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Post by Matt-Colorado on Jul 22, 2017 16:59:44 GMT -5
July 22, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Despite trying to trade up, the draft has been, and will likely continue to be a pointless event for the Colorado Pioneers and their fans. To make up for it, Colorado has been working the phones and bringing established players to a Colorado squad that is suddenly formidable. I caught Colorado owner/gm Matt Taylor away from the draft tables (why be there anyway) chatting about 'who knows what' with fellow GMs. Taylor was available for a few direct questions and answers:
What was the goal at the onset of the draft?
We were working several different avenues at the same time; no details, but we were very close to a top 3 pick -- in the end smarter heads prevailed. We walked away from several deals that felt like steps backward that wouldve brought us a prospect we liked or gotten us into the first.
Radulov for Pietro, How'd that happen?
Eventually we realized it was going to cost more than we wanted to move to trade up, so we quietly started shopping Alexander around to bring a defender. We let him know and he gave us the ok to shop him to the other 30 teams. While we have learned our lesson in trading ELCs for older players, Pietrangelo's contract ending in 2022 was very appealing. It was obvious we'd have to add to Radulov, so we had no choice but to include our best prospect; Kyle Wood. It was an expensive trade, and the contract is restrictive, but Pietangelo is a bonafide elite #1 two way defender, something we have haven't had in Denver yet.
You just added Beauchemin, that's not excessive?
This trade developed quickly. We sent some feelers out that we want a UFA winger to replace Radulov. Suffolk gave us a ring and we wound up talking about Beauchemin. We'd like to have Nuke when he comes back in 2 years--but hopefully we won't need him. Holzer has been a dedicated defender who was always willing to fill whoever role we needed him to play, he'll do well in Suffolk. Beauchemin gives us a top four that's entirely interchangeable and more importantly, as good as any d core in the GHL.
What's next?
Well, eventually we're gonna draft a pair of future hall of famers in the 5th round. We're still have a hole or two, but what's interesting is that I look at our roster before free agency, and we have a better roster than we've ever had on opening night since I've been around. Good top 6, good depth, 5 defenseman that can play 20 minutes a game, and two goalies capable of starting. Unless the wheels fall off, we are going to make noise next year.
Taylor hasn't sounded this confident in his team since the club went 15 games withou a loss four years ago. Perhaps he's forgotten how maddeningly inconsistent the team was last year? Only time will tell. Stay tuned!
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Jul 24, 2017 20:40:54 GMT -5
July 24, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Cap Crunch Leads to Swap of Veterans
After bringing in a pair of defenders over the weekend, Colorado has to find a few million dollars in cap space if they hope to make any kind of splash in the rounds of free agency that will yield an impact player. Realizing this, GM Taylor sent veteran forward Patrick Marleau to Moncton for Daniel Sedin.
"Patrick is the ultimate professional. He realizes this is a business and that some of the older guys with bigger cap hits will be moved. He's looking forward to continuing to mentor younger players in the youth movement in Moncton. The trade saves about 1.5 million in cap.
In a trade happy modern era GHL, not even the stars are safe from moving. Daniel Sedin is grateful that up until yesterday he had only been traded twice, between the same two teams. After being traded from the eventual cup winners back to his original team, Moncton, Daniel is determined to get to the playoffs next season. ''To be honest, it hurt a bit to be rooting for Henrik from the box. I'm happy for and proud of the Hartford players and the organization, but I'd like to get there myself. Being 36, it lights a fire to get back to the playoffs and get another shot or two. Looking at the team I'm joining, Colorado looks like they are ready to start a playoff streak. I'm excited to play with a good mix for young guys and veterans and shake off the reputation Colorado has around the league as a team that's easy to beat."
Sedin at this point, won't get 1st line minutes when the roster is healthy. Sedin has been told by coach Terry Kraus (who somehow is the only coach the team has had since the move) to expect to split 2nd and 3rd line minutes with the rookie Rantanen, and will be the left wing on the 2nd power play unit.
Rumor mill: Word is that Colorado has agreed to terms with a Norris Division club to bring on a first line caliber winger. The trade involves a pick in next years draft, so it won't be official until Colorado puts in paperwork to be allowed to trade '18 picks. Jori Lehtera has been told he is involved.
