19-20-2, 9th in West
Halfway Report; Avs Exceeding Expectations
Colorado sits 9th in West after 41 games
Peter Mueller has had a solid comeback season, with 19 goals after 41 games.
The Colorado Avalanche sit 9th in the Western Conference after 41 games, something GM Little Jacob wasn't expecting. "It's awesome to see the boys doing great. Experts had us bottom 5 in the league, so it's nice to silence them". 3 players - center Paul Stastny, winger Peter Mueller, and goalie Semyon Varlamov - have been the key cogs in this surprising turnaround. Stastny sits 3rd in NHL scoring with 42 points at the split. Mueller has had a great comeback campaign, with 19 goals, 5th in the League. Varlamov has provided a sterling 17-15-2 record, his 17 wins being 3rd in the NHL. "Paul and Peter are the 2 straws that stir the drink" Jacob said. "Without them, we'd be in ruins. Paul is top 5 in League scoring, and Peter is having a career year after a concussion last season. It's great to see them succeed". Jacob also talked about Varlamov. "Semyon has also had tremendous success. Everyone said our goalies were a huge question mark, but obviously not anymore. Semyon is also young, so this isn't the best we'll see of him". Jacob also touched base on the other members of the team. "Our other guys like Erik Johnson have been solid" he said. "However, it would be nice to see them step up a bit more, then we will be even better". Here are some stats at the halfway mark.
Colorado Avalanche Team Leaders
After 41 Games
Goals
Peter Mueller, RW - 19 (5th in NHL)
Paul Stastny, C - 12
Matt Duchene, C - 12
Ryan O'Reilly, C - 12
David Jones, LW - 11
Assists
Paul Stastny, C - 30 (2nd in NHL)
Peter Mueller, RW - 20
Erik Johnson, D - 16
Matt Duchene, C - 15
Milan Hejduk, RW - 15
Points
Paul Stastny, C - 42 (3rd in NHL)
Peter Mueller, RW - 39
Matt Duchene, C - 27
David Jones, LW - 23
Milan Hejduk, RW - 23
Goalies
Semyon Varlamov: 17-15-2, 2.76 GAA, .905sp%, 3SO
J-S Giguere: 2-5-0, 2.80 GAA, .905sp%, 0SO
Here is an update on the stats of defenceman Mark Fistric, and Dallas Stars winger Steve Downie. Downie was traded to the Dallas Stars on December 2nd for Fistric and a 2nd round pick.
Mark Fistric, D - 16GP, 0G, 5A, 5PTS, -1
Steve Downie, RW - 12GP, 1G, 0A, 1PTS, -6
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25-24-2, 9th in West
All Star Stastny
Forward named to All-Star team
Mark Fistric, D - 16GP, 0G, 5A, 5PTS, -1
Steve Downie, RW - 12GP, 1G, 0A, 1PTS, -6
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25-24-2, 9th in West
All Star Stastny
Forward named to All-Star team
Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny has been named to the Western Conference All Star team for the NHL's All-Star weekend, taking place January 28-29. "We are happy for Paul, and wish him well on that weekend" said GM Little Jacob. Stastny has 15 goals and 48 points through 51 games.
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31-28-5, 9th in West
Trade Deadline 2012
Snoozefest Sees Just 4 Deals Go Down; Avs Fail To Acquire Coburn
The Colorado Avalanche were rumored to be interested in Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn.
31-28-5, 9th in West
Trade Deadline 2012
Snoozefest Sees Just 4 Deals Go Down; Avs Fail To Acquire Coburn
The Colorado Avalanche were rumored to be interested in Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn.
It's a day many people cancel work and school to watch. The trade deadline, which is the last day of wheeling and dealing for the NHL season, failed miserably to deliver this year, with just 4 deals going down. The biggest name to move was defenceman Jamie McBain. The Colorado Avalanche were rumored to be interested in Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Braydon Coburn. However, no deal went down. The Avs did make one trade, sending center Mark Olver, as well as their 2012 3rd and 6th round picks to the Chicago Blackhawks, with youngsters Nick Leddy and Brandon Pirri coming to Denver. Here is a summary of the day's events.
