What's the deal with Sopel?

"Chris" <noone RemoveThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
news:9v7lf39lv9q2so2vkrvepsp1ovj67sj2cv@4ax.com...

> Post 24. A year and a half ago, Thomas and I were arguing about this
> very subject, and at that time I said Hannan was one of the very best.
> So, my tune hasn't changed one iota here.

I wasn't referring to you. When you overrate a player it's because he's
physical. When Tom overrates a player, it's because they are an Av.

E.
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

Chris wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:56:25 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden RemoveThis @home.com>
> wrote:
>
>> "Thomas" <noneman RemoveThis @none.man> wrote in message
>> news:KsqdnWm19tD_-GjbnZ2dnUVZ_uzinZ2d@wideopenwest.com...
>>> HockeyinHD wrote:
>>>> "Chris" <noone RemoveThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:bh8af3hr4999h16k72ei06maa77ejknsmj@4ax.com...
>>>>> On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:28:22 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden RemoveThis @home.com>
>>>>>> There are two problems with that question, from your perspective.
>>>>> I simply asked for the list.
>>>> Why would you ask for a list you wouldn't expect Hannan to be on? If you
>>>> do expect him to be on it, and I've just mentioned he's not, why would
>>>> you need the whole list?
>>>>
>>>>> You are welcome to post your top 20 as well. I'd love to see it.
>>>> To what end? If Hannan's not on it...
>>> Quit dodging.
>> Dodging what, a stupid question?
>>
>>> Yes. Clearly. And I am the biggest Chelios slappy here.
>>>
>>> What's your point?
>> That limiting a discussion to defensive defensemen in an attempt to
>> gerrymander a discussion of a guy is pretty goofy for starters, aside from
>> the usual Avs overrating that goes on with the switch of a jersey.
>
> If you're referring to me, you're off base. I've been jumping up and
> down about Hannan's free agency for over a year (I suspect since
> you've been gone from the group for a long time, you missed it), and
> posted any number of times that he should be the Avs' #1 priority this
> offseason.

I can vouch for that. I mocked him for it then and mock him for it now.
Not because I ever thought he was wrong, not that I didn't want Hannan,
but rather because he's always going on about him.

I was just about shitting my pants when I found out we got him AND Smyth
the same day. I can only imagine the scene at Chris' place.

-Thomas
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

>> If you're referring to me, you're off base. I've been jumping up and
>> down about Hannan's free agency for over a year (I suspect since
>> you've been gone from the group for a long time, you missed it), and
>> posted any number of times that he should be the Avs' #1 priority this
>> offseason.
>
>I can vouch for that. I mocked him for it then and mock him for it now.
>Not because I ever thought he was wrong, not that I didn't want Hannan,
>but rather because he's always going on about him.
>
>I was just about shitting my pants when I found out we got him AND Smyth
>the same day. I can only imagine the scene at Chris' place.

Dogs and cats living together, total hysteria. :-)

In truth, I wasn't overly thrilled with the Smyth signing at first, as
I felt the Avs had a similar player (albeit not as good) in Brunette -
not very fast, big, good at cycling the puck, great around the net.
Smyth is better defensively. I understood the need for a big,
physical forward, but wanted one who had some speed down the wing,
etc. After a bit of time though, I warmed to this quite quickly.
(One note on this, however: It looks like Q is going to start the
season with Smyth and Brunette flanking Sakic, and I don't like that
line. Those two will slow Sakic down too much. I'd break up Smyth
and Brunette (don't care which stays) and put one of them down a
line).

The Hannan signing sent me to full mast immediately.

I would have liked the Avs to sign a defensively solid 3rd line center
who is good at faceoffs rather than re-sign Arnason, too.

But overall, this has been a really good offseason.

Chris


P.S. The Avs should sign Scott Hannan this offseason!
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

"Chris" <noone.RemoveThis@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:t8alf3dnj5itj5166f9s1180fuqt11kv15@4ax.com...
>
> The Hannan signing sent me to full mast immediately.
>

OK, first Eric and the Osgood doll. Now this? Sorry, but this is a visual
I could have lived without.

;)
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:30:22 -0600, "BobInBoulder"
<binb DeleteThis @noneofyourbusiness.com> wrote:

>
>"Chris" <noone DeleteThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
>news:t8alf3dnj5itj5166f9s1180fuqt11kv15@4ax.com...
>>
>> The Hannan signing sent me to full mast immediately.
>>
>
>OK, first Eric and the Osgood doll. Now this? Sorry, but this is a visual
>I could have lived without.