What's next: Fan favorite and future hall of famer Jaromir Jagr met with management and was told the team is 50/50 on keeping him for next year or buying him out heading into free agency. More to come on this. Colorado has been having discussions with multiple clubs regarding a Peter Budaj swap for a forward. It's unknown at this time if those talks will continue now that the aforementioned trade is set to be completed later this week.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Jul 27, 2017 15:07:12 GMT -5
July 27, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Colorado Swaps Budaj For Nyquist
Continuing to be active in the trade market while the rest of the league drafts, Colorado has traded their backup goalie Peter Budaj to Cincinnati for winger Gustav Nyquist. Budaj is considered an absolute steal of a cap hit for this season, which is why Colorado opted to capitalize on his value now and shore up the offensive core.
Owner/GM Matt Taylor made the following comments after the trade went public.
"Taking a look at the UFA market, there is no guarantee that we'd be able to land a quality winger for our top 6. With the D core pretty much set, the glaring hole in our lineup is left wing. Nyquist will bring consistent offense with a few years of term. Pretty good hockey trade for both sides."
Taylor also mentioned that he has one more trick up his sleeve, which should go public tomorrow.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Jul 28, 2017 12:51:43 GMT -5
July 28, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Vanek Comes to Colorado for Last Year of Contract
Multiple sources confirm Grey Tower Cup Winner Thomas Vanek has been acquired by the Colorado Pioneers in exchange for RFA Jori Lehtera and a 3rd round pick next year. Vanek appears to be the final addition in an overhauled left wing depth chart that has added Daniel Sedin, Gustav Nyquist, and now Vanek in the last week. Mikko Rantanen was projected as the top left wing, but will likely open camp on the 3rd line and 2nd power play unit.
The acquisition of Vanek all but guarantees Jaromir Jagr's buyout in the coming days, as Colorado will need Jagr's 9 million dollar cap hit to land a player of any significance in UFA.
More to come, stay tuned.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Sept 21, 2017 21:29:42 GMT -5
September 21, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Colorado Spends Big Money - Signs Another Defender?
On day two of free agency, the Colorado Pioneers managed to bring defender TJ Brodie in the fold. Brodie is 27 years old and has spent four seasons in Cleveland before hitting free agency. Last season he put up 47 points in 74 games, scoring 13 goals on just 77 shots.
The initial reaction around the GHL was a somewhat confused one, as fans wondered why Colorado would spend upwards on 7 and a half million on another defender when defense is the teams strength.
"We wanted to make sure we have an insurance defender for Letang. He's dealing with some stuff this year and we expect him to potentially miss a significant amount of games, so bringing in Brodie allows us to breathe easy. With him on the roster we have 6 defenders who are first pairing guys and a rookie in Gilmour who can fill in to spell an injury.
Brodie is in his prime and we expect him to get even better."
-GM Taylor
The overhauled defense looks formidable. If Letang wasn't likely going to be getting sheltered playing time, its possible that last years Norris winner Ben Lovejoy would find himself on the 3rd pairing after spending the last three seasons on the teams top defensive pairing.
Whats next? More free agency. Colorado currently has 29 guys under contract, they need to get to at least 45. Don't expect any more huge splashes but some decent depth guys will be available.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Sept 25, 2017 19:39:00 GMT -5
September 25, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Colorado Adds to Depth in Free Agency
In the days following the opening of free agency, Colorado has followed up the big Brodie signing with depth signings in crucial positions.
The Pioneers have signed the following players:
Winger Kris Versteeg - 3.2 million base. Having spent the last year with the Champs in Hartford, Vertseeg brings over 500 games and 250 points of experience to a roster ready to win now. The pressure isn't on Versteeg to be 'the guy', he just has to be a solid 2nd/3rd line scorer and chip in on the second power play from time to time. Tallied 30 points last year with only 12 minutes a game.
Center Jay McClement - McClement was reportedly coveted by GM Taylor throughout the centers tenure in Boston. While McClement has seen his value go down, playing only 25 games in last year in St. Paul, McClement still has top notch defensive forward ability with nearly 600 games in the GHL. 3rd line center and he will see lots of PK time.
Defender Jonathan Ericsson - Ericsson is another guy who has seen a drop in ice time over the last few years. The savvy veteran will likely see sporadic ice time when the coaching staff gives Kris Letang a game off. Should an injury occur on defense, Ericsson will be the next man up.
Goalie Anton Khudobin - Khudobin only saw ice time in one game last year for Pittsburgh. A 1-1 draw with a .974 save percentage. Khudobin will be the backup to Bishop. Still need 3 more netminders before we drop the puck next month.
What does Colorado still need? From here on out the Pioneers will have the luxury to sign for potential and not for immediate need (outside of needing three goalies).
