Avs Mailbag: Would Cale Makar be better as a forward than a defenseman for Colorado?

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

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

OK. Has it been discussed that the Avs have the league’s WORST practice facility? The ownership has money that is infinite and we’re talking peanuts to construct a new rink. Let alone the impact it might have on childhood hockey in the area. What’s? Must be a huge black mark on Colorado when seeking to sign free agents.

— Glen Yost, Littleton

Absolutely, Glen, the Avs’ practice centre is awful compared to other NHL teams. They are on a lease deal with South Suburban Parks and Rec, which operates Family Sports Center, the Avs’ obsolete Residence, along with the South Suburban Ice Arena farther west on Arapahoe Road. The Avs have long wanted to construct their own practice rink, ideally next door into the Pepsi Center downtown, but, for some reasonthey could ’t pull it off — though they currently possess Elitch Gardens and the property involving the entertainment park and the stadium. A number of years back, Kroenke wanted to construct the practice facility on land it owned in Commerce City, which, notwithstanding being closer to DIA, would be a horrible decision given that many players and workers reside south of Denver along with Commerce City is a commercial town. Listen, I’ve spoken to then-active and past Avs about this issue, and there’s absolutely not any uncertainty: Family Sports is a poor NHL practice facility and some agent taking a look at the Avs along with teams may easily select another team because of it. Seems like ownership doesn’t care about exactly that which it doesn’t own. Check out a NHL practice/game facility in the University of Denver — the newly remodeled center that blows away that which the Avs have farther south on Interstate 25.

What is with all the injuries we’re currently seeing to start this year? I thought we were going to need to pull on vendors to start playing. Pleased to have Philipp Grubauer back in net to us.

— Mitch, Loveland

Just like Grubauer told me Tuesday in Calgaryhe’s not seen numerous injuries with key players in exactly the identical moment. I don’t remember yet another injury bug poor, but hey, the Avs input Thursday’s game in Minnesota 5-1 in their last six games — five with no Mikko Rantanen, Gabe Landeskog, Grubauer and Colin Wilson.

Hi Mike, been viewing photos of what appear to be leaked photos of the 2020 stadium show unis. If you re a fan of them, can would also prefer to find out. Thanks.

— Brandon, Denver

I saw some photos of what looked like an A-framed home my family used to possess at Summit County, and I heard they had been leaked. So if we re speaking about exactly the very same photos, I don’t love them.

Hi MikeI am curious about what constitutes Cale Makar therefore unique. He is just one of a very few quantity of NHL defensemen to own recorded 18 points in 18 games, so obviously I wonder why is he not more of a instead of a defenseman? Why is he better suited for a defenseman vs. a forwards? Is it skating ability? Or that?

— Justin, Parker

Hello Justin, thanks to this question. Makar enjoys having the play in front of himwhere he feels most effective. He likes to make that depart and the zone pass clear and he prefers to make offense and at the front of the net. Lots of people have asked me the identical question about Tyson Barrie. Similar gamers, but I’ll take Makar all day. He’s a special talent who, like Nathan MacKinnon, checks all the boxes when it comes to elite skating, palms, eyesight, shot/pass, competitiveness etc..

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Would the Avs still believe Minnie for their main rival?

— Jack, Hooper

Jack: I understand there so no other group the Avs like see lose compared to Wild. The Avs love watching the Wild struggle these days.

Thank you for the policy Mike. I heard from a friend a residence is at the peak of the Pepsi Center to get Stan Kroenke when he’s town. Is there some truth to that which I have discovered?

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— Jackie, Canon City

YesJackie, the penthouse suite was completed some 5-10 years ago; I really don’t remember. And the penthouse box seating for your Pepsi Center has been completed cutting press-box seating in half and also transferring the press and scouts into the cheap seats at the corner of the end at which the opponent attacks in the first and third periods. I’ve heard that the penthouse box seating isn’t used much for hockey, though at all, but as far as I understand the penthouse suite and penthouse box seats are more significant than the Avs’ practice centre!

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

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