Colorado Avalanche: Previewing 2016-2017 Season
The Colorado Avalanche are full of hope for the 2016-17 season. Find out how they should do in their #NextEra.
The 2016-2017 season is less than a week away. Excitement and expectations arise for each NHL team. The Colorado Avalanche are embarking on a hopeful season — here is a preview of whats to come.
The Avalanche have performed well this preseason, winning every exhibition game in an impressive fashion. Veterans and rookies looked good in camp. New coach Jared Bedner is embarking on his rookie season. There is plenty to look forward to.
Colorado was quiet on the free agency front this offseason. They did make a few moves, though nothing flashy.
On the other hand, the coaching change did make headlnes when Patrick Roy decided to resign in August. Jared Bedner was hired to replace him.
Avalanche were in the playoff race late last season, only to have it fade away. Every time it looked like they were breaking through, it fell apart or they couldn’t get that big play they needed. They lost eight of their last nine games. This season hopefully has a different ending.
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They will return with mostly the same core. Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon return with flashy offense and blazing speed. Gabriel Landeskog, Tyson Barrie and Erik Johnson look to continue contributing and putting up decent numbers.
If the core can continue to grow and make big strides Then it looks to be a good year. They need to show growth and use the talent they possess. These guys should be able to compete with anyone. There are some more young talent looking to break out.
Goalies Semyon Varlamov and Calvin Pickard are returning to shore up the net. We do know that Varlamov will get the start for the season opener. However, the starting goalie job could well be up for grabs if Pickard continues to make a case of his consistency. Either way, if goal tending is good then that should help Colorado win plenty of games.
I look forward to the new season.Plenty of story lines to look forward to and hopefully a winning season. The Colorado Avalanche look good is preseason is any evidence.