I want the Avs

[Doggy 130]

Let's compare the seven Avs forwards to their most comparable Detroit counterpart.

Forsberg v. Datsyuk. Playmaking two way center, also capable of scoring some goals. Edge: Detroit

Sakic v. Zetterberg. Two-way center with a wicked shot and strong passing skills. Edge: Detroit

Stastny v. Filppula. Young all-around center. Edge: Colorado

Smyth v. Holmstrom. Garbage goal and deflection expert, PP specialist. Edge: Detroit

Hejduk v. Cleary. Small, quick, goal scoring winger. Edge: Detroit

Brunette v. Samuelsson. Big winger with good hands who probably should score more goals than he does. Edge: Colorado

Wolski v. Hudler. Young, promising scorer with loads of talent who has gotten inconsistent ice time this season. Edge: Even.

I'll even add one more.

Arnason v. Franzen. Youngish, two-way winger capable of amazing hot streaks or unbelievable cold streaks offensively. Edge: Detroit

Totally not concerned about a supposed 'advantage' the Avs have at forward. Detroit is clearly at very least on par with Colorado in the top 8. And after that, it's Guite/Laperriere/McLeod/Jones vs Draper/McCarty/Drake/Helm or Maltby, which favors Detroit greatly.

No offense brother, but this post is a shocker.

It's way off - and pointless even if it was accurate.

It's just not that black and white. C'mon mate. You're better than that. Lol.

[Shaman 713]

Anyone forget that #1 Foppa is a glass doll? #2 Theodore is great at being good today and being minor league back up bad the next? #3 Sakic isnt the same Sakic as ten years ago? #4 their two kids have no playoff experience and were almost non factors in rd 1? #5 Symth has never produced against detroit (Career vs. DET GP:41 G:11 A:10 P:21 +/-:-17)?

I am not worried... Wings in 5

[betterREDthandead 58]

Anyone forget that #1 Foppa is a glass doll? #2 Theodore is great at being good today and being minor league back up bad the next? #3 Sakic isnt the same Sakic as ten years ago? #4 their two kids have no playoff experience and were almost non factors in rd 1? #5 Symth has never produced against detroit (Career vs. DET GP:41 G:11 A:10 P:21 +/-:-17)?

I am not worried... Wings in 5

Actually.....Sakic is the exact same Sakic as 10 years ago.

2007-08: 44 points in 40 games.

1997-98: 63 points in 64 games.

2006-07: 100 points in 82 games.

1996-97: 74 points in 65 games.

His offense hasn't slowed down the tiniest bit.

[Doggy 130]

Actually.....Sakic is the exact same Sakic as 10 years ago.

2007-08: 44 points in 40 games.

1997-98: 63 points in 64 games.

2006-07: 100 points in 82 games.

1996-97: 74 points in 65 games.

His offense hasn't slowed down the tiniest bit.

This is true. Sakic continues to amaze me. He's a freak there's no doubt. It's pretty hard to criticise him.

[Shaman 713]

Actually.....Sakic is the exact same Sakic as 10 years ago.

2007-08: 44 points in 40 games.

1997-98: 63 points in 64 games.

2006-07: 100 points in 82 games.

1996-97: 74 points in 65 games.

His offense hasn't slowed down the tiniest bit.

Offensively last year was a good year, but he just isnt the same durable player. Hes lost his defensive ability too (Note 98-02 he he was a good defensive forward he was +40 one year, this year -4). Again he was good offensive player, but he like other great centers was better for his 2 way play not just his offensive numbers.

PS It was 40 pts in 44 games not the other way around. 13 goals and 27 Assists, please math isnt that hard to check.

Edited April 24, 2008 by Shaman464

[VM1138 1,921]

It's going to be a good series, and I'm not giong to get cocky, especially about Theodore. He could step it up a notch, or he could be overhyped.

