In what is becoming one of our new features, we’re reaching out to the SBN blogs of our opponents on Game Day to get a sense of the match-up from the other side. Today, I posed three questions to the David Driscoll-Carignan, who is the manager over at Mile High Hockey. Without further ado…
1. After a narrow miss on the playoffs last season, are the expectations for this shortened season playoffs-or-bust for Colorado?
DDC: I kind of feel like the lockout has made this a bit of a freebie season in terms of expectations. I think it will be more about seeing if some of the young players like Matt Duchene, Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov can show some development. Of course, that’s what I’m saying in week one. In April, if we’re missing the playoffs I’ll consider this stupid half season a complete bust.
2. How does losing Downie for the season affect the team? Is this a big loss given his ability to change the game with a hit or a timely goal?
DDC: Downie played with a bum shoulder for much of his time after coming over from Tampa last year, so fans were really looking forward to a seeing what he can do when healthy for a full season. I mean half season – thanks, Gary. With his feistiness, He seemed like a great fit to ride shotgun with the Avs young, skilled players. The Avs will miss his physicality. His mullet…not so much.
3. What’s the ceiling for the Landeskog/Duchene/Parenteau combination? Seems like PA is a great player to add to help free up Landeskog to do even more damage.
DDC: I see it as a bit more of the other way around. I think Landeskog is more of the catalyst who can create space for skilled guys like Duchene and Parenteau. Ryan O’Reilly played with Landy last year and he doubled his point total from his previous season. That’s not all Landeskog, but I do feel this can be a very good line.
Our thanks to the David, and be sure to head over to check out their Game Day coverage!