Last Chance Saloon: Nikita Zadorov

This isn’t a witch hunt, nor is this me bagging out one of the Avs’ players. But from a roster standpoint, Nikita Zadorov may need to put in the playoffs (playoffs pending) of a lifetime in order to save his Salo. This wonderful new-found depth that the Avalanche have is great. For the beloved Big Z, however, this means time in the burgundy and blue may be running out. Yet, a huge playoff could change that.

Felling Tall Timber To Clear A Log Jam… Huh?

When you talk about assets and asset management in hockey, it’s often in regard to what assets you possess, what that asset is worth and how you keep it. Ryan O’Reilly was an asset, a good one too. But his time had come. At the time. the assessment was that Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko and J.T Compher were good “assets” for O’Reilly. Both Compher and Zadorov have been good pieces, though Grigorenko was a bust. But this isn’t about Compher or Mikhail, it’s about Nikita.