The Colorado Avalanche have joined in on the signing spree, inking one of their own Russian draft picks. The team has announced that Danila Zhuravlyov has signed his two-year entry-level contract.
It’s been four years since the Avalanche selected Zhuravlyov in the fifth round of the NHL draft, but after another full season in the KHL, they’ve finally added him to the organization. The 22-year-old left-shot defenseman had six points in 43 games for Ak Bars Kazan this season in a limited role, but saw that playing time increase significantly in the playoffs.
For a system that is set to lose several minor league veterans–Roland McKeown, Dennis Gilbert, Jordan Gross, and Jacob MacDonald are all scheduled for unrestricted free agency–there perhaps will be an opening for a player like Zhuravlyov to quickly make an impact. Whether his play can translate, or even improve, at the AHL level remains to be seen, though the young defenseman will come with three full seasons of KHL action under his belt.
“Super Joe” at again and get’s no love for GM of the year considerations just like Bednar get’s no love for Coach of the Year honors, dosen’t even get a mention. I smell “East Coast Bias” ? Every year since the Avalanche have been good, none of the management get any respect at all. I hope we win the Cup because then you’ll see everyone around the league kissing their ass or fawning all over them with accolades. I got a very good feeling now that the Avalanche are healthy, they are going to do some serious damage in this year’s playoffs. Maybe even get the ultimate prize. GO AVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@thomasavalanche – East Coast Bias? It’s, unfortunately, an age-old thing. In today’s world, though, the Avs could win 16 straight, but conceivably get no more respect. Why? Those East Coasters have a lifetime of stubbornness (and the current political climate doesn’t help). They are almost as likely to make up excuses as to why “their team” didn’t win, rather than give credit where it’s due. Will the Avs sweep their way through this year? Odds are no, but if they can start moving the needle on the “ruthless-o-meter” that seemed on the verge of being pegged at times this year, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. They have a lot to prove, especially after pissing away the President’s Trophy that was solidly in their grasp, until they started leading with their face, late in the season (4-5-1 in their last 10). BTW, I am not rooting against them, I would love to see them succeed, as they’ve been compelling to me all year.
East coast bias has become one of the laziest takes in sports. Every time someone’s favorite guy doesn’t get an award, you trot out your failed reason. Was it east coast bias when Patrick Roy won coach of the year with the Avs? Was it east coast bias when coaches of the Flames, Bluejackets, and Knights won COY in the past decade? When GMs of the Knights, Blues, Ducks, and Predators won their award in the same timeframe? You are probably new to hockey, and sports in general, but these awards are not necessarily given to guys running teams that have the most regular season points.
This can’t be a real take. What bubble are you living in?
@doghockey – Since you’ve thrown that garbage out before, you’ve obviously found the cut-and-paste keyboard shortcut. You are every bit as dead wrong as before. I am NOT *new* to the Coolest Game on Earth, however, you smack of being a virtual noob. “East Coast Bias” has been around as long as sports reporting, and won’t be going away anytime soon. It happens because some writers choose to not stay up late for Mountain/Pacific time zone games, and shortcut the reporting process. The others in that group simply can’t, as there are still only 24 hours in a day, and many of them have families. At least those people openly admit that they can’t be up for the games, instead of pretending like their disingenuous peers. Fifty-five years, and counting, doesn’t qualify as new, unless you are one of the junk-math worshipers.