Houston, we have a problem...

Holy ****.

Holy mother****ikingsuckass****facespunkallover (Palooka, could use
some help here)
areyougoddamnkiddingmepissitalluptheasswithanalhairspulledoutattheroots
****.

Are you serious?

Are you goddamn serious?!?!?

The Avalanche just signed Andrew Raycroft and Darcy Tucker on UFA
signing day.  That's it.  Andrew ****ing Raycroft and Darcy
adecenttoughbutbeatto****player Tucker.  And *that* is going to
somehow keep this a playoff team?  Raycroft?  Jesus, I could put
Walkindude and his Osgood doll - in full copulation mode - in front of
an NHL net and they'd stop more pucks.  Raycroft????

Tucker's a decent player, and a tough one.  Always a nice addition to
a team.  But, the dude's a pretty beat up 33, and a signing like that
is really good for a team ready to contend, but is missing some
physical play.  A team like San Jose for example?  That would be a
good signing.  Montreal, maybe?  There you go.  But, the Avs?  Who
clearly need skill and youth at this point?  Ugh.  I don't mind the
player - much like I don't mind Foote - but given the team around
them........why?

The best moves the Avs made today, were to let their other UFAs (who
all ended up overpaid) go.  Theodore got $4.5M per year, and I'm happy
they didn't pay that.  Too much for a team that isn't going anywhere
with or without him.  Sauer got $1.75M from Phoenix, which is also too
much.  The crazy signing of the day is what Finger got - almost $4M
per year for a clear 3rd pairing stay-at-home defenseman.  He's
certainly a decent player, but yikes.  I like him, and hope he does
well, but next year's UFAs all over the league should think very
strongly about hiring his agent.  No way on earth should the Avs have
even considered such a thing.

So.  Where does that leave us (and I'm assuming that the Avs are not
going to sign either Hossa or Sundin)?

Not in a very good place, my friends.

Our goaltending might be the very worst in the NHL.  LA and Tampa look
pretty ****y also, and arguing over whether dog****, horse****, or
monkey**** smells worse isn't a very good use of time here.

Our defense doesn't look at all bad defensively, but offensively, it's
going to suffer much like it did last year, especially if Leopold gets
hurt and  doesn't play.  There is still no point presence on the power
play.

The forward position is OK, but that's all.  If Sakic doesn't come
back, it's ugly also.

In conclusion:

- I'm in the unenviable position of standing wholly corrected in
regards to Laurain's post regarding who the Avs look better than in
the WC.  I never, ever imagined that FG could come out of the UFA
period with but Raycroft and Tucker as his prizes.  Maybe he's got
Hossa up his sleeve for tomorrow.  Ish.  

- The Avs have gone from trying to be a skill team, to being a tough
team.  And given their lineup, they should be that.  Whoopie.  They'll
be tough all over the ice, except right in front of each net on the
ice.  Not too appetizing.

- Hopefully, the Avs give some of the young guys some IT, and we can
focus on their development.  It's not nearly as much fun if the team
isn't dedicated to rebuilding, but we're not left with all that much
here.

- I'm hoping that - finally - even FG will see the light and
understand that at the next trading deadline, it's selling time.
There are a lot of decent, tough veterans on this team that other
teams will want next February.  Let's hope FG has the cubes to make
those moves.

As is, this is not a playoff team.

Chris