Sakic and Forsberg are the biggest threats. Detroit doesn't seem to have a problem with too many defenses, and as long as they keep shooting it will go in. Not to mentino if Stuart, Kronwall, Chelios, and Lidstrom keep playing perfectly, and Rafalski has a slightly better series (which I'm sure he will), Sakic and Forsberg might be the only ones scoring. And last time I checked you can't win with only two of your players scoring.

So, no cockiness here, but I'm confident, that even if this goes to 7 games (and after Nashville I'm prepared to accept ANY series going the distance), Wings will pull these out. Too bad I get to miss the first two because of work (will have to tune in on the radio), but I'll be watching the away games!

[betterREDthandead 58]

PS It was 40 pts in 44 games not the other way around. 13 goals and 27 Assists, please math isnt that hard to check.

Whoa! Got me! Golly gee whiz, you sure pulled a fast one on me. You must be so proud, finding typos like that. Now, care to explain why 4 points makes all the difference?

Also requiring explanation: How the "durable" Sakic missed 17 games in 96-97 (lacerated calf), 18 games in 97-98 (knee injury), 22 games in 99-00. Why, if he's lost his durability, he played all 164 games from 2005 to 2007, yet missed 66 games - nearly a full season - between 1996 and 2000.

Further: Why this defensive superstar has never won a Selke, and why his career +/- is a whopping +36. That's not even +2 per season his whole career. A -4 is about par for the course.

In fact, the durable, fearsome two-way player you claim existed 10 years ago missed 18 games, and was even on the year, neither plus nor minus. The durable, two-way star you claim existed 11 years ago missed 17 games and was -10. Minus 10!

Joe Sakic is the same model of consistency he's been since 1988. I'm certainly glad it's not up to you to decide matchups on him. He's still by far the best player the Avs have.

[Shaman 713]

Whoa! Got me! Golly gee whiz, you sure pulled a fast one on me. You must be so proud, finding typos like that. Now, care to explain why 4 points makes all the difference?

Also requiring explanation: How the "durable" Sakic missed 17 games in 96-97 (lacerated calf), 18 games in 97-98 (knee injury), 22 games in 99-00. Why, if he's lost his durability, he played all 164 games from 2005 to 2007, yet missed 66 games - nearly a full season - between 1996 and 2000.

Further: Why this defensive superstar has never won a Selke, and why his career +/- is a whopping +36. That's not even +2 per season his whole career. A -4 is about par for the course.

In fact, the durable, fearsome two-way player you claim existed 10 years ago missed 18 games, and was even on the year, neither plus nor minus. The durable, two-way star you claim existed 11 years ago missed 17 games and was -10. Minus 10!

Joe Sakic is the same model of consistency he's been since 1988. I'm certainly glad it's not up to you to decide matchups on him. He's still by far the best player the Avs have.

Best player? Too bad hes 30 points under their best offensive player who is also +21, and had a better point per game then Sakic, best player my foot. Now I am not saying Sakic should be written off, but, he is on the downside of his career, hes peaked, get over it, how can you even argue that hes not? Now is he still dangerous? Yes hes still a good leader and can still produce, but my point is still valid that hes not the same player as 10 years ago when he was the power house of the team.

Edited April 24, 2008 by Shaman464

[23TheDuke 0]

Best player? Too bad hes 30 points under their best offensive player who is also +21, and had a better point per game then Sakic, best player my foot. Now I am not saying Sakic should be written off, but, he is on the downside of his career, hes peaked, get over it, how can you even argue that hes not? Now is he still dangerous? Yes hes still a good leader and can still produce, but my point is still valid that hes not the same player as 10 years ago when he was the power house of the team.

He is not as good as he once was, but he is still the best clutch player ever to play the game. After having 100 pts last year, who knows how much he would have produced this season if he was not injured. I will take Sakic now over anyone on the wings. Sakic has proved that during big games and big moments he is clutch.

[Shaman 713]

He is not as good as he once was, but he is still the best clutch player ever to play the game. After having 100 pts last year, who knows how much he would have produced this season if he was not injured. I will take Sakic now over anyone on the wings. Sakic has proved that during big games and big moments he is clutch.

