Is Grubauer the answer in net, or time to trade?
Q: The Avs’ offense is a well-oiled machine. I am concerned about our goaltending issues going forward. Is Philipp Grubauer the answer? Or are there other options out available?
— Trevor, Denver
Mike: Trevor, as I’ve written and said in podcasts, Grubauer needs to perform in the next two weeks to keep his name out of the trade rumors.
The deadline is approaching and, barring injuries, a major goaltending addition is the only major move I think this team will make.
The New York Rangers are still carrying three goalies — including two young prospects — so perhaps Henrik Lundqvist will come on the market if they decide to go with the young guys. Lundqvist has a nomovement clause, so he would have to waive that to be traded to a desirable team. His contract goes through next season. But if Grubauer continues to win games in the coming weeks, the Avs will probably not make a move in net.
Q: With Minnesota seemingly out of the playoff hunt, would the Avs have any interest in goaltender Devan Dubnyk before the trade deadline?
— Jack, Hooper
Mike: Perhaps, Jack. Like Lundqvist, Dubnyk is under contract through next season. But I don’t see that as much of an improvement, if at all. And I don’t see Central Division rivals making a deal unless both really believe in it, and like I said, Dubnyk isn’t any better than Grubauer (although he is much bigger in net).
Q: I’m loving the Avs’ offseason moves from last year. Joonas Donskoi, Andre Burakovsky and Nazem Kadri have been huge additions for us — we finally have a capable offense beyond the MGM line. What was it about joining the Avs that pushed these three to the next level?
—Conor, Parker
Mike: Well, all three were good players for their previous teams, especially Kadri in Toronto. Credit GM Joe Sakic and his staff for solving the depth scoring issue by adding these guys, in addition to Valeri
Nichushkin and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The Avs now have a deep forward corps.
Q: The Avs just keep winning. What are your predictions for the remainder of this season? Can they really make a Stanley Cup run with the current roster?
— Jeb, Westminster
Mike: Las Vegas thinks so (laughing)! Sure, this is a Cup-contending team. But there are a lot of major hurdles to get over until you’re actually playing for the Cup. Goaltending has to be tremendous in the playoffs. But the Avs certainly have the forwards and defensemen to make a big run.
Q: No question. Just wanted to let you and other Avalanche fans know that I switched over the DirecTV and love watching my Avs and Nuggets again.
— Jeff, Aurora
I’m sure Comcast/Dish is losing a lot of folks like you. This dispute is hard to understand because the only side that’s winning is DirecTV. Altitude, Comcast/Dish and the fans (who don’t know how to stream) are losing out big-time.