Challenge 15: Colorado Avalanche (Discussion Thread)

Marsac · Post by **Marsac** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:54 pm

Just had a decent game vs the second place team in the East, Canadiens.

Been struggling a bit in the second set of twenty though after I balanced my lines, set them to equal time and turned off line matching. I was ready to go back to the old lines and matchings after this set is done but if I get a few more games like this maybe I won't after all.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:02 pm

71 games into season 2, we clinched our playoff spot. The funny thing is, the # 2 team (Red Wings) is 10 points behind us. The # 3 (Kings) is 18 points behind us. But then # 4 is only 4 points. That's the Flames. If they weren't in our division they'd be #2 in the conference. Wolski has 41 goals so far with 11 games to go. I don't know if he'll be able to match or beat his total of 49 last season. Stastny has 92 points in 68 games (he missed 3 games due to injury this season) and surely won't come close to his career high of 120 points from last season. Still, my overall record is better even if the individual player point totals aren't.

Post by **joehelmer** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:32 pm

In the preview for season 4 I'm ranked in 18th.

I was in the Stanley Cup final in season 3....

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:38 pm

There's still hope for Wolski reaching 50 goals in season 2. He picked up the pace a bit. He's got 46 goals with 6 games left to play. It's going to be a close one!

axwel3221 · Post by **axwel3221** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:41 pm

joehelmer wrote:In the preview for season 4 I'm ranked in 18th.

I was in the Stanley Cup final in season 3....

I once finished 30th overall NHL, but next season I was predicted to win the Cup, took the Presidents, took the Cup, everythings fine.

Círyatan · Post by **Círyatan** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:31 pm

So finally I have finished my second season. I ended up 4th in the Conference, though in points second only to the Canucks. In the playoffs I saw off the Blue Jackets and the Blues (both won in 6 games), only to be swept in 7 by the Sharks in the Conference finals. Guess we'll try next year.

The draft was a hard one, as there was not much talent to choose from. I drafted Derek Hartwick from the Niagara IceDogs as my 1st round pick (23rd overall), he's a promising defender that I hope will have a bright future with the big team. Later rounds were a disappointment though. Let's hope next year it'll be better.

Now into July, maybe something interesting turns up.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:48 am

Even though Anderson was my guy most of the season, I started Josh Harding in the playoffs since his morale was higher. He rewarded me with a five game series win over the Ducks that featured a pair of shutouts and a meager 1.20 GAA.

We weren't so lucky in the Semis against the Kings however. We played them hard, splitting the first two before taking a 3-2 series lead with a 3-2 victory in double OT before LA evened the series with a 3-2 OT win of their own. We took a 2-0 lead into the third period of game seven before Drew Doughty netted a shorty to bring the Kings within one. They managed to tie it up a few minutes later, and Oscar Moller polished off the momentum swing with 54 seconds left to end the series.

Harding ended the playoffs 7-5 with a 2.06 GAA (8.56 AvR) in 12 starts. Stastny and Svatos each had double-digit point totals, while Milan Hejduk only managed as many points as Scottie Upshall (3) while having a team worst -4. He's a free agent this offseason, and at 37 he's probably not worth it. However, Svatos refuses to re-sign (that will teach me to confirm a potential trade rumour) and I may be stuck when it comes to the right wing. Hope Upshall will step up and fill the second line role. Otherwise, I might be able to pick someone up if I decide to trade Anderson, who is fading in my opinion of him.

We'll see what happens. I just offered Hejduk less money and refused to offer an NTC like he wanted to stay one more year since Svatos is being a jerk.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:04 am

Bit the bullet an re-signed Hejduk as a depth player for $2.6mil. Had to give him an NTC, but odds are he wouldn't be the one to go anyway with Hannan and Sarich attracting a lot of attention.

As I mentioned earlier, Svatos is out of here as is Mike Commodore who was just okay in a season and a half with the Avs (99 GP, 1-20-21, +30). Also out are Radek Martinek, David Jones, and Chris Durno. Martinek is going on 37 and was limited to only 59 games during the regular season, only getting consistent time after I traded Shattenkirk at the deadline. Jones (239 GP, 21-35-56, -22 over 3+ seasons in Colorado) and Durno (304 GP, 22-80-102, -12 -- most points came playing with the now-departed Svatos) were depth guys who I didn't feel deserved over a million bucks a season.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:07 am

As a quick footnote...offered a contract to Svatos on 1 July. He wanted four years at $3.1m per.

I offered him the same years and more money last week, and he refused.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:13 pm

Riddle me this, Batman...

