Avalanche @ Kings, Game 19 Preview

The Colorado Avalache face off against the Los Angeles Kings tonight and Joe Sakic is doubtful to be in the lineup.

The Avalanche have recalled Brian Willsie after placing Ben Guite on injured reserve and I would love to see him in the lineup tonight.

I think any shakup, even one as minor as this, could provide a much needed spark to the offense. I'm not saying Willsie will stroll in and put the Avs on his back but the team is playing complacently. A little reminder that there are hungry folks below couldn't hurt.

And who should sit if Willsie draws in? Well the Rocky Mountain News reports that Tyler Arnason was the fifth center in practice. Would Granato sit Arnason again?

Probably not since Willsie is a RW and if Arnason sits, that leaves just three centers on the team. Since Sakic was at practice, Granato would be running the lines on the premise that Sakic would be in the lineup.

And though Wolski has played center before, he hasn't spent one lick at center during practices - I assume AD would have noted it at some point if he had - so I can't see Granato moving him there at this point.

UPDATE: David Jones is out, Willsie is in. Good. I was just saying that Jones should head down to the AHL to regain some confidence. I don't think sitting in the press box is enough for him at this point but at least we'll get a hungry player in the lineup.

Will the Avalanche break out of their slump? I don't know. What I do know is that if this team doesn't start supporting Peter Budaj's efforts with some goals, I wouldn't blame Budaj if he were to take his pads and go home.

The puck drops at 10:30 ET, 8:30 MT. I'll be watching via my new Slingbox while I'm back on the farm. It's not great quality but it's still awesome to be able to control my PVR from 360 km away. That's about 220 miles for you non-metric folks.

Related Links
Practice report: Budaj shoulders load
Avalanche report: Looking for some offense
ColoradoAvalanche.com Game Preview

Avalanche Reduce Roster to 25

Brian Willsie has been sent down to the AHL, much to AD's surprise. Based on everything I'd heard, I'm a bit surprised as well. He seemed like he could fill many roles on the team. 

Giving him a role on the team would most likely have eaten into Per Ledin's ice time and the Avs likely want to give Ledin a good look at the start of the season. 

Based on waiver rules, it appears Willsie would have to clear them before being reassigned to Lake Erie. But I make no claims at completely understanding waiver rules. Or any other contract related rules to  be frank.

That's unfortunate for Willsie as if he does clear them, he'll likely be in Lake Erie for the rest of the year. If any callups are needed, the Avs will look to the waiver exempt players first so they don't risk losing a player for nothing. 

So there are two more cuts to go before opening night and on the chopping block are:
TJ Hensick

Cody Mcleod

Cody McCormick

Paul Stastny

Scott Parker

Scott Parker is the most expendable on that list and it appears that Tyler Arnason has diplomatic immunity so TJ Hensick will likely find himself back in the land of the Monsters. Paul Stastny will just barely make the cut which leaves the two Cody's in the press box to practice their antagonistic antics. 

I give Mcleod the edge in annoyance but I think Cody McC would take him.

EDIT: Rethinking this over lunch, it's probably more likely that Parker hangs in the press box and one of the Cody's gets sent to Lake Erie. I'd pick McLeod myself and have McCormick as the 13th forward.

It's possible that Granato will ease Ledin into the NHL schedule as the 82-game season may have been a problem for last year's Euro import, Jaroslav Hlinka. So the two Cody's might not get too bored with each other.