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Wednesday, October 6, 1999
Pumped by new blood
Young Avalanche ready to contribute
"It's a different scenario for us," goaltender Patrick Roy told The Rocky Mountain News this week, before the Avs began defence of their NHL Northwest Division title last night in Nashville against the Predators. "It's a chance for the young guys to step in and show what they have."
Colorado general manager Pierre Lacroix had a long-range plan to phase in some youth, such as the pack of picks the Avs used in the early rounds of the 1998 draft. But things accelerated this summer when the Avs let free agents Theo Fleury, Valeri Kamensky and Sylvain Lefebvre get to greener pastures in New York.
Shoulder surgery to regular-season and playoff scoring leader Peter Forsberg complicated matters. Forsberg won't be back until Christmas carols are resounding through the Rockies.
So, the Avs head into Toronto tonight -- the second of five road games before the new $180-million Pepsi Center opens in Denver -- with young faces dotting the top lines.
Alex Tanguay, head of the 1998 draft class, is on 40-goal centre Joe Sakic's wing.
Chris Drury, last year's Calder Trophy winner, and Calder finalist Milan Hejduk may join a line with Shean Donovan, 24. Big Chris Dingman, a near-forgotten part of the Fleury trade with Calgary, is on a plumbing unit with Dan Hinote, a Florida-born former U.S. army cadet.
Teenager Martin Skoula, 19, is trying to break in on the blue line and though Roy needs lots of work to get 35 wins to tie Terry Sawchuk's NHL career record of 447, star-in-waiting Marc Denis also must get some action.
"It's new blood, fresh air," coach Bob Hartley said.
"And with the quality of veterans we have (Shjon Podein also is out of the lineup with a knee injury) they will help the young kids get adjusted to the NHL level.
"You look at every dynasty team. They always make moves with older players at the end. You have some growing pains, but that's part of life."
The Avs have not forgotten their preference for size from their successful run at the 1996 Stanley Cup. Dingman, Donovan and defenceman Sami Helenius are skyscrapers and Hinote is a battler.
"We have high expectations," Hartley said. "We managed to keep the core players on this team and we feel real good about the young prospects."
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