Avalanche stick with plan of relying on youth

Hockey Betting Lines

07/02/2010 -

DENVER (AP) -The Colorado Avalanche won't stray from their strategy by taking a shortcut in free agency.

The plan is to build a contender from within the organization, an approach that Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman steadfastly believes in and backs.

No quick fixes.

The Avalanche were rather quiet on the opening day of free agency Thursday, electing to allow veterans Darcy Tucker, Brett Clark, Ruslan Salei, Stephane Yelle and Marek Svatos to become unrestricted free agents.

The stage is being set for the youngsters.

``I remain focused on that plan,'' Sherman said of the youth movement. ``You see what we have put together here with a young group of enthusiastic, energetic, exciting players we have on our own club. I feel very strongly about the group of players we have.''

The Avalanche hit the jackpot in the 2009 draft by taking Matt Duchene with the third overall pick and Ryan O'Reilly early in the second round. The talented duo helped the Avalanche surge back into the playoffs in 2009-10 after finishing last in the Western Conference the year before.

While that success may have been unexpected around the league, the Avalanche fully envisioned the resurgence. This is an organization with lofty standards, having won the Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001.

And this was just the first step in restoring respectability.

``We felt very confident in the group of players that were assembled,'' Sherman said.

That's why Colorado doesn't figure to wade too deep into free agency this summer.

Instead, the team will concentrate on getting deals done for some of its upstarts, players such as Chris Stewart, Brandon Yip, Kyle Quincey, Peter Mueller and Daniel Winnik, who was acquired Monday in a deal with Phoenix.

They all were tendered a qualifying offer, meaning Colorado has the right to match any deal or will be given draft-choice compensation should a player bolt.

Sherman wouldn't elaborate on how close he was to any potential deal with any of the players, saying ``those conversations are ongoing.''

``These are the type of players, the young group, that we are building within and building around,'' Sherman said.

With Clark and Salei hitting the free agent market, the Avalanche appear to be in need of a few more defensemen to join captain Adam Foote, Scott Hannan and John-Michael Liles in the back.

However, Sherman maintained the solution at defense could already be in the minor-league system, possibly a player such as Kevin Shattenkirk, the 14th overall pick in the 2007 draft.

``We certainly believe that our depth on the blue line is very strong,'' Sherman said. ``As we look toward the future, we feel very confident about the young group we have, that we're going to build around.''

NOTES: There have been overtures that former Avalanche great Joe Sakic wouldn't mind joining the organization in some capacity. Sherman said the team was open to the possibility.

``I think Joe was very clear a couple of weeks ago - he's in no rush,'' Sherman said. ``At the appropriate time, Joe will reach out and indicate what he's looking to do with the franchise. ... When Joe's ready, those discussions will be had.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wwwjsonline Hockey Betting News

<< Bourn, Astros use three-run 10th to beat Padres
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Bourn started a three-run 10th inning with a two-run triple, and the Astros took a 6-3 win from San Diego to kick off a four-game set from Petco Park. Jeff Keppinger singled in Bourn to make it a

<< Stamps down Argos in season opener
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henry Burris threw for 324 yards on 27-of-40 passing, leading the Calgary Stampeders to a 30-16 win over the Toronto Argonauts in the season opener for both clubs. Burris also recorded an intercepti

<< Napoli, Weaver help Angels snap Rangers' series win streak
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Napoli's RBI double in the sixth backed Jered Weaver's solid pitching performance, as the Angels held off the Texas Rangers, 2-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series. Weaver (8-3) gave up just

<< Cavs officially name Scott head coach
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially named Byron Scott as the team's new head coach. The announcement was made by general manager Chris Grant. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Earlier reports

<< Diamondbacks fire GM Byrnes, manager Hinch
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Josh Byrnes have been fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks amidst a 31-48 record to begin the 2010 season. In the interim, Jerry Dipoto will take over the general man

Karlsson withdraws from Open de France >>
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden's Robert Karlsson withdrew from the Open de France after one round because of a strained wrist. Karlsson, 40, said on his Twitter feed that he would return for the British Open in two weeks. He d

AP Source: Celtics agree to terms with Pierce >>
BOSTON (AP) -A Boston Celtics official says the team has agreed to terms with Paul Pierce on a new contract.The official is familiar with the deal but spoke on the condition of anonymity because the free agent signing period does not begin until Thu

Line of Scrimmage: NFL GameChangers '10: Pass Rushers >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Apart from 13 mostly unmemorable outings with the Washington Redskins in 2008, Jason Taylor has spent his entire 13- year NFL career as a member of the Miami Dolphins. Thus, suffice it to say, he's more th

Huh confirms South Korea exit >>
Seoul, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - South Korea manager Huh Jung-moo confirmed on Friday that he will not be renewing his contract with the team, which expires at the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 55-year-old Huh guided S

Report: Pierce reaches agreement with Celtics >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics and forward Paul Pierce have reportedly reached an agreement on a new contract. The Boston Herald reports the sides reached an agreement for four years, with options for the club and Pierce

MySportsbook.com offers Blackjack contest and $10,000.00 in Free Prize money!

Every month MySportsbook.com's casino host, Jack Black, gives away $10,000.00 in free casino prize money. To Enter - All you have to do is play at least 10 hands (total) of Blackjack on one of the specified dates of the blackjack contest. The online casino host randomly hands out free bonuses ranging from $50 - $500, and one lucky player who will receive a free $2,500.00 bonus.

"We have been running this monthly free blackjack contest to our active mebers for 5 years now, and the players just love it," says Jack Black, online casino host at MySportsbook.com. "And why wouldn't they love a free chance to win some extra online blackjack cash."

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Mastercard needs.

MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.