September 29, 2009 · 7:34 AM
↓ Jump to Comments

Avalanche Blogger Roundtable Day 9

The Avalanche Blogger Roundtable is on day 9, and its Hockeyism’s turn. After you’re done here, be sure to check out my partner in roundtable crime today, Shane over at Avalanche Talk.

But first, Hockeyism hosts the following question:

“What are your realistic expectations for the Avs on this beastly seven-game road trip that comes just two games into the season (Oct. 8-21)?”


Mike @ MHH

3-4 with wins against Nashville, Toronto, and Minny. Horrible losses to the Red Wings and Bruins where people will start questioning their fanhood.

Jay Vean

That seven game road trip that begins three games into the season includes, in this order: Preds, Hawks, Bruins, Leafs, Canadiens, Wings, and Wild. The Avs are home for back to back Friday and Saturday night games against the Canes and Wings and then they hit the road again for four more in a row versus the Oil, Flames, Sharks, and Canucks. 11of the first 15 games on the road. You can’t win the division early in the season, but you can dig a pretty big hole to work out of. Out of those 11 games I would be pleased with at least five wins. Bottom line, we’ll learn a lot about this team early in the season.

Grant (ME!)

Jay makes a great point. With only a two game home break, this road trip is much longer than seven games. The eleven games the Avs must play on the road, they will be tired. Dead tired. I wouldn’t expect much life from this team on the back half of either of the trips. Expect 5 wins on the road, coming from the Predators, Blackhawks, Leafs, Oilers, and Flames.

David Driscoll-Carignan

I don’t know about expectations, but I do know that those first 10 games or so are going to tell us a LOT about what’s in store for us the rest of the way.

Sean Payton

I say the Avs go 2 – 5. On paper, the most winnable games look to be in Nashville and Toronto, but it’s conceivable that they can better that with quality goaltending performances and a whole bunch of hard work. Every season, “good teams” get beat by “not so good teams” when those “good teams” think they can at skate around at half speed and sail to an easy victory. Here is hoping Detroit puts it in cruise control on Oct 17th.

Matt Jordan

Interesting question, but I think the Avs could realistically go 3-4. The Preds, Leafs and Wild are not exactly teams I will have in the playoffs this season. There is a possible win in Montreal. I’d love to go 7-0 on the road trip, but we’re going to play one team that I have going to the Cup Finals this year…

Thanks to all the respondents for taking the time to answer. Agree? Disagree? Leave your answer in the comments.

Don’t miss day 10 tomorrow over at Mile High Hockey!

5 Comments

Filed under News

Tagged as

  • http://jibblescribbits.blogspot.com/ Jibblescribbits

    You know, with such a young team, I really expect the Avs to struggle on the road trip.

    But I think that will be good for them. If they struggle there will be absolutely no pretext of success this season. There will be no pressure on anyone, save a few players that need to have a big season (Wolski, Jones, Anderson etc). But as a team there will be no expectations and all the young players will be able to develop, and Sacco will be able to develop as a coach, without too much scrutiny.

  • http://twitter.com/jqcolorado James

    The Av's goal needs to be a .500 record on the road. That is only 20 games they need to win. At home we need to be tough customers. Every year the coach, no matter who it is, says “we need to be tough to play, blah blah blah.” The crap thing is, he's right. Yes we are projected as 13th in the Western Conference and last again in the Northwest Division. The positive thing to concentrate on, is this: has anyone really looked at the Northwest division? In the past it has always been the toughest division but this year it looks bleak and dismal. Edmonton and Minnesota are both on rebuilding years with even less talent. We need to concentrate on the Canuks and Flames. The Canuks have very little to offer other than the Sedin twins and Luongo. I say screw them both. The Flames, I think, is the team to beat in our division. I'm gonna call it now and say that the team that wins our division will have LESS than 90 points. If we win 20 games on the road, 40 points, that leaves a record of about 22-25 wins at home. It can be done. It will be done. The Av's in the playoffs this season.

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention Avalanche Blogger Roundtable Day 9 | Hockeyism -- Topsy.com

  • http://jibblescribbits.blogspot.com/ Jibblescribbits

    You know, with such a young team, I really expect the Avs to struggle on the road trip.

    But I think that will be good for them. If they struggle there will be absolutely no pretext of success this season. There will be no pressure on anyone, save a few players that need to have a big season (Wolski, Jones, Anderson etc). But as a team there will be no expectations and all the young players will be able to develop, and Sacco will be able to develop as a coach, without too much scrutiny.

  • http://twitter.com/jqcolorado James

    The Av's goal needs to be a .500 record on the road. That is only 20 games they need to win. At home we need to be tough customers. Every year the coach, no matter who it is, says “we need to be tough to play, blah blah blah.” The crap thing is, he's right. Yes we are projected as 13th in the Western Conference and last again in the Northwest Division. The positive thing to concentrate on, is this: has anyone really looked at the Northwest division? In the past it has always been the toughest division but this year it looks bleak and dismal. Edmonton and Minnesota are both on rebuilding years with even less talent. We need to concentrate on the Canuks and Flames. The Canuks have very little to offer other than the Sedin twins and Luongo. I say screw them both. The Flames, I think, is the team to beat in our division. I'm gonna call it now and say that the team that wins our division will have LESS than 90 points. If we win 20 games on the road, 40 points, that leaves a record of about 22-25 wins at home. It can be done. It will be done. The Av's in the playoffs this season.