The year 2009-2010 was the year of the forward for the Colorado Avalanche.
Formerly a group where top minutes were given to veterans like Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth, the Avalanche had almost 100 percent turnovers from the 2008-2009 season. Adding rookies such as Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, T.J. Galiardi, and Brandon Yip to the roster, as well as a late season trade for Peter Mueller, paid dividends to what was the NHL's 30th ranked offense in 2008-2009, as they leapfrogged to sixth.
The defense was another story.
While youngsters Kyle Cumiskey and Ryan Wilson made progress in their first crack at a full time spot in the NHL, the largely veteran group was one of the worst defenses in the league.
Too old, too slow, and too indecisive with the puck were common theme's of the season for Colorado. They allowed the sixth most shots in the league (second most of the 16 playoff teams). The group was equally as pitiful in the offensive zone, as the Avalanche were one of only five teams that got neither 10 goals nor 40 points from a single defenseman.
Now 2010-2011 will look to reverse those trends.
Though they added no ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by James Crider
Colorado Avalanche: Kevin Shattenkirk Primed To Rejuvenate Defense
July 13th, 2010 by James Crider Leave a reply »
Advertisement