Which teams will benefit most from long break?
Q; As we approach the possibility of continuing the NHL season, I’d love to see some analysis of which teams benefited the most from this extended break. And maybe teams that may suffer from it. I really like to think my Avalanche will benefit greatly from the break with how many injuries they suffered before the break, and the fact they started the season pretty hot suggests that they COULD start back up with a hot streak. Other teams that got hot late in the season may suffer the opposite effect. But I want to hear from the experts what they think!
— Jacob Applegate,
Mike: The Avs definitely benefited — if the season resumes with a 24-team playoff. Nothing is for sure right now. Just probable that we’ll see hockey this summer. If that’s the case, Nathan MacKinnon will miss one game instead of “weeks” worth. And Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri, Matt Calvert and Philipp Grubauer will come off injured reserve. As for other teams that benefited, Columbus has to be in there. The Jackets get Seth Jones back after the Denver youth legend was pegged to miss much of April. Outside of injuries, Chicago and Montreal benefit big-time. The Blackhawks were six points out of a playoff spot March 12 and the Canadians were 10 back. Yet, they now both have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Q; The Avalanche were pretty banged up when the season came to a halt. Some teams definitely benefited from the stoppage of play. How has the period helped the Avs and just how healthy will they be heading into the playoffs?
— Steven Lovenguth,
Mike: I see I’m getting a lot of the same questions. But, indeed, Colin Wilson could be in the picture, too. He’s played just nine games this season before undergoing major surgery. I’d have to look through my buried notes to find out what exactly Wilson’s injury was, but he disclosed that to me Feb. 14, a day before that miserable outdoor game at the Air Force Academy. Wilson wasn’t allowed to participate in the family skate at Falcon Stadium. But he looked healthy and I remember him saying he was optimistic to return for the playoffs. So, absolutely, the Avs could be 100 percent healthy if/when training camp begins next month.
Also, remember that the Avs probably didn’t want any stoppage. They were playing well at the time of the pause, even without all the key players.
Q: Hey Mike, thanks for keeping us up to date on the NHL’s plans for a “restart.” In all the articles/reports I’ve read or listened to, the cities mentioned most for the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs venues are Las Vegas, St. Paul and Edmonton. I know there was a laundry list of reasons and requirements for selecting the playoff cities so can you detail the criteria? Las Vegas is a no-brainer, but the other two, why? And was Denver and Pepsi Center never a consideration?
— Dan Rish,
Mike: Dan, Edmonton is high on the list because it’s a big new building with a practice rink — lots of practice rinks in the area. And they have the hotels and the Canadian dollar is around 40% less than the USD. I’m also hearing Las Vegas is the other favorite. As for Denver, I don’t know if the city pitched itself. Maybe it wouldn’t have been considered because there aren’t any other downtown rinks.