After the initial purge, of what few assets the team had, the Avalanche took a huge change in direction when they traded their 1 next year to Montreal for the Habs 1 next year and 21 overall. Let's pick it up there and take a look at the in's and outs of what has occured with the roster

IN - Dion Phaneuf, Duncan Keith, tuuka Rask, PE Bellemare, Victor Svedberg, Alex Chaisson, John Mitchell, Mattias Ekholm, 75, 119, 170, 202, Car 5 (18), Car 6 (18), Car 7 (18)

OUT - 21, 47, 83, 102, 130, 139, 158, 170, Col 2 (17), Col 3 (17), Col 5 (17)

While the team has moved a total of 11 picks, and received back 7, they've picked up an elite starter in Rask (retained 3m this year and half next), built a good top 3 blueline with Keith (half retained this year), Phaneuf (half retained both years), and Ekholm. Svedberg is being pencilled in as the 7th dman. Up front there is lots of work left to do, the team feels it has 2/3 of a fourth line in Chaisson Bellemare, and John Mitchell as the third line center.

No doubt there is ton's of work to still be done, and the team has been in plenty of talks as they continute to look for roster upgrades this year, while trying to retain enough picks to build a system. There has been rumors that the team has entertained offers on MON 1 next year, but thus far nothing has been close to being done. The team still has picks 17-33-75-77-89-119-129-143-152-164-167-173-197-202-203. And while they could be in play (except 17), the preference is to downgrade picks for capable back of the roster type players.

As always, hit me up on ICQ anytime.