Rinkside with Aarif Deen

This episode of Hockey Mountain High looks at Colorado's recent trade for defenseman Devon Toews and the trickle-down effect it has on the Avalanche's blue line. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen talk defensive units, expansion draft protection and Sakic's brilliance followed by one of the more entertaining 'Three Stars' segments.

Hockey Mountain High examines the Avalanche's acquisition of Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nikita Zadorov. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look at the trade from both sides, including Dennis Gilbert and Anton Lindholm's involvement in the deal. The guys then look at Colorado's recent restricted free agent signings and arbitration news before looking at who's left on the ma...

Following the 2020 NHL Draft, this episode of Hockey Mountain High discusses the virtual draft format before breaking down all of the Avalanche's draft picks. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look at the Avs' draft trends in recent years and their ability to develop late-round picks. The show wraps up with a look around the league at some of the biggest headlines and moves that have happened.

Hockey Mountain High comes to you before the busy week ahead. With the upcoming draft, free agency and trade market heating up, hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen discuss Colorado's potential moves in free agency. The guys also talk about early extensions for Cale Makar, Gabe Landeskog and this years RFA's before getting into the goalie conversation

Hockey Mountain High is joined by prospect guru Tony Ferrari to discuss the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Ferrari specializes in all things draft and spends some time with JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen to look at some of the names to keep an eye on, not only for the Avs, but the league as a whole. The guys look at sleepers, players with size and of course, goaltenders!

This episode of Hockey Mountain High reviews the NHL Awards show. Specifically, how the actual show looked on TV as well as reactions to Cale Makar winning the Calder and Nathan MacKinnon finishing empty-handed. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen then give their two cents on the voting process and the power of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The guys then discuss an article from ESPN on l...

The Avalanche has begun to plan for the offseason ahead and Hockey Mountain High is here to break it all down. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen start the show discussing Logan O'Connor's new two-year deal. The guys then look at a few rumors surrounding the Avs and come up with a few crazy ideas of their own. The show wraps up with a quick look at the upcoming NHL Awards show and Nathan MacKinnon and...

In the first official off-season podcast of the year, Hockey Mountain High hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen give their thoughts on Nathan MacKinnon winning the Lady Byng trophy. The guys then look at the recent comments from general manager Joe Sakic and head coach Jared Bednar and what they mean for the upcoming free agency market. The show wraps up with a look at Martin Kaut's recent move and what...

This episode of Hockey Mountain High puts a bow on the Avalanche's series loss against the Dallas Stars and looks at all that went wrong in Game 7 and the playoffs. In reaction to the disappointing loss, hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen take an early look at the offseason and what the Avs need to do to continue to develop as a contender.

Hockey Mountain High comes to you the morning after the Avalanche's Game 6 victory to break down the win ahead of a winner-take-all Game 7. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look at the Dallas Stars mindset, the stellar defensive structure from the Avs and of course, goaltending!

This episode of Hockey Mountain High follows Colorado's 6-3 game 5 win over the Dallas Stars and looks at all that went in to the Avalanche staying alive when all hope seemed to be dwindling. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen break down some of the biggest factors for the Avs in the win as well as what it will take to win game 6 and, ultimately, the series.

Hockey Mountain High comes to you the morning after the Avalanche's Game 3 victory over the Dallas Stars. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen discuss the injury issues Colorado has faced along with the difficulties the Stars have provided for the Avs before shifting to a brief Game 4 preview. Before the hockey talk, Aarif speaks his mind about the postponement of NBA games and how the NHL dropped the ba...

This episode of Hockey Mountain High breaks down the disappointing 5-3 Avalanche loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the second round. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen dive into the many storylines from the Round 2 opener such as what Dallas did right, all the injuries for Colorado and coach Jared Bednar calling out his middle-six forward group.

This episode of Hockey Mountain High puts a bow on the Colorado-Arizona series looking at all the major aspects of the Avs' first-round series win. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look ahead at the upcoming series with the Dallas Stars and breakdown the strengths and weaknesses the Star will present in round two.

Following the Avalanche's pivotal 7-1 game-four victory over the Arizona Coyotes, Hockey Mountain High breaks down all the storylines through four games. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look at the coaching battle that has ensued in the series, the early offensive frustrations for the Avs and which players have been major contributors and which need to adjust to better help the team succeed as they...

This episode of Hockey Mountain High previews the Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes opening-round playoff series. Host JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen examine the round-robin set of games for the Avs and what needs to continue stylistically for guaranteed success against the Coyotes.

This episode of Hockey Mountain High comes to you immediately following the 4-0 beatdown the Avalanche handed the Dallas Stars in Game 2 of round-robin play. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen take a look at the newest line combinations used by Avs coach Jared Bednar, Joonas Donskoi's latest offensive surge and Pavel Francouz's shutout in his first career playoff appearance.

Following the Avalanche's 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, Hockey Mountain High returns to assess the historic buzzer-beating victory and Colorado's performance as a whole. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look ahead at Game 2 against the Dallas Stars and what they hope and expect to see from the Avs to seal a victory and perhaps even the top seed in the Western Conference.

On the eve of the NHL's return to play, Hockey Mountain High opens with a look at Colorado's exhibition win over the Minnesota Wild. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look ahead and breakdwon what to expect in the round robin three-game set ahead of the Avs as they prepare for the St. Louis Blues in game one of the COVID Cup. The show wraps up with some quick previews and prediction from around the le...

With a new name and new look, Hockey Mountain High kicks off its re-branded show by diving into the final week of the Avalanche's Return To Play training camp. As phase 3 comes to an end and the teams head to their respective hub cities, hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen breakdown Avs' lineup and some of the biggest storylines surrounding the squad just ahead of the team's flight to Edmonton. RIP Aval...

Following the first week of phase three of the NHL's return to play, Avalanche Talk gives you all you need to know from the week that was in the Colorado Avalanche training camp. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen look at everything from pace of practice, line combinations to training camp standouts to help paint the picture of the current state of the Avs as they inch closer to the official NHL restar...

This week's episode of Avalanche Talk covers all of the finalized plans for the NHL restart. Recording shortly after the release of the new schedule, hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen take a look at what lies ahead for the Colorado Avalanche as they creep closer to the start of Phase 3 of hockey's return to play plan.

Avalanche Talk returns with a Fourth of July episode looking at all the topics of negotiation between the NHL and NHLPA regarding the return to play plan. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen discuss all of the hot button issues at hand and how they affect the organizations, players and fans alike.

JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen connect the day after the NHL Draft lottery for a quick reaction on the drama that ensued. The discussion then moves to the Avalanche players that are back in Denver and skating in Phase 2 of the restart and all the latest on the NHL's hub city selection.

After a handful of players recently tested positive for COVID-19, Avalanche Talk takes a look at the rest of phase two in the NHL's plan to return to play and how this news might impact phases three and four. Hosts JJ Jerez and Aarif Deen discuss the importance of anonymity when it pertains to positive COVID test results in players and the show wraps up with a look at some of the latest off-ice ne...