Avs Mailbag: Fans have eyes set on Stanley Cup Finals run, Altitude Sports dispute and more

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to queries at the Avs Mailbag every week during the regular season.

Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.

Hey Mike, how eager are you with this season? Wanted to see if it’s too premature to be discussing this team going into the and dare I saythe Stanley Cup Finals!

— Bill, Colorado Springs

Well, Bill, it’s a long season and the Avs aren’t interested in speaking playoffs till they clinch a place. However, am I thrilled about what ought to be a season? Yes, I’d instead cover a winning team than what we had during the catastrophic year old. A great deal of parts need to come together for a Cup run which ’s all TBD.

Should Avs fans be concerned about losing a crucial piece in the Seattle expansion draft? Which players do you think that they will shield and which will they risk losing?

— Ryan Brisse, Castle Rock

Nah, Avs fans should not be concerned about what their team can’t control. The teams will eliminate a player. I guess the Avs could lose Tyson Jost. But perhaps they request Erik Johnson to waive his no-trade clause, not shield him so that they could shield a younger player (Johnson, 31, can earn $6 million for the subsequent 3 decades and probably won’t be considered a construction bit for Seattle). All teams can choose to shield seven forward, three D and a goalie or eight skaters (F/D) plus a goalie. I guess that the Avs will go the former but it’s too early to imagine who those players would be, besides the obvious.

Hi MikeI am happy hockey is back. Together with the Altitude dispute still going on I am missing my Avs. What’s the easiest method for me to catch games? Thanks.

— Emily, Englewood

Now, the perfect approach will be to attend the games. You can always attempt to change to a provider that still conveys Altitude, of that there are a couple of.

I was very polluted when (former GM Greg) Sherman exchanged (Kevin) Shattenkirk and (Chris) Stewart for (Erik) Johnson, but years later with Shattenkirk with a rough past couple of years and today he’therefore being bought out from the Rangers and Johnson still going strong with no existing shoulder injury, it appears like the Avs came out ahead in the industry.

— Mark Krempasky, Superior

That transaction looks better than it did when Shattenkirk was actually great with the Blues, Mark. Thank you for your question.

Saw a survey about the Avalanche webpage about who has the brighter future. The Nuggets or even the Avs? Would love your thoughts. Thanks.

— Al, Denver

Al, I really don’t follow with the Nuggets for the NBA, so I must abstain from that vote, but, you knowthe Avs sure look great .

Hey Mike, no remark here. Just laughed hard when I see that billionaire Stan Kroenke stated “We’re the men ” in the TV dispute. When do we expect a deal to be performed, any updates from the people?

— Josh, Centennial

Yes, my colleague Mark Kiszla certain collected an intriguing quote there. I chuckled. I don’t have some updates but it’s very unlucky that my friends at Altitude might view their jobs eliminated or changed due to the dispute.

Please rank the top leagues in the world after, naturally, that the NHL.

AHL, KHL, Swedish Elite League, ECHL, the CHL’s Western, Ontario or Quebec Major Junior leagues, NCAA, Finish and Czech leagues and others?

— Paul McDonald, New York, NY

Paul, the AHL is your clear-cut No. two but after that, I’d go with Sweden. I truly don’t know about the KHL, Czech, etc. . comment on the others. Hard to compare with the CHL’s method into the NCAA because they work for different kinds of players. The CHL is 20-under while the NCAA is largely 20-over.

Wanted to see if the Avs will host some watch parties in the home and away games since we could t see this team because of the TV contract dispute.

— Mike, Castle Rock

Pretty sure you are able to catch the Avs on Altitude at the Pepsi Center’s pub — that the Blue Sky Grill or whatever name it’s shifted into (there are many). I’m not entirely sure about that but we receive the feed in the press box, media space, etc., so I’m assuming it’s accessible throughout the construction.

What happened to Mike Haynes?

— Bruce, Aurora

Pretty tight-lipped with that, Bruce. I don’t know.

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to queries at the Avs Mailbag every week during the regular season.

Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.