How is it that Stastny can win the Art Ross three years straight and STILL not make the top ten centremen in the league?!?!?!

Decided to be quiet in free agency, since I knew I could do very little to improve this team (expected to be Stanley Cup contenders by the board, yet 18th in the preseason rankings) with the budget constraints. Signing Hejduk with an NTC might come back to bite me, especially since Mikhail Anisin (46th overall in 2007) is making progress. Deciding to go with the waiver option, I couldn't pass up Mike Comrie at $1.6m. He'll play third line centre behind Stastny and Duchene and will help greatly (I hope on the PK).

Post by **batdad** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm

Oct 17...So I have the Budaj/O'Reilly for Kronwall/Begin on the table again. On the 18th The Dead Things make Filpulla available. So I offer Budaj/OReilly for Kronwall Filpulla as well. I know they will accept Begin, but not sure about Filpulla.

I really do not want to trade O'Reilly but to get value for Budaj (Kronwall, Suter, or Coburn) I have to put him in. They will not take anyone else. I tried em all.

I really want Kronwall as I have never had him in any game. So I think if they take the Filpulla trade I will do it.

outdooral · Post by **outdooral** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:14 pm

Hi outdooral! No, it's not too late to join the challenge. It runs until January 18th. I suggest you give the rules a good thorough read because all of your questions are answered right in there. Once you've read the rules, if you still need clarification on any points of the rules, you should put your questions in the Challenge Questions and Feedback thread found here...

Thanks, Not sure how I missed the info about affiliates.
So I decided to join in on the fun.Hopefully I'll get 2 seasons in. I am 9&5 after 14 games good for 4th place.
PP is 16.7 ,pretty poor but good for 6th in the league. PK is 89.4% but only good enough for 7th overall.
I seem to be taking a lot of minor penalties and giving up a lot of shots early in games,my goaltending keeps me in until the top line gets a few goals back.

Also seem to be having a problem getting much improvements in practice, not sure what to do there.
Im having fun though and find myself cheering on guys like Macleod and Quincy.

Al

-Fixed your quotes. -CatchUp

outdooral · Post by **outdooral** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:12 pm

Thanks, not only is this my first challange ,its the first time I've really posted to a forum,so wasnt sure how to do it.
I just had an intersting game againts the Kings.My offense came alive (sort of ) 49 shots for but only scored twice for a 2-1 win.Quick went out injured after 37 of them including the 2 goals,their backup blanked me for the final 12

outdooral · Post by **outdooral** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:44 am

Just posted my first stats.let me know if it worked out.

Thanks,

Post by **McQwak** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:27 am

outdooral wrote:Just posted my first stats.let me know if it worked out.

Thanks,

I think it's posted OK. Just missing the challenge number (15) - in upper left corner of recording sheet.

Post by **Manimal** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:05 pm

Aargh, I'm so tired of losing. And I have no patience with my team. I am lousy with tactics and would love to trade away the stiffs. I'm very close to leaving the challenge rules behind and playing on my own.
I have always been a quitter at EHM, much due to my performance anxiety. I tend to forget that it's only a game!

Post by **batdad** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:14 am

Poor Manimal. I cry for you kay? Heh.

So Season 3 first 20 ended. Not that happy. Season 2 I went 16-3-1 and this year start at 16-4-0. Kind of annoying to have one point less. Also Hejduk scored 2 less goals and Stastny only had 2 more assists.

But...MY PP Scored 20 goals in the first segment. That may be a first for my teams in challenges. ever. and my PK in my last 2 segments...End of season 2 and beginning of season 3....gave up A GRAND TOTAL of 4 goals. WOW! WHat the??? With Koci being on one of the units that is silly.

So Budaj trade...

I am happy with Kronwall. Providing some truculence so to speak. In 10 games he has 16 hits. Only 3 points so far, but not really why I added him although it would be nice. He is 7.5 rating which is not bad.

Filpulla was good at start (5 points first 3 games) but since then...nada. HE is down to barely a 6.75 rating and putting him on my PP seems to have messed it up. Since I Tried him on 2nd unit...my PP is now 1/15 in my last 3 games. Out he goes. Just a 3rd line C.

Anderson has a much bigger workload. So far can handle it. Weiman will play pretty much every 4th game, and so far his 8.5 rating is good for me. He is 2-1-0 with a 927 save percent and 2.01 GAA.

(Before I dealt him Budaj had played 2 games, so that is why Weiman only has 3 so far.)

Just kind of meh with this team right now. Save for the amazing PK. Now watch me get lit up.

