Question from Joe Cerwinske<\/p>\n
With the top 3 seeds in the Central all but locked up already, which of the (by my estimation) 11 potential first-round matchups for the Avs do you see as the most favorable? Conversely, which team would you most hope to avoid of those 11?<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to assume Edmonton isn\u2019t going to fall into a wildcard spot (even though they very much still can). But I\u2019d say the toughest of those remaining potential wildcard teams would be Utah. Simply because they play the Avs well and have for years, dating back to their days as the Arizona Coyotes. They just know how to keep the star-studded offense in check.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a fascinating stat: Colorado has played 23 games at Ball Arena and has scored fewer than three goals only twice. Both of those games were against Utah. It\u2019s a good sign that the Avalanche won both times in regulation, 2-1 in the home opener and 1-0 more recently. It shows this team can win those types of games too.<\/p>\n
As for the most favorable, it\u2019s hard to say. But I do believe the most entertaining would be against the San Jose Sharks.<\/p>\n
Question from Jeffrey Zucker<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve not heard anything on this front. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Malinski and his camp are the ones holding out to see how things shake out over the next few months.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no reason to rush into an extension unless you absolutely want to stay and aren\u2019t interested in entertaining any other options but this. (Which, given how this team looks, wouldn\u2019t be out of the realm of possibilities.)<\/p>\n
Question from Joshua Canfield<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
Nabokov has been much better as of late, but his numbers overall are not as strong as in the previous two seasons. He\u2019s got a .898 save percentage in 26 games, albeit a .927 in his last five starts. He\u2019s also playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, which leads the KHL with a 35-6-4 record. That team can score its way out of a lot of issues.<\/p>\n
As for Gulyayev, I haven\u2019t followed his game as much lately as early in the season. But it seems he\u2019s struggling to find a role with Avangard Omsk, and I don\u2019t see things changing unless he\u2019s playing elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Mac Curran was a pleasant surprise for Czechia at the World Juniors. He\u2019s also having another strong season in the WHL. At just 19 years old, I wonder if the Avs decide to develop him slowly over the next 3-5 years, or if they use him as a trade piece as they did with Will Zellers last year.<\/p>\n
Question from Jeffrey Anderson<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
I think he does. We\u2019re 45+ games into the season already and he\u2019s done nothing to say he\u2019s slowing down or being overplayed. He consistently plays 82 games a year and has done a great job of staying in shape. Even at his age.<\/p>\n
I also think that having Malinski as the third pair right-shot defenseman is a nice security blanket in case you need to cut down on Burns\u2019 minutes later on.<\/p>\n
Oh, and that Cale Makar guy can also play more if needed.<\/p>\n
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