One of the subtle reasons for Matt Duchene's success this season is because of a guy named Paul Stastny.  Stastny is easily one of the most underrated players in all of the NHL. He continues to have nearly a point per game pace and is rarely listed as a super star.  He currently has 54 points in 59 games, and his last outing produced three points in one game.

Stastny benefited from playing his rookie season second in line to Sakic who served as buffer for him to develop in skill and talent.  Sakic was always looked to as a mentor for young players as well and gave them a good example to follow early in their careers.

Now the age of Sakic officially ended on opening night.  The Avs were predicted to be in the bottom of the standings and in the race for the number one pick.  However, this young team has grown up together and will only get better in seasons to come if Sherman can keep this great core of players together.

Matt Duchene was able to develop and watch Stastny in much the same way that Stastny was able to watch Sakic and develop accordingly.  Stastny was able to provide a buffer that Duchene needed to start producing the numbers that he is now.  Duchene is a lights out talent and as he continues to develop will produce points and goals in droves.  At minimum he is a consistent 30 goal guy, and at maximum he can produce 50 goals a season.

Thanks for the consistent play Paul, and taking the pressure off Duchene, you are earning your keep.

In The Pipe:

Tonight Phoenix, and then LA.  Both tough games but two wins heading into the Olympic break would be huge.

The Avs have been a very streaky/hot/cold team as of late.  Hopefully the break will allow many players to get some much deserved rest as well as time to heal the many bumps and bruises that come with a hard NHL season.

Trade Watch:

The Avs sat quiet on the "first" deadline day of the season and likely will remain that way for the most part throughout the deadline.  Sherman is sticking to his rebuilding for the long haul plan and that is huge.

Liles isn't fielding much in the way of offers when he is riding the bench with two years left on his contract.  Don't expect him to be traded this season or bought out.  I expect he has been enjoying the nightlife a little too much and therefore sometimes becoming a distraction to the rest of the team.  When he plays as well as he did for a few games back and then gets benched, it has to be off ice habits.  if that is the case, a trade is even less likely.

Clark will be traded at the deadline.  He won't get us much in the way of a return other than cap space.

Cheechoo is on waivers?  Is he a fit?

Rebuild Notes:

Darcy Tucker has been doing Duchene a favor and allowing him to live at his house.  This is no small thing, and is a very important role to play for the health of the team.  If Tucker is willing to take a pay cut and stay on, knowing full well that he may occasionally sit on the bench because of his speed, I say we resign him.  He hasn't put up huge numbers by any means, but has shown this season that he is a character guy, who is a team player.  His numbers aren't great by any stretch but character like that is hard to find.

Brett Clark is likely gone after this season as well as Salei.  Salei needs to do well in the Olympics and needs a new team come deadline time.  His career is now entering it's last few years because he is proving more fragile, so sadly there may not be any takers or people looking to sign him this summer.

Foote and Hannan play the mentor role on the backend.  If Hannan will take a slight pay cut to make room for more young defenseman to move up I highly recommend we extend him for 2 more seasons.  Foote could get one more year, but it will likely be a hard transition time as his career is fading due to the overall speed of this team.  His character, like Tucker's is worth having around for Shattenkirk, Gaunce, Elliot, and Cohen.  We have a load of defensive prospects who will need mentoring.  Look for Foote to be a part of the Avs organization for a long time, possibly as a coach.

Written by :

Scott Reekers