Hockey Mountain High Podcast

On this episode, we mourn the sudden loss of Avalanche broadcasting icon Peter McNab, and celebrate his legacy as a tremendous human being and building block for the Avalanche from the very beginning.. Even as meaningless as it might seem after such an event, the Avalanche won both of their games in Finland over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and had just about everything they needed to happen actuall...

The Avalanche are enjoying some needed time off before back to back games in Finland against the Columbus Blue Jackets over the weekend, but the show must go on. What's going to be at stake for both the Avalanche and Blue Jackets after shaky starts for both sides? Can the Avs bounce back in Finland? While we wait for these games however, what's going on in the rest of the NHL as October comes to a...

The Avalanche get beat up in their final two games of the New York road trip, getting shutout 1-0 by the New Jersey Devils, and blowing a 3-0 lead to the New York Islanders in what will hopefully be a wake up call for a team meandering through October. Is the Devils game one of the worst, most uneventful game of all time? With no Nichushkin, Landeskog, or Helm, the Avs depth issues are on full dis...

The Avalanche had a game of the year contender against the New York Rangers, winning 3-2 in a shootout. Alexandar Georgiev had the game of his live and out-dueled Igor Shesterkin, making 44 saves and stealing the game against his old team at Madison Square Garden. How does this set up Georgiev for the rest of the season? Will any game this regular season top this one for the Avalanche? Also, looki...

The Avalanche go 1-1-1 over their three games in four day stretch, wrapping it up with an impressive 3-2 win on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights, and preventing a total morale bust after two disappointing performances against the Winnipeg Jets and the Seattle Kraken. Which games should we be taking more stock in from the early season? Who's been the best and who's been the most disappoint...

The Avalanche take down the Minnesota Wild in a sloppy 6-3 victory on the road, taking advantage of the Wild's shockingly bad goaltending and overcoming their own early season woes to move to 2-1-0 in the early season. While the walked out with a 6 goals and a win, what do the Avs still have to clean up? How was Georgiev's second Avs start? Lukas Sedlak and Ben Meyers are headed to the Eagles, and...

The Stanley Cup banner has been hung after an incredible ceremony on opening night, and the journey officially begins again for the Avalanche as the regular season kicks off against the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames on back to back nights. The Avalanche did what they wanted to the Blackhawks on Banner Night, starting the season with a 5-2 win without much trouble. The next night in Calgary...

The regular season is finally upon us, and the banner raising ceremony just around the corner for the Colorado Avalanche. To preview the Avs season from top to bottom, the yearly tradition of bringing on Alex 'Raj' Rajaniemi continues as he sets the record straight on everything to expect from the Avalanche. Can Cale Makar sore to even greater heights this season? What can we expect from the Avs n...

The preseason is over, and the regular season is only a few days away with the roster nearly finalized. The guys finish up their season previews by looking at the whole Western Conference, ranking the Central and Pacific division from 1-8. Who are the Avalanche's biggest threats in the Western Conference? Where do the Avalanche stack up to the rest of the west? Is the Central the worst division in...

The Avalanche season is just a week away, which means it's time for one of the best times of year, season predictions. The guys kick it off with looking at both the Metro and Atlantic divisions, and go 1-8 in each with their individual predictions. Are there any surprises up and coming in the East after a busy offseason? Who should be the favorite to come out of the East? Are any playoff teams fro...

The preseason marches on for the Avalanche after a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Golden Knights. Is there anything to be concerned about after Alex Georgiev struggled in his second preseason game? Jonas Johansson was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes, leaving a hole at third string goalie to be filled as other goalies enter the waiver wire. Will the Avs pursue any of them before the se...

The preseason is underway for the Colorado Avalanche, and hockey is finally back. Allegedly at least. Who's impressed the most in the first two preseason games against Minnesota and Vegas? What else can we expect over the next week ok preseason action? Also, the NHL has released some salary cap projections for the next few seasons ahead. Finally, what's the worst number someone can have in the NHL...