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Oct 6, 2017 15:55:16 GMT -5
October 6, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Pioneers Open Season with Shut Out, Block Buster Trade Brings Getzlaf back
Following up on Colorado's 2nd playoff appearance since relocation from New England, the Pioneers opened the 17/18 Season with a convincing shut out of the Moncton Golden Flames. The obvious caveat is that this Moncton team is not same team that marched into the playoffs last year - Making it difficult to determine if Ben Bishop's 9 save shut out was more a product of Colorado's overhauled defense, or if the opposition just didn't bring it last night.
The Moncton roster has four former Pioneers on it, including 2 who played for Colorado last season: Patrick Marleau and Jaromir Jagr. Marleau was moved out in a cap crunch and has taken on a leadership role with Moncton, while Jagr, a fan favorite in Colorado, signed with Moncton in the later stages of UFA.
Coach Terry Kraus was available for comments on last night's game:
"Good team win, great way to start the season at home. The offense was on point all game long, and I'm happy that a couple of the new guys got on the scoreboard in their first game. Draisaitl had a whale of a game...looks like it doesn't matter who we put on a line with him, he manages to score. We're gonna enjoy tonight, and then hit reset tomorrow morning and get ready for Milwaukee."
Speaking of who gets put on a line with Draisaitl, word from a source in the league offices is that Colorado has agreed to a trade with Hartford that sends perennial Selke nominee Patrice Bergeron and rookie defender John Gibson out to Hartford. Coming back to Colorado is former Captain Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf spent 2012 and 2013 in Colorado, scoring 46 points in 2013 leading the Pioneers to the playoffs for the first time. After a controversial playoff exit, Getzlaf was sent to Suffolk in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and others.
Since leaving Colorado, Getzlaf has played for 6 teams over 3 season. I had a quick chat with the elite center and he gave me the following quote:
"I got my ring in Hartford, I feel like I'm here to take care of unfinished business. On paper, Colorado is loaded. Same head coach, and there are a few guys in that locker room that played there when I was captain. Come to think of it, JBow (current captain) was there when I was. I'm excited for this trade to go through, get acclimated to the altitude and go win some games."
I reached out to my source inside Colorado management for some info, but as of right now, there is no info if Getzlaf will be incorporated into the team's leadership. I can confirm that the team is running a promo, exchanging old Getzlaf jerseys for new ones.
Expect to see Getzlaf tomorrow night on the first line, flanked by Rantanen and Draisaitl.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Oct 8, 2017 15:10:33 GMT -5
October 8, 2017
Randal Graves
Denver Post
Khudobin's weak debut dooms Pioneers
The Pioneers stubborn defense has allowed 20 shots in two games. In previous seasons, Colorado fans would view allowing 20 goals in a period or two a good game. But the defense can only restrict shots, they can't block or prevent them all. That comes down to Bishop and Khudobin. Bishop proved himself the starter with a shutout in game one after a somewhat controversial offseason that saw him as the last man standing between himself, Peter Budaj, and Calvin Pickard. Khudobin was given the nod to start what now has proven to be a trap game against Milwaukee. Coach Kraus was looking to rest Bishop leading up to the clash with Halifax, but they didn't anticipate Drew Doughty controlling the play and Rask having an amazing game in net.
On the other hand, Khudobin was beaten twice on 11 shots, one goal from the slot and one right in front of the goal mouth. No word from management on when Khudobin will get his next start--I'd circle the 18th against St. Paul, meaning that the next four games will all be Bishops.
No update on the Ryan Getzlaf - Patrice Bergeron trade. The league is a bit backed up right now and has imposed a short trade freeze. The players have been informed that the trade will be processed, and while the players are technically still property of their former teams, they have been given the go ahead to make whatever moves necessary to get their living arrangements taken care of.
What you may have missed:
21 year old Leon Draisaitl is picking up where he left off in last years playoffs. The young forward has 4 points in 2 games, hopefully sign of big things to come for the kid this season.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Feb 13, 2018 11:17:52 GMT -5
-A real presser is on the way, didn't want to jinx anything on my ridiculous run in December.-
Word is Colorado is putting the message out into the winds that while they aren't actively looking to make any trades right now, they are open to a "hockey trade".
"After doing a lot of wheeling and dealing during the offseason, our roster was pretty much set on day one. We made the huge Getzlaf-Bergeron trade, but aside from that we're really happy with what we have heading into the playoffs." - Owner/GM Taylor.
Sources have indicated that Colorado has entertained several teams offers, particularly when the Pioneers were considering making an upgrade at goalie--but it would seem that the price to improve that position was too much for Taylor to pay when he already has Bishop who is 1 or 2 in most of the key stats in net.