Whoawhoawhoa. I haven't touched that damn thing in years. Last I
heard, Walk had it in his basement someplace.

Though this might explain what Eric has been doing with his time over
the past year... :-)

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

"Chris" <noone RemoveThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
news:t8alf3dnj5itj5166f9s1180fuqt11kv15@4ax.com...

> But overall, this has been a really good offseason.

Probably the best offseason for the Avs in three years.

HD.
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:52:53 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden.TakeThisOut@home.com>
wrote:

>
>"Chris" <noone.TakeThisOut@goaway.com> wrote in message
>news:t8alf3dnj5itj5166f9s1180fuqt11kv15@4ax.com...
>
>> But overall, this has been a really good offseason.
>
>Probably the best offseason for the Avs in three years.

Well, after watching the team get worse each year, it's nice to see
them get better.

I'm seriously not concerned about too many aspects of the team. They
improved an already-potent offense, added Hannan and a hopefully
healthy Leopold on defense, which represents one huge upgrade, and one
solid one. They'll have 3 lines that can score, two that can cycle
very well, a good mix of offensive and defensive defensemen, and
3rd/4th line guys who are good penalty killers.

I think there is weakness in the faceoff circle, and the big question
is the goaltending. A big deal to have as the big question, I'll
grant you. That, and can Leopold stay healthy?

Barring any major injury to any major player, I think it comes down to
this:

If the Avs have the mediocre goaltending they've had for the majority
of the past couple of years, they're going to be a 95ish point team
again, and somplace in the 7-9 spot in the West.

If they have solid, consistent goaltending, they'll be a 105ish point
team and win that NW division outright.

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

Chris wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:52:53 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden.TakeThisOut@home.com>
> wrote:
>
>> "Chris" <noone.TakeThisOut@goaway.com> wrote in message
>> news:t8alf3dnj5itj5166f9s1180fuqt11kv15@4ax.com...
>>
>>> But overall, this has been a really good offseason.
>> Probably the best offseason for the Avs in three years.
>
> Well, after watching the team get worse each year, it's nice to see
> them get better.
>
> I'm seriously not concerned about too many aspects of the team. They
> improved an already-potent offense, added Hannan and a hopefully
> healthy Leopold on defense, which represents one huge upgrade, and one
> solid one. They'll have 3 lines that can score, two that can cycle
> very well, a good mix of offensive and defensive defensemen, and
> 3rd/4th line guys who are good penalty killers.
>
> I think there is weakness in the faceoff circle, and the big question
> is the goaltending. A big deal to have as the big question, I'll
> grant you. That, and can Leopold stay healthy?
>
> Barring any major injury to any major player, I think it comes down to
> this:
>
> If the Avs have the mediocre goaltending they've had for the majority
> of the past couple of years, they're going to be a 95ish point team
> again, and somplace in the 7-9 spot in the West.
>
> If they have solid, consistent goaltending, they'll be a 105ish point
> team and win that NW division outright.

If they get the Budaj they had the second half of last year, or if
JoeTed regains form, there are no questions in net. If they get the
rock-solid Budaj or JoeTed regains form, then they are a 105pt team and
legit Cup contender easily. If it's the first-half Budaj, then you're
looking at a 6 or 7 seed.

Now, would you rather have that, or the Wings' tandem? Hasek has to
remain healthy for the Wings to have even a snowball's chance in hell at
winning anything at all this year.

Personally, I am a hell of a lot more comfortable with Budaj and JoeTed
(two starters, one who was lights out down the stretch last year and one
with a Vezina under his belt) than I would be with an aging and fragile
Hasek and a completely useless Osgood.

-Thomas
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

>> If the Avs have the mediocre goaltending they've had for the majority
>> of the past couple of years, they're going to be a 95ish point team
>> again, and somplace in the 7-9 spot in the West.
>>
>> If they have solid, consistent goaltending, they'll be a 105ish point
>> team and win that NW division outright.
>
>If they get the Budaj they had the second half of last year, or if
>JoeTed regains form, there are no questions in net. If they get the
>rock-solid Budaj or JoeTed regains form, then they are a 105pt team and
>legit Cup contender easily. If it's the first-half Budaj, then you're
>looking at a 6 or 7 seed.

