Colorado Avalanche: Saying Goodbye to the 2014-15 Season
It’s time to say goodbye, Avs Nation. Not to Mile High Sticking — we’re not going anywhere, and we’re going to have plenty of coverage in the up-coming weeks and months. However, it’s time to say goodbye to the Colorado Avalanche’s 2014-15 season.
No, this season was not what any of us wanted, least of all the players and coaches. Yes, the Pepsi Center is going to be empty of playoff action for the first time in its history . (Though, like Alex Tanguay, I don’t care about what the Denver Nuggets are or are not doing, no offense.) Yes, so many players were injured — including my personal favorite, Erik Johnson. Yes, we’re disappointed.
Yet there were bright spots to this season. This post is going to preview some of the highlights we’ll look at more in-depth during the off-season.
Erik Johnson’s All Star Nomination
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson has been named to the NHL All Star team. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson was on his way to having a career year. Even in the midst of the team’s darkest moments — he didn’t play past January 21, and that was just when the Avs were starting to find their footing — Johnson was putting up great offensive numbers and remaining solid on defense. He had been working to solidify his play for so long.
And he was finally rewarded, after all his years of hard work and regular disappointments, with what he deserved — a nomination to the All Star Weekend. He had been the Avalanche’s best player to that point — head coach Patrick Roy said it. He was playing the big minutes against the big lines and performing beautifully.
The skating that is one aspect of his style that I especially admire even got some recognition as he was anointed “Condor” by color analyst Peter McNab in the game against the Ottawa Senators.
Johnson couldn’t attend the All Star Weekend because of his knee surgery, but the nomination is the thing. He was the best. He had a career year. And it was so good to watch.
Nathan MacKinnon‘s Hat Trick
Feb 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) (center) reacts to his hat trick goal in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Center Nathan MacKinnon had a rough season after having won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year last season. By the end, he was broken, bleeding and homeless. (Broken foot, broken nose and landlord Max Talbot traded to Boston — all in one week.)
However, just prior to that he had a career game — he recorded his first NHL hat trick. He scored the hattie at home on February 22, 2014, against the Tampa Bay Lightning. And, oh, the cascade of hats!
One of my favorites from that night, MacKinnon’s later quote”
“I asked [O’Reilly] if the puck was already going in. He said he didn’t know, but I tipped it anyway.”
I just love the youthful exuberance of that quote.
Gabriel Landeskog‘s Captaincy
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has turned into the type of power forward coach Roy wants to see. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Color analyst Peter McNab remarked before the beginning of the season that this would be the first real season of Gabriel Landeskog’s captaincy. He pointed out that, not only was he only 19 his first season as captain, but it was the lockout shortened year. The next season was the Olympics, and that was an atypical year. This year we’d see what’s what.
Boy, did we ever, and every bit of it delights me. It was a year of adversity, including for Landeskog. He suffered that goal-scoring drought that lasted all of December. Yet what emerged from that adversity was a power captain we can have proud to be ours.
When Landy couldn’t score, he hit and he fought. He may not be critical in the locker room, but he’s certainly been supportive — and honest — with the media. I suspect it’s the same in the locker room. Apparently he’s even become head coach Patrick Roy’s right hand man when it comes to team temperature.
And once Landy started scoring… Boy, it reminded all of us of why he was the Calder Trophy winner his rookie year and an Olympian last year.
Matt Duchene‘s Full Season
Mar 23, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Knock on wood, but this is Matt Duchene’s first season that he didn’t miss a single game. (I’m going to assume he’s not missing tonight.)
Matt Duchene also played his game. That drove me crazy at time, I admit it, because his game seemed a microcosm of the Avs scoring woes. He likes to play it fancy. He likes to pass. He likes to stick handle. He likes to spin-o-rama.
I’ve got to say, there’s very little in hockey that’s prettier than Matt Duchene playing his game:
Patrick Roy’s Determination
Read the Gospel according to Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
It’s no secret that I’m a disciple of the Cult of Patrick Roy. In fact, I not only drink the Kool-Aid, I mix it up and serve it to the masses.
Patrick Roy has earned my respect. He did it as a goalie, and he’s done it as a coach. I love his determination — and his belief in his players. He has said he’ll live and die with his players and that he genuinely loves his group of guys. I fully believe him.
Roy is part of the main reason I believe so strongly the Avs are going to be great next season. The man is highly intelligent, vastly experienced in hockey and obsessed with the sport. He will find the way to steer the ship toward success — no question that he’s capable.
Believe in Roy.
Tyson Barrie‘s Breakout Season
Dec 29, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
I admit I had my doubts about offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie. Before this season, my thought process was that, he was mostly untried. He’d had half of a good season and not much else.
Good thing I’m not in charge of Colorado Avalanche personnel. Best leave it to the experts, Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic. Because Tyson Barrie most certainly panned out. He’s a speedy little guy with a nose for scoring, and he’s done it 12 times for the Avalanche. He’s also earned a team-leading 40 assists. He is one of six 50-point scorers on the Avalanche.
In fact, let’s explore that for a moment.
50-Point Scorers
The Colorado Avalanche became the only NHL team this season to have six different players earn 50 points or more:
- Gabriel Landeskog (58)
- Jarome Iginla (57)
- Ryan O’Reilly (55)
- Alex Tanguay (54)
- Matt Duchene (54)
- Tyson Barrie (52)
When I first heard that statistic, I questioned what it meant. After all, the Avalanche’s scoring woes this season are well known. How could they be the only NHL team with six 50+ points-earners and be non-playoff bound?
Well, I can’t answer that part. However, I can answer what it means — the Avs aren’t going to stay frustrated in scoring. Two of the players who could have been on that list very easily — Nathan MacKinnon and Erik Johnson — spent a significant part of the season on injured reserve.
Imagine when it’s the five forwards above scoring 60+ points and Johnson and Barrie hitting the 50-point mark. That is not only possible next season, it’s likely. The Avs are built to score, and they’ve got it figured out now.
So, I got to ask — is it September yet? I can’t wait for the new season of the Avs New Age to start. Until then, farewell to the 2014-15 season.
Stick with Mile High Sticking through the playoffs, draft, free agency and summer for continuing Colorado Avalanche coverage!