Over Lids? Zetterberg? Dats? wow...

[23TheDuke 0]

Over Lids? Zetterberg? Dats? wow...

Over any FW yes. "lids" is one of the best D ever. Stats dont mean anything in the playoffs. Production in big time situations do. Sakic produces time after time... what have zetterberg and dats ever proved?

[PapaFunk 0]

This is going to be a good series...and anyone here talking smack about Sakic not being the great he was is absurd. In the past month, he scored 2 game tying goals in the last minute of the third period to send the Avs into OT in which they won both games. He got the game winning goal in OT in game 1 of the Quarter Final Series. He lead the Avs in points in the Quarter Finals against the Wild...So yeah, he owns.

[Shaman 713]

This is going to be a good series...and anyone here talking smack about Sakic not being the great he was is absurd. In the past month, he scored 2 game tying goals in the last minute of the third period to send the Avs into OT in which they won both games. He got the game winning goal in OT in game 1 of the Quarter Final Series. He lead the Avs in points in the Quarter Finals against the Wild...So yeah, he owns.

I never said he wasnt a great player, im just saying hes past his prime...

[PapaFunk 0]

I never said he wasnt a great player, im just saying hes past his prime...

Age wise I would have to agree with you...and his speed has slowed down a little bit...but his leadership on and off the ice, his defensive awareness and his clutch performance has never been better.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

I will say this. Their group of forwards is better overall than our group of forwards. They have Sakic, Forsberg, Stastny, Smyth, Hejduk, Brunette, Wolski. They don't have any questions about secondary scoring like we have. Our defense is better than theirs, but against Nashville our defense got outscored by Nashville's, which has to change.

The good thing for us is that Joel Quenneville has never had any success against us, we own the Pepsi Center, and we have owned their team in recent memory. Also, they don't have the type of big, physical team that the Wings usually struggle against. I think we'll take this series in 4 games, because we're just plain better than they are with our system and structure.

I disagree. Wolski had a horrible year. Stastny was not very good vs. the Wild. Forsberg cannot skate anymore because of his ankles - what I mean by that is he is way slowed down - BUT he does still possess outstanding puck handling skills - which is his best weapon at this point. Hejduk has never been scary imo. Brunette is playing well and Sakic is, well Sakic. Seriously though I think our forwards can match up with them any day. If you gave me Sakic/Forsberg in their prime of course I'd take them over Dats/Z but not today.

The only reason their D is even respectable is because they picked up Foote and Salei at the deadline. It drops off fast after that. Kurt Sauer? I'm not trembling (not that they should be scared of Lilja or Lebda).

The factor that worries me most about the Avs is - because they have lost more of the their skill game the past few years (OK they are trying to get it back with Floppa et al I know) they have gone to some more goonish tactics - I'm afraid they will try to hit our guys with the intent to injure - has kind of been their way this season with several teams.

[23TheDuke 0]

I disagree. Wolski had a horrible year. Stastny was not very good vs. the Wild. Forsberg cannot skate anymore because of his ankles - what I mean by that is he is way slowed down - BUT he does still possess outstanding puck handling skills - which is his best weapon at this point. Hejduk has never been scary imo. Brunette is playing well and Sakic is, well Sakic. Seriously though I think our forwards can match up with them any day. If you gave me Sakic/Forsberg in their prime of course I'd take them over Dats/Z but not today.

The only reason their D is even respectable is because they picked up Foote and Salei at the deadline. It drops off fast after that. Kurt Sauer? I'm not trembling (not that they should be scared of Lilja or Lebda).

The factor that worries me most about the Avs is - because they have lost more of the their skill game the past few years (OK they are trying to get it back with Floppa et al I know) they have gone to some more goonish tactics - I'm afraid they will try to hit our guys with the intent to injure - has kind of been their way this season with several teams.