Training camp has gotten underway for the Avalanche after a short offseason, with the preseason just around the corner. It wouldn't be Avalanche hockey without some injuries, and the injury report has already piled up before day 1 of training camp even starts, and potentially Gabe Landeskog missing time during the regular season with a lower body injury. Who's impressed the most during the first f...

Nathan MacKinnon is officially a member of the Avalanche for nine more seasons, and has become the highest paid player in the NHL with his newly inked extension in Colorado. Is this the perfect contract for MacKinnon after years of being the most underrated player in the league? What comes next with the saga over and done with? Is this even market value for a player like MacKinnon? Also, the Avala...

Back on their normal schedule, the guys are back as hockey slowly begins to trickle back into season with the return of the rookie tournament. Since last episode, more rumors of Nathan MacKinnon's contract extension have surfaced, and the deal should be done at least before the beginning of the regular season on October 12th. MacKinnon has said that the contract will be fair, but what constitutes...

The guys are back on their regular recording schedule as the offseason winds down, and have actual Avs news to talk about. The Avalanche sign Evan Rodrigues to a one year contract, addressing their concerns at second line center, and giving them even more options for their middle six forwards. How well will Rodrigues fit with the team? Also, discussing the latest rumors surrounding Nathan MacKinno...

The player review/preview series concludes at last with the players who are no longer members of the Avalanche, and have moved on to other teams. Nazem Kadri got paid by the Calgary Flames, how will the Avs replace him, and how much better does Kadri make the Flames? Andre Burakovsky finally got the contract and opportunity he was looking for with the Seattle Kraken, is this finally the time he hi...

The player review/preview series nears its conclusion as we talk about the goalies, both the returning Pavel Francouz and newly acquired Alexandar Georiev. After returning from multiple injuries that kept him out all of last season and first half of this season, Francouz returned to form in the regular season and put forth a huge performance when called upon in the playoffs. Georgiev was acquired...

The player review/preview series continues with the newest member of the Avalanche's defense, Josh Manson. Manson was acquired at the trade deadline last season, and became a key piece of the Avalanche's defense en route to the Stanley Cup, but not after a little adjustment period during the regular season. Now with a four year extension with the team, what can be expected from Manson after a full...

The player review/preview series continues with the longest tenured member of the Avalanche, Erik Johnson. After a tremendous bounce back season from injuries and retirement rumors, Erik Johnson became a staple of consistency for the Avalanche this season, and one of the teams most important emotional leaders en route to their Stanley Cup victory. As we enter the final year of EJ's long contract,...

The player review/preview series continues with the hosts new favorite player, Bo Byram. Byram's rookie season was strife hardship and questions, after another concussion put the young defenseman's career in question and missing a majority of the season. However in the games Byram did play, he was nothing short of phenomenal. Arguably one of the best players in the early season and fundamental to...

The player review/preview series continues with everybody's favorite topic of discussion, Sam Girard. Girard had a tough season last year, interrupted by injury and some roller coaster play, but still showed why he's such an important piece of the Avs defensive system. After being knocked out of the lineup in the playoffs, can Girard bounce back with a healthy season next year and reach his potent...

The player review/preview series transitions now to the defense, and we begin with the safety blanket, Devon Toews. Toews had a phenomenal regular season and playoffs, setting career highs across the board, finishing top ten in Norris voting, and hoisting the Stanley Cup on top of it all. The Avalanche's defense would not, and have been proven to not function without Toews in the lineup. What can...

The player review/preview series continues by wrapping up the offense with the fourth line, talking about Darren Helm, Andrew Cogliano, and Logan O'Connor. Darren Helm went from forgotten piece to a centerpiece in Avalanche folklore after a legendary playoff performance, and now being brought back for another year, what can be expected of the veteran? After being acquired at the trade deadline, An...

The player review/preview series continues with JT Compher, rounding out the third line. Compher had an big bounce back last season, finding consistency in the Avs middle six forward group and putting up totals in line with his career averages. After some huge goals in the playoffs and entering the final year of his contract, can Compher claim a bigger role after some key departures from the Avs r...