Chasing Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin could join 700-goal club against Avalanche

Alex Ovechkin will face the Avalanche on Thursday night needing two aims to become the eighth part of their NHL’s 700 club. But because of his age, that landmark goes past hockey and places the Washington Capitals superstar on par with the best professional athletes of all time. The Capitals’ media relations team duly suggests
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Chambers: Democracy ruled in taking the Taylor Hall pass

It appears the Avalanche took a pass Taylor Hall in a joint conclusion that included the team’s players. From the days leading up to Hall’s trade last week to the Arizona Coyotes for draft picks and prospects, then the Avs were considered that the front-runners to acquire the 2018 Hart Trophy winner along with pending
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Chambers: Avalanche has dumped “trial by fire” with forwards, aiming high with veteran depth over young prospects

Logan O’Connor played five games for the Avalanche last season in a time he could have been a senior and team captain at the University of Denver. The right-shot, slick-skating forwards opted to forgo his last year of NCAA eligibility to sign a max NHL free-agent entry-level contract with expectations of enjoying hockey’s maximal level.
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Avalanche legend Adam Foote’s second son, Nolan, might be another NHL first-round draft pick

Another Foote could find his way back into your Pepsi Center, and if nothing else, Nolan Foote appears destined to play in the NHL building where his father’s jersey is now retired. Draft-eligible Nolan is the cutest of celebrated Av Adam Foote’two sons, however distinct than his dad and older brother, Cal Foote — that
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Avalanche GM Joe Sakic discusses Nathan MacKinnon injury, Mikko Rantanen contract, Jared Bednar extension and more

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic held a season-ending news conference Tuesday, less than a week after his team lost Game 7 of a Western Conference semifinal playoff series to the San Jose Sharks. Sakic — Star center Nathan MacKinnon will not require shoulder surgery after suffering the injury early in Game 7. “Just rest,” Sakic
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Avalanche looks to sign Cale Makar immediately after NCAA championship game

CALGARY, Alberta — The Avalanche will attempt to signal University of Massachusetts sophomore defenseman Cale Makar immediately after Saturday’s NCAA championship game in Buffalo, the group said, but it’s unknown if the 2019 Hobey Baker Award winner will make his NHL debut in Game 3 against the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center. Makar, 20,
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Chambers: Coloradoan Brad Watson, NHL referee, retires with honors

Coloradoan Brad Watson called it a career Saturday, concluding a 23-year stint as an NHL referee before family and friends at the Pepsi Center. I feel fortunate to have been among those friends. A scratch golfer, good hockey player, and terrific story-teller, Watson hand-picked his 1,393rd and last NHL game — choosing his adopted hometown
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Avalanche hosts the Chicago Blackhawks in referee Brad Watson’s swan song

NHL referee Brad Watson has lived a charmed life, but one he’s ready to leave. The longtime Highlands Ranch resident from Regina, Saskatchewan, is saying goodbye to hockey’s premier stage Saturday when he works his final NHL game at the Pepsi Center. Watson, 57, is retiring from a 22-year NHL career following the Avalanche hosts
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Avalanche’s OT curse continues with 4-3 loss despite late goal from new addition Brassard

Derick Brassard, acquired from the Florida Panthers before Monday’s 1 p.m. trade deadline, helped the Avalanche earn a point against the Panthers on Monday night in a strange 12 hours for the veteran forward. Brassard, 31, awoke at his Denver resort for a member of the Panthers. But he had been pulled off the ice
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What’s wrong with the Avalanche? Joe Sakic says it’s not coaching. “We can turn this thing around”

Less than 15 minutes later meeting with reporters Tuesday night in the Pepsi Center, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic witnessed a prime example of why his team entered its game against the Columbus Blue Jackets having won an NHL-low five games since Dec. 7. Exercising from the puck — the term for playing defense in
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