Funny stat: I have given up 3 shorthanded goals

Oh...SVATOS SUCKS. 0-8-8 in 18 games. -3. 6.7 rating as 2nd line RW...Dude is gonna get moved next season. Hate the little wuss

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:27 pm

Wolski scored his 50th for me finally! It came in the last game of the season but at least it came!

No to head into the playoffs!

Post by **Danny** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:40 pm

Budaj just picked up an injury in the olympics

Stastny is awfully injury prone for me as well, he has missed 20 games this season already due to 3-4 minor injuries.

kuulapaa · Post by **kuulapaa** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:41 am

I just bumped into a little and vee-ry annoying bug. I'm in my season #3 (still struggling) and was playing 13th game of the season against Preds. The game went into overtime and when the 5 minutes of it was played, it went normally in the SO shooters pick screen. I chose my shooters and pushed continue and - ta-daa - it says Preds won on OT in time 63:48 with Scott Niedermayer's shorthanded goal. There even weren't any penalties on the OT, but now I can watch how Weber gets two minutes for cross-checking and how Scotty puts the puck in my net!?! Like it wasn't hard enough without this kind of s**t!!!

(Nearly smashed my laptop...)

Post by **McQwak** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:50 am

bruins72 wrote:Wolski scored his 50th for me finally! It came in the last game of the season but at least it came!

No to head into the playoffs!

Hejduk did it for me in 72nd game. And Svatos scored 45 goals so far (in 68 games) so he has 10 games remaining for him to score 5 goals. I hope he will do it and I'll have two 50+ shooters.

Post by **McQwak** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:22 pm

So Hejduk and Svatos made it! Hejduk scored 56+52 and Svatos 51+42, so two 50+ scorers in 2nd season

They are followed by Stastny with 45 goals and league leading 78 assists, which means he won the Art Ross Trophy with 123 points. Obviously, my tactics isn't much defensive

Now to the playoffs against Canucks (4th vs. 5th seed).

kuulapaa · Post by **kuulapaa** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:33 am

In December 23rd 2008 Helmut Grokenberger resigned from his position as General Manager at Colorado Avalanche. The board of directors announce they supported Grokenberger and in no ways pressured him to leave despite of team's poor success in this season also. This was Grokenberger's third season as GM at Avalanche and team was 13th in Western Conference at this point. "Grokenberger's decision to resign was 100 percent his own and we were very surprised when he told us he would leave", said anonymous representative of the board to Rocky Mountain News.

Helmut Grokenberger sent a brief note explaining his decision to the press:"I am very competitive person and I expect my team to win games. Although working in this team has been the greatest opportunity of my career I saw no other alternatives than to resign because I wasn't able to turn Avalanche to a winning team. I take a short break from hockey now, trying to maybe study some training and tactics and I hope I can get a second shot on top level some day. Thank you all and happy holidays!"

At the point of Grokenberger's resigning the Avalanche roster looks like this:

His most recent acquisition was Josef Vasicek who has played really well as 2nd line LW (9 games, 5G, 5A, +1, 16 PIM, 7.89 AvR). Vasicek came from Senators and with him came also Ryan Keller, a 27-year old RW from Saskatoon, SK. In this trade Ottawa Senators got underperforming prospect C Ryan O'Reilly and RW Brian Willsie, whose low morale was undermining the morale of the whole team.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:28 pm

I haven't even been able to touch my game in about 2 weeks now!

I'm hoping I'll be able to at least wrap up the second season before the deadline.

eternium85 · Post by **eternium85** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:38 pm

So, season 4 is over and I finally won the Stanley Cup and the President's Trophy. I didn't have much difficulties in the playoffs until the final against the Hurricanes. They had solid offensive units and Cam Ward of course. We managed to win the series in game 7, but it was a close one.

And wasn't the 2010 draft a nice one, a whole bunch of those regens who retire at the start of the game. I was aiming for a 1st line RW and I landed Peter Connolly, an American RW who shoots right (yes, he's the Hull regen). I had been eyeing him for the whole season and he was definetly my first choice in the draft but I gave up hope having him when the latest ISS Rankings came and he was ranked 19th. But somehow no one drafted him in the first round so I was very suprised and pleased to have him.
In the 2nd round I had the chance to choose between the Forsberg and Jagr regens. I went with Forsberg this time, although he is injury prone. But I thought that if he doesn't stay healthy enough I can always trade him. And I didn't really have any center prospects that have the potential to succeed.
In the 3rd round I drafted the Chelios regen and in the later rounds I had guys who have the potential to turn into good 3rd or 4th line players. So it was really a good draft as a whole. And if I would have had a little higher pick I could have had even better players in the later rounds.