TJ Hensick Posts -- FanHouse

Offseason Roadmap: Northwest Division

It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Northwest Division.

It appears we are setting up for an offseason of significant change in the Northwest Division. Only the Vancouver Canucks will have the same coach as last year, and there could be some real upheaval in terms of personnel. Not only that, but two teams (Minnesota and Colorado) have changed general managers.

More Offseason Roadmaps:
Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast | Central
Detroit Red Wings | Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL Season Preview: Colorado Avalanche

Welcome to the NHL FanHouse 2008-09 season preview. While other sites are previewing "30 teams in 30 days," we decided to take advantage of the extra time off before the start of the season to bring you all 30 previews over the next three weeks. We're counting down in reverse order of finish from last season in each conference every weekday from now until October 3. Look for an Eastern Conference preview every morning and a Western Conference preview every afternoon. Click here to read them all.

Who's In: Andrew Raycroft, G (FA-TOR); Darcy Tucker, F (FA-TOR)

Who's Out: Jeff Finger, D (FA-TOR); Andrew Brunette, F (FA-MIN); Kurt Sauer, D (FA-PHX); Wyatt Smith, F (FA-TB); Jose Theodore, G (FA-WSH)

What's Changed: The Avalanche are not younger, and it's hard to argue that they look like they're going to be better. Joe Sakic is back to lead the offense, and he's just a small part of an aging group. Sakic turns 40 next summer, and he's joined by over-30 guys like Ryan Smyth, Milan Hejduk, Ian Laperriere, Scott Parker, Brian Willsie, and Tucker.