Im not sure what kind of "goonish" tactics you are talking about. How about an example?

You dont think that downey running Laperierre twice in the same game is "goonish"? That is more "goonish" than anything the Avs have done this year.

I guess it is obvious that the Avs are goonish, being that when the wild tried to goon it up, the Avs went crazy and gave them cheap shots all over the ice!, Right?

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

I don't really see the Avs as that goonish of a team. I would've been more worried about that in a series with the Flames. Maybe if they dress Parker when he's healthy. Lappy does some borderline stuff, and I will always hate Foote, but I'd say the Wings are even in that dept.

[Shaman 713]

The Avs arent as scary as calgary because they arent going to put the body on us like Cal or Nash or SJ.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Best player? Too bad hes 30 points under their best offensive player who is also +21, and had a better point per game then Sakic, best player my foot. Now I am not saying Sakic should be written off, but, he is on the downside of his career, hes peaked, get over it, how can you even argue that hes not? Now is he still dangerous? Yes hes still a good leader and can still produce, but my point is still valid that hes not the same player as 10 years ago when he was the power house of the team.

Bweh heh heh. If you think Paul Stastny - that's "1-goal-no-assists-in-6 games-and-minus-2-against-Minnesota Paul Stastny" - is the guy to focus on, I'm really glad you don't coach.

Pop quiz time: Who led the Avalanche in scoring in the first round with 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points? Answer: Joe Sakic. Who scored the OT winner in Game 1? Joe Sakic.

I've shown you tons of proof he's producing at exactly the same level he did ten years ago. What proof do you have he's declining? Any? Bring some out if you've got some. All you have is that he's 38 years old. I bet you don't think that that's slowed down Lidstrom any.

[PapaFunk 0]

I disagree. Wolski had a horrible year. Stastny was not very good vs. the Wild. Forsberg cannot skate anymore because of his ankles - what I mean by that is he is way slowed down - BUT he does still possess outstanding puck handling skills - which is his best weapon at this point. Hejduk has never been scary imo. Brunette is playing well and Sakic is, well Sakic. Seriously though I think our forwards can match up with them any day. If you gave me Sakic/Forsberg in their prime of course I'd take them over Dats/Z but not today.

The only reason their D is even respectable is because they picked up Foote and Salei at the deadline. It drops off fast after that. Kurt Sauer? I'm not trembling (not that they should be scared of Lilja or Lebda).

The factor that worries me most about the Avs is - because they have lost more of the their skill game the past few years (OK they are trying to get it back with Floppa et al I know) they have gone to some more goonish tactics - I'm afraid they will try to hit our guys with the intent to injure - has kind of been their way this season with several teams.

You need to back up what you say with some actual evidence or support. Forsberg cannot skate anymore? Where did you get that, did you see him skating circles around the wild, Hejduk never been scary??? What? He is one of the best Snipers in the league. And goonish tactics???? Try actually knowing something about a team before you pretend you know anythingg about them.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Im not sure what kind of "goonish" tactics you are talking about. How about an example?

You don't think that downey running Laperierre twice in the same game is "goonish"? That is more "goonish" than anything the Avs have done this year.

I guess it is obvious that the Avs are goonish, being that when the wild tried to goon it up, the Avs went crazy and gave them cheap shots all over the ice!, Right?

I watch most of their games - and go to quite a few - they are far more 'rough and tumble' than they have been in the past. LaPerriere is a cheap shot artist much of the time - he's the kind of guy you love to have on your team - but despise on the opposition. I'm not just talking about the hit on Nick (which i was angry about but didn't flame him for - that's his game). Downey running Lappy as you describe it was BECAUSE of the hit on Nick. Their homers here on the radio think they should run Dats and Z because they are soft (yeah it's not the team it's the dumb analysts i know) but at the same time they want all hands off their "Stars". Double standard. I think they will try something cheap - I hope not and I very sorry to say that - but with that idiot Granato on the bench stirring things up - I wouldn't doubt it.