopped by Penguins GM Ray Shero, but because Richardson didn’t immediately debunk the rumor.
A more realistic scenario would be peddling him for a couple of scoring wingers, as suggested by the Journal when it proposed a dream trade involving Oilers wingers Ales Hemsky, Dustin Penner and possibly Andrew Cogliano.
I have to say that its pretty laughable that Pens would move a Conn Smythe winner for Hemsky, Penner and Cogliano. Have you seen the rabid fans that are the thepensblog.com? They would storm Shero’s house with pitchforks and torches… well, at least gasoline, matches and bags of dog poop.
Anyway, here is the deal I would try to pull off if my name was Greg “no, I’m not in Glass” Sherman.
Colorado gets:
Malkin
Pittsburgh gets:
Stastny
and
Pick: Stewart, Mueller
And
Pick: Yip, Jones
Yes, I’m aware that all of those Avs players are good and it would be tough to see them leave. The Avs package would have to be good in order to make the deal, no question. Remember, the Avs would still keep two of those players, (probably Mueller, given his inconsistency, and Jones, given his injury history) and still have Hejduk, Galiardi and (hopefully) Stoa to play on the top lines Duchene and Malkin.
The move would signal that this team is very serious about winning immediately - not in a year or two. As long as the Avs had a healthy combo of Matty and Geno, you’d have to believe a top 4 Western Conference finish would be all but guaranteed for years to come.
The most prohibitive part of this trade would be Stastny’s contract - if the Pens move Malkin, the main driver is will be the team's lack of cap space. The Stastny / Malkin swap only saves the Pens 3.1M in cap space a year, which is only good for one more semi-quality player - you’d have to think that chances are Shero could find a similar deal somewhere else that could open up more cap space.
The only other realistic option is to send Duchene for Malkin instead of Stastny... and that’s a deal that would be tougher to swallow - maybe something like…
Colorado gets:
Malkin
Pittsburgh gets:
Duchene
and
Pick: Stewart, Mueller
…and I’m not sure I can make that trade - simply because I’m much less sure that a combo of Malkin and Stastny would bring a dynasty with it, so how can I justify moving Duchene?
What do you think, Avs fans? Would you make either of these deals?
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Written by Sean Payton
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Friday, 14 May 2010 06:56 |
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The Colorado Avalanche "Fact" for yesterday, per my desk calendar:
For those of you without eagle eyes, it reads: "On October 7, 2007 Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche recorded a career-high five points (one goal and four assists) and Milan Hejduk scored twice and added an assist in 6-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center."
I don't know what's sadder - the editing dept at Turner Licensing or that I remembered who the Avs actually played in that game. |
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