Denver Post 18/19 Offseason primer - Coach Terry Kraus Fired
Apr 24, 2019 11:42:24 GMT -5
Glenn-Philadelphia likes this
Post by Matt-Colorado on Apr 24, 2019 11:42:24 GMT -5
Little late to have start the yearly presser thread but it's been a busy year.
April 24, 2019
Denver Post
Pioneers complete exit interviews after getting swept by Cleveland.
It was a closer series than anticipated, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the 'W', and Cleveland got four of 'em to send Colorado off to the golf courses early.
While this was the third season in a row making the playoffs, the Pioneers record in those three post seasons are 2-12. Three playoff runs, including an appearance as the number one seed totally just 2 wins has seen long time coach Terry Kraus finally get the axe. He's been the beneficiary of weak rosters generating weak seasons for a long time, but in the age of a generally competitive Colorado teams, that long leash has run out of slack. Terry Kraus was unceremoniously let go this morning and was not available for comment.
The regular season was as expected, weaker than fans would like, but they managed to snag a wild card. Goal tending was a serious issue behind decent offensive and defensive cores. Forwards Leon Draisaitl, Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Getzlaf, and Ryan O'Reilly all had career years and the younger three of the four are expected to have even better years next season. Getzlaf will likely see the top center slot handed to O'Reilly next year.
Defensively the core of Spurgeon, Peitrangelo, Brodie and Bouwmeester all had down years. Bouwmeester may have finished his final season with Colorado injured--more on that down below. A minor move was made to bring in Ryan Graves, who brass feels has a shot to be a decent middle to bottom pairing player for years to come. Ben Lovejoy is still around, had a Ben Lovejoy year. The former Norris winner has two more years on his contract and will likely play those two years out on the middle/bottom pairing.
In net, Corey Crawford play two games, won em both and went down with more vertigo issues. Assuming he comes back, he'l split time with Jordan Binnington, who in his second stint in the Colorado organization looks primed to finally take a shot at being a starter. Jimmy Howard filled in for most of the season, putting up respectable numbers but the jury is out on his return.
On the to do list for Colorado this offseason:
1- Draft- Finally have a first round pick again
2- Howard or Bouwmeester, and should they keep Crawford? Crawford comes at a steep cap hit, and he was signed to play next season rather than play this year. The trouble is his injury issues are still a major concern. Bouwmeester is one of the most tenured players in the modern era Pioneers and a fan favorite. Howard could be a decent backup to Binnington who likely isn't ready for full time #1 duty, which could allow Colorado to abandon the Crawford experiment.
3- Manage the cap. The key to all of this: Colorado has a lot tied up in Spurgeon, Pietro and Crawford, and they have to make room for Mikko Rantanen. Who knows how it will go down, but GM Matt Taylor has to figure out where the money will come from. My guess is he is looking at three options: 1- let Howard and Bouwmeester walk, sign Mikko. 2- Extend Howard, bail on Crawford to make room for Rantanen. 3- Extend Bouwmeester, bail on Crawford, keep Mikko and find a short term back up.
Wont know until cards come out, I suppose.
PS:
Moment of silence for Jaromir Jagr. The ageless wonder finished what is likely his last in the GHL. Not accounting for his full career (which we lack the technology to look up *old timers league*) Jagr played 7 season in the modern era GHL, all over 40.
He put up 333 points in 558 games (171 goals, 162 assists) playing for Detroit, Syracuse, Moncton and Colorado.
His numbers with the Pioneers are: 266 games, 86 goals, 87 assists, 173 points. His 66 points in 75 games in 2016-17 at the age of 45 is a modern era GHL record. In fact his 333 points after 40 years old is a era GHL record. Maybe he comes back again, who knows. He's tearing it up in Kladno as we speak.
April 24, 2019
Denver Post
Pioneers complete exit interviews after getting swept by Cleveland.
It was a closer series than anticipated, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the 'W', and Cleveland got four of 'em to send Colorado off to the golf courses early.
While this was the third season in a row making the playoffs, the Pioneers record in those three post seasons are 2-12. Three playoff runs, including an appearance as the number one seed totally just 2 wins has seen long time coach Terry Kraus finally get the axe. He's been the beneficiary of weak rosters generating weak seasons for a long time, but in the age of a generally competitive Colorado teams, that long leash has run out of slack. Terry Kraus was unceremoniously let go this morning and was not available for comment.
The regular season was as expected, weaker than fans would like, but they managed to snag a wild card. Goal tending was a serious issue behind decent offensive and defensive cores. Forwards Leon Draisaitl, Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Getzlaf, and Ryan O'Reilly all had career years and the younger three of the four are expected to have even better years next season. Getzlaf will likely see the top center slot handed to O'Reilly next year.
Defensively the core of Spurgeon, Peitrangelo, Brodie and Bouwmeester all had down years. Bouwmeester may have finished his final season with Colorado injured--more on that down below. A minor move was made to bring in Ryan Graves, who brass feels has a shot to be a decent middle to bottom pairing player for years to come. Ben Lovejoy is still around, had a Ben Lovejoy year. The former Norris winner has two more years on his contract and will likely play those two years out on the middle/bottom pairing.
In net, Corey Crawford play two games, won em both and went down with more vertigo issues. Assuming he comes back, he'l split time with Jordan Binnington, who in his second stint in the Colorado organization looks primed to finally take a shot at being a starter. Jimmy Howard filled in for most of the season, putting up respectable numbers but the jury is out on his return.
On the to do list for Colorado this offseason:
1- Draft- Finally have a first round pick again
2- Howard or Bouwmeester, and should they keep Crawford? Crawford comes at a steep cap hit, and he was signed to play next season rather than play this year. The trouble is his injury issues are still a major concern. Bouwmeester is one of the most tenured players in the modern era Pioneers and a fan favorite. Howard could be a decent backup to Binnington who likely isn't ready for full time #1 duty, which could allow Colorado to abandon the Crawford experiment.
3- Manage the cap. The key to all of this: Colorado has a lot tied up in Spurgeon, Pietro and Crawford, and they have to make room for Mikko Rantanen. Who knows how it will go down, but GM Matt Taylor has to figure out where the money will come from. My guess is he is looking at three options: 1- let Howard and Bouwmeester walk, sign Mikko. 2- Extend Howard, bail on Crawford to make room for Rantanen. 3- Extend Bouwmeester, bail on Crawford, keep Mikko and find a short term back up.
Wont know until cards come out, I suppose.
PS:
Moment of silence for Jaromir Jagr. The ageless wonder finished what is likely his last in the GHL. Not accounting for his full career (which we lack the technology to look up *old timers league*) Jagr played 7 season in the modern era GHL, all over 40.
He put up 333 points in 558 games (171 goals, 162 assists) playing for Detroit, Syracuse, Moncton and Colorado.
His numbers with the Pioneers are: 266 games, 86 goals, 87 assists, 173 points. His 66 points in 75 games in 2016-17 at the age of 45 is a modern era GHL record. In fact his 333 points after 40 years old is a era GHL record. Maybe he comes back again, who knows. He's tearing it up in Kladno as we speak.