"We've had a lot of talks. We aren't looking to move out any of our key youngsters, we don't have picks or prospects, and we have no cap--so that really limits the conversations we get into. That being said, if someone wanted to, say, swap a top six forward for one of our top four defenders, and the cap and term worked for both sides, I'd definitely be tempted by that; but we likely aren't going to be calling anyone, we're very happy with our present situation.
Colorado currently is chasing Alaska for #1 in the Wales Conference, trailing by 2 points with 2 games in hand. Boston is most definitely out of reach for #1 in the league.
The Pioneers are tied for 16th in scoring, but have the #1 defense in the GHL, having allowed 84 goals through 54 games. For a while, Colorado trailed Division rival Detroit by over 10 points, but having gone 27-5-4 after starting 7-7-4, including a 12 game winning streak and an incredible 17-1-1 game stretch in late November through December,the Pioneers have taken over the division lead and are looking like a solid playoff contender.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Feb 22, 2018 16:04:35 GMT -5
2/22/18
Randal Graves, Denver Post
Possible trade looming
Not much to go off of right now, but all I know is that Patrick Berglund and Jonathan Ericsson left the ice during the team practice about 30 minutes early. Both went right to the General Manager's office. I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade today ahead of the game vs Chicago.
More to come
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Feb 26, 2018 22:46:27 GMT -5
Trade deadline recap coming soon.
Press release from Colorado right now is that they are finished trading.
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Post by Matt-Colorado on Apr 25, 2018 12:04:01 GMT -5
April 25, 2018
Defeated Pioneers clear out for the offseason
After being upset in 5 games by Washington last week, the Colorado Pioneers had their last team meeting and exit meeting with the GM earlier this week. I caught up with a few players and GM Taylor to get some insight:
Ryan Getzlaf
"Really disappointing, everyone in the organization expected to make a run. #1 seed, didn't even win two games. I'm not sure what direction the team is headed right now, I know management went all in to win this year, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some moves. I told coach Kraus and GM Taylor I'd prefer to stay, if moves get made.
Kris Letang
"It's not easy losing like that after having had such a good season, granted we had some injuries, but we simply didn't play well at all." On next season: "I'm a free agent starting July, I had a good season and a half here, I still have lots of hockey in me, and I feel healthy, we'll see what happens. I'm open to staying here, but as the GM's always say: it's a business, and that goes for us too, this is going to be my payday."
Devan Dubnyk
"Didn't play well after the trade. Sorry to disappoint, I'm sure I'll bounce back with whoever I sign with in July."
Ben Bishop
"It was a good year individually, and for the team. I'm anxious to see the awards nominees soon, I feel I was on fire until the deadline." Regarding the trade for Dubnyk: "Admittedly I was, and still am a bit angry. I'm having a career year and management brings in another 50-60 game starter and I see a handful of games the rest of the year...and that whole time, we struggle. I didn't play in the first three games, but I took over game four, and my play didn't lose game five. I told GM Taylor that I'm still under contract, and I will honor that contract, but I didn't appreciate getting benched."
GM Matt Taylor
"We had a heck of a season until we stumbled into the playoffs for the last ten games, we never recovered. Offense was always a struggle this season, we'll get that figured out. I'm proud of our team for what we have accomplished; our best season in the modern era--but this playoff dud will likely see some changes come around. We have several UFAs, ideally I'd like to keep one or two of them, but I'm not sure if the check book can handle that. Vanek had a great year, Letang as well, both fantastic. Our priority heading into the offseason is to try and salvage the draft in some way. I've had very early chats with a few guys about getting into the first round. After that, Leon needs to get paid. Our cornerstones for the next 5-6 years will be Draisaitl and Rantanen, but beyond that the cupboard is bare. We're going to change philosophy and hang onto our picks regardless of how well or poor we are playing." On Getzlaf: "He mentioned our talk, eh? I admire his commitment, and he's bounced around a ton. He's earned the right to stick around if he wants to." On Bishop: "It was a calculated risk. Pissing Ben off would be worth it if we went on a run...we didn't. Now I have a guy who lost 8 games all season long pretty ticked about being benched at a critical time in the season. We talked a lot about that, and it'll take some time for him to cool off...he's an intense guy, that's why he's on the team. He has my word we aren't in the goalie market outside of depth guys, and he is the starter next year."
Lots to look forward to for the rest of the playoffs and heading into the offseason. We might even get a series started here at the Denver Post highlighting past seasons for the original Whalers team. Be on the lookout for that, and hopefully we get some trades early and often in the offseason to make the draft exciting.
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