Either way, I don't see them being top 3 in the conference in points,
due to the competitiveness of the division.

If we count OT Losses as actual losses, the Central is likely to have
one team significantly over .500 (Detroit) and one slightly so
(Nashville). The Pacific will have 3 (2 way over, 1 slightly over),
and the NW will have 4 significantly over .500, IMO. But, even so,
these numbers will be beat down a bit, with but one shitty-to-mediocre
team in the division.

Chris
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"Chris" <noone RemoveThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
news:34elf3djp3jhoqctck2qqk19n6bnc0k34d@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:52:53 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden RemoveThis @home.com>
> wrote:

> Barring any major injury to any major player, I think it comes down to
> this:
>
> If the Avs have the mediocre goaltending they've had for the majority
> of the past couple of years, they're going to be a 95ish point team
> again, and somplace in the 7-9 spot in the West.
>
> If they have solid, consistent goaltending, they'll be a 105ish point
> team and win that NW division outright.

A lot of the Avs playoff positioning fortunes rely on two fairly big
x-factors in the NW: Calgary and Edmonton. I've already talked about
Edmonton, but a Keenan-'led' Calgary team seems like a potential for
disaster, especially considering what may possibly become a bit of a
contentious negotiation with Kiprusoff. Obviously, that's good news for
Colorado. On the other hand, when he's just been a coach Keenan hasn't been
as spectacular a failure as he has with his GM duties... so like I said,
it's a question mark.

Speaking about the Avs independant of their division-mates, a whole bunch of
this year depends on Sakic. His season at age 37 was one of the most
amazing things I've ever seen. He's missed one game in three seasons. What
he's done post age 35 is simply astounding. Can he possibly repeat a 100
point campaign again? If he can, Colorado will be in good shape for home
ice in the first round. If he can't it's not out of the question for the
Avs to struggle to make the playoffs again, because I'm with you on the
goaltending situation. Beyond those two questions, I'd also be a bit
concerned about the defensive level of intensity from the forward corps.
Among the top 9 there aren't a lot of players who bring very much on the
defensive side of the ledger. If the idea is to win games 5-4/5-3 that's
less of an issue, but approaching seasons with that strategy may not reap
rewards in the postseason.

The nice thing is once Theodore's horrific contract comes off the books
Colorado will be in a much better position to address their goaltender
issues, although Wolski, Liles, and Brunette will likely deserve raises of
some kind if they are retained.

HD.
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On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:32:07 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden RemoveThis @home.com>
wrote:

>
>"Chris" <noone RemoveThis @goaway.com> wrote in message
>news:34elf3djp3jhoqctck2qqk19n6bnc0k34d@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:52:53 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden RemoveThis @home.com>
>> wrote:
>
>> Barring any major injury to any major player, I think it comes down to
>> this:
>>
>> If the Avs have the mediocre goaltending they've had for the majority
>> of the past couple of years, they're going to be a 95ish point team
>> again, and somplace in the 7-9 spot in the West.
>>
>> If they have solid, consistent goaltending, they'll be a 105ish point
>> team and win that NW division outright.
>
>A lot of the Avs playoff positioning fortunes rely on two fairly big
>x-factors in the NW: Calgary and Edmonton. I've already talked about
>Edmonton, but a Keenan-'led' Calgary team seems like a potential for
>disaster, especially considering what may possibly become a bit of a
>contentious negotiation with Kiprusoff. Obviously, that's good news for
>Colorado. On the other hand, when he's just been a coach Keenan hasn't been
>as spectacular a failure as he has with his GM duties... so like I said,
>it's a question mark.

The thing about Keenan is that he's had some success in short bursts.
But, those were a long time ago. A good observation though.

But, if you look at Calgary on paper, this is a solid team. A few
good defensemen, two good lines, a great goaltender. That team should
have been better than they were last year. Thing is, they made a lot
of offseason moves, but I don't think they got any better.

>Speaking about the Avs independant of their division-mates, a whole bunch of
>this year depends on Sakic. His season at age 37 was one of the most
>amazing things I've ever seen. He's missed one game in three seasons. What
>he's done post age 35 is simply astounding. Can he possibly repeat a 100
>point campaign again? If he can, Colorado will be in good shape for home
>ice in the first round.

