With injuries to captain Adam Foote, Ryan Wilson, Kyle Cumiskey, and Kyle Quincey, Avalanche coach Joe Sacco has been forced to turn to rookies to play big minutes. Among them are Jonas Holos, Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen, and David Liffiton.
The defense performed admirably with all four rookies in the line-up; in fact, it was a breath of fresh air to see some new faces on the Avalanche blue line.
However, Adam Foote and Ryan Wilson returned to the line-up in last nights win against the St. Louis Blues, and the two Kyles won't be out forever. Including recent acquisition Ryan O'Byrne, this gives the Avalanche a total of eleven defensemen who's played for them this season.
Colby Cohen and David Liffiton have already been re-assigned to Lake Erie of the AHL, so that number is knocked down to nine. The most defensemen Colorado has dressed in a single game is seven, so huge decisions are on the way.
Rookie's Kevin Shattenkirk and Jonas Holos will likely be on the hot seat, given that they're both rookies with two-way contracts (ineligible for waivers).
Removing one, or both from the roster would be insanity.
Holo ...
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Article written by James Crider
Colorado Avalanche: Decisions Coming As Defense Gets Healthy
November 16th, 2010 by James Crider Leave a reply »
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