10 AM: No trades.
11 AM: No trades.
12 PM: Montreal Canadiens acquire defenceman Jamie McBain from the Carolina Hurricanes for defencemen Nathan Beaulieu and Yannick Weber.
New Jersey Devils acquire a 2013 2nd round pick (LA) from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Matt Taormina and a 2012 2nd round pick (NJ).
Tampa Bay Lightning acquire left winger Daniel Paille and center Greg Campbell from the Boston Bruins for right winger Ryan Shannon, defenceman Mike Kostka, and a 2012 4th round pick (TB).
1 PM: Colorado Avalanche acquire defenceman Nick Leddy and center Brandon Pirri from the Chicago Blackhawks for center Mark Olver and 2012 3rd and 6th round picks (Both COL).
2 PM: No trades.
"Overall, we are happy with the day's events" Colorado GM Little Jacob said. "We added a solid young defender in Nick Leddy, who will step into our lineup right away". Here are Colorado's lines following the deadline.
Forwards
Milan Hejduk - Paul Stastny - Peter Mueller
David Jones - Matt Duchene - Gabriel Landeskog
Chuck Kobasew - Ryan O'Reilly - Jamie McGinn
Cody McLeod - Jay McClement - Kevin Porter
Defencemen
Jan Hejda - Erik Johnson
Mark Fistric - Ryan Wilson
Shane O'Brien - Nick Leddy
EX. - Ryan O'Byrne
Goalies
Semyon Varlamov
J-S Giguere
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40-34-7, 9th in West
Avs Officially Eliminated From Playoffs
With 1 game remaining, Avs no longer in playoff race
The Colorado Avalanche were officially eliminated from a playoff berth, with a loss on Tuesday. "It sucks, to be in contention all season, then fall off at the very end" said center Paul Stastny. "But I'm so proud of the boys. We were picked to be bottom 5 in the league. Look at us now". GM Little Jacob also weighed in. "I'm so proud. This team exceeded everybody's expectations. I couldn't be happier". The Avs close out their season in Nashville, facing the Predators.
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Final Record: 40-35-7, 11th in West
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche End Of Season Report
Final Record: 40-35-7, 11th in West
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche End Of Season Report
The Colorado Avalanche's 2011-2012 season came to a close today, with a 6-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. The Avs finished with a 40-35-7 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. "I am impressed with the season" GM Little Jacob said. "It's just disappointing to come so close to the playoffs, and miss. There's always next year, and I can't wait for it to come". Here are some end of year stats.
Goals
Peter Mueller, RW - 32
Gabriel Landeskog, RW (rookie) - 28
Matt Duchene, C - 23
Paul Stastny, C - 21
Milan Hejduk, LW - 20
Assists
Paul Stastny, C - 56 (4th in NHL)
Peter Mueller, RW - 35
Matt Duchene, C - 33
Erik Johnson, D - 28
Milan Hejduk, LW - 27
Points
Paul Stastny, C - 82GP 21G 56A 77PTS
Peter Mueller, RW - 82GP 32G 35A 67PTS
Matt Duchene, C - 82GP 23G 33A 56PTS
Milan Hejduk, LW - 82GP 20G 27A 47PTS
Gabriel Landeskog, RW - 82GP 28G 15A 43PTS
David Jones, LW - 82GP 15G 23A 38PTS
Ryan O'Reilly, C - 77GP 20G 15A 35PTS
Erik Johnson, D - 70GP 3G 28A 31PTS
Jan Hejda, D - 82GP 2G 25A 27PTS
Jamie McGinn, RW - 82GP 6G 17A 23PTS
Goalies
Semyon Varlamov: 36-29-6, 2.51 GAA, .912SP%, 7SO
J-S Giguere: 4-6-1, 3.02 GAA, .895SP%, 0SO
Here is the playoff tree for each Conference.
Eastern Conference
1. Montreal Canadiens vs. 8. Washington Capitals
2. Florida Panthers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres
3. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 6. Boston Bruins
4. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8. Vancouver Canucks
2. Calgary Flames vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings
3. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes
4. Los Angeles Kings vs. 5. St. Louis Blues
Jacob Says: Panthers vs. Blackhawks Final, Hawks in 6.
Offseason Report coming later.