Another good point. Sakic's got to come down and act his age at some
point, and when it happens, the Avs will be worse off for it. The
Stastny revelation last year was wonderful in this respect, as he
looks like he's going to be quite a player. And Hensick has had a
great camp and preseason, so we've got a good prospect there at
center, too. But, realistically, who can replace Sakic? We're hoping
for a couple more seasons of nice production out of him.

>If he can't it's not out of the question for the
>Avs to struggle to make the playoffs again, because I'm with you on the
>goaltending situation. Beyond those two questions, I'd also be a bit
>concerned about the defensive level of intensity from the forward corps.
>Among the top 9 there aren't a lot of players who bring very much on the
>defensive side of the ledger. If the idea is to win games 5-4/5-3 that's
>less of an issue, but approaching seasons with that strategy may not reap
>rewards in the postseason.

Defensively, Sakic, Stastny and Smyth are solid defensive players.
Hejduk isn't bad, either. Wolski, Svatos and Arnason aren't very
good. Brunette is average, but slow. One of the reasons I was pining
for a good two-way faceoff guy this offseason.

>The nice thing is once Theodore's horrific contract comes off the books
>Colorado will be in a much better position to address their goaltender
>issues, although Wolski, Liles, and Brunette will likely deserve raises of
>some kind if they are retained.

It wouldn't surprise me to see the Avs let Liles walk. He's going to
command $5M+ next offseason. If Leopold puts up decent offensive
numbers, I think they'll let Liles go. The Avs signed Brett Clark to
an extension, and he's a solid offensive player. Unfortunately, he
plays defense like me.

But, with Theodore's $5M coming off the books, the Avs can address any
of their positions and get a very good player.

Chris
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"Thomas" <noneman RemoveThis @none.man> wrote in message
news:d_mdnesw98SsImfbnZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@wideopenwest.com...

> Personally, I am a hell of a lot more comfortable with Budaj and JoeTed
> (two starters, one who was lights out down the stretch last year and one
> with a Vezina under his belt) than I would be with an aging and fragile
> Hasek and a completely useless Osgood.

:)

HD.
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel? 

"Thomas" <noneman.DeleteThis@none.man> wrote in message
news:KO-dnZ1_17FlOGfbnZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@wideopenwest.com...
> Chris wrote:
>> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:56:25 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden.DeleteThis@home.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> "Thomas" <noneman.DeleteThis@none.man> wrote in message
>>> news:KsqdnWm19tD_-GjbnZ2dnUVZ_uzinZ2d@wideopenwest.com...
>>>> HockeyinHD wrote:
>>>>> "Chris" <noone.DeleteThis@goaway.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:bh8af3hr4999h16k72ei06maa77ejknsmj@4ax.com...
>>>>>> On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:28:22 -0400, "HockeyinHD" <hidden.DeleteThis@home.com>
>>>>>>> There are two problems with that question, from your perspective.
>>>>>> I simply asked for the list.
>>>>> Why would you ask for a list you wouldn't expect Hannan to be on? If
>>>>> you do expect him to be on it, and I've just mentioned he's not, why
>>>>> would you need the whole list?
>>>>>
>>>>>> You are welcome to post your top 20 as well. I'd love to see it.
>>>>> To what end? If Hannan's not on it...
>>>> Quit dodging.
>>> Dodging what, a stupid question?
>>>
>>>> Yes. Clearly. And I am the biggest Chelios slappy here.
>>>>
>>>> What's your point?
>>> That limiting a discussion to defensive defensemen in an attempt to
>>> gerrymander a discussion of a guy is pretty goofy for starters, aside
>>> from the usual Avs overrating that goes on with the switch of a jersey.
>>
>> If you're referring to me, you're off base. I've been jumping up and
>> down about Hannan's free agency for over a year (I suspect since
>> you've been gone from the group for a long time, you missed it), and
>> posted any number of times that he should be the Avs' #1 priority this
>> offseason.
>
> I can vouch for that. I mocked him for it then and mock him for it now.
> Not because I ever thought he was wrong, not that I didn't want Hannan,
> but rather because he's always going on about him.
>
> I was just about shitting my pants when I found out we got him AND Smyth
> the same day. I can only imagine the scene at Chris' place.


You mean that big cum stain he and the family had to clean up?



>
> -Thomas
 >> Stay informed about: What's the deal with Sopel?