Avalanche could be relying more on youngsters next season

From Rick Sadowski of the Rocky Mountain News:

Because Sakic and Peter Forsberg are still debating whether to return for another season and free agent Andrew Brunette departed for Minnesota, the Avalanche has mapped out big plans for youngsters like Jones and Hensick.

Jones, 23, is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound power forward, a right wing who had two goals and four assists in 27 regular-season games with the Avalanche and one assist in 10 playoff games. A Hobey Baker Award finalist as a junior at Dartmouth in 2006-07, Jones was summoned three times from the Lake Erie Monsters in the American Hockey League, where he had 14 goals and 16 assists in 45 games.

Hensick, 22, is a 5-10, 185-pounder whose strengths are speed and the
ability to dart into openings. He can play center and on the wing.

Read the entire story here.

The Avalanche is eventually going to need to rely on its young core, and players like Hensick and Jones definitely give hope for a strong future.

Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

F T.J. Hensick, Colorado Avalanche
During his first two months with Colorado, Hensick failed to be a consistent scorer, only totaling one goal and three assists. Since then, Hensick has heated up, scoring five goals and one assist over his last four games. The forward is currently riding a four game point streak and has been a valuable asset on the power-play. Although Hensick has been only averaging around 10 minutes per game, his ice time should continue to rise due to his recent scoring outbursts.
Fantasy Take: Hensick will continue to get his opportunities with Ryan Smyth and Joe Sakic still sideliend. Showing that he can score in the NHL, Hensick makes for a good injury replacement if needed.

D Joe Corvo, Ottawa Senators
Corvo had an off month in January going on several scoreless streaks while only ending up with three points. Determined to make an impact on the scoresheet again, Corvo has shown some offensive touch this month, scoring one goal and three assists in his last three games. The former Los Angeles King is also firing away, already having 15 SOG this month (Corvo only had 28 SOG in all of January). Look for Corvo to forget all about his horrid January and once again be a dominant defenseman.
Fantasy Take: Corvo endured an awful January but has shown signs of life this month and is worthy of a spot on your roster.
Illegal Curve correspondant Richy P's take: "it only enhances his value to have been traded and to be on [Carolina's] top pp unit".

F John Madden, New Jersey Devils
Clearly having a much more productive year than last year, Madden has put up 14 goals to go along with 32 points in 54 games played. The forward has struggled to score recently, but has made up for it by registering six assists in his last seven games. Although the forward is already 34 years old, he has shown that he can still be a decent fantasy producer. Currently fourth on the Devils in team scoring, Madden is enjoying a rebound year from last year, where it took him 74 games to reach the 32 points that he has now.
Fantasy Take: Madden isn't going to give you much, but he has produced well enough to be a decent lower end option at forward.

F Richard Zednik, Florida Panthers
After going scoreless throughout the month of January, Zednik has re-found his scoring touch, registering nine points in his last four games. His highest output came earlier this week when he notched a hattrick, as well as one assist in Florida's 8-0 win over Ottawa. Receiving time on the power-play, Zednik has totaled three pp goals and one pp assist in his last three games. Currently, the forward has 15 goals and 26 points on the year.
Fantasy Take: Zednik's recent outburst has made him a popular pickup lately, but don't expect it to last. The forward is too inconsistent and fails to get on the scoresheet too often. Only use Zednik as a lower-end option at forward.
(Note: Although Zednik may be out for awhile, remember he went out on top!)


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TSN wonders where Jarome Iginla fits in on the all-time list of Flamers.
2. Blackhawks winger Tuomo Ruutu was mistakenly taken into custody yesterday in Bensenville, IL after police mistook him for a robbery suspect.
3. No criminal charges will be laid in the 8-year old brawl fiasco in Guelph.
4. A bus carrying the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL was involved in a crash, seriously injuring the driver.
5. Alan Weiss with a report on prospects currently playing in the ECHL. (Hat tip, Rocky)
6. CHL News and Notes.
7. The American Hockey League announces its Hall of Fame Class for 2008.
8. Eric Duhatschek campaigns for a larger ice surface.
9. Are you sick of all the Leafs/JFJ talk? Me too. Go here for relief.
10. The Fan590 will retract its allegation that Sean Avery made disparaging remarks about Jason Blake.
11. Jim Matheson notes that the Oilers must make re-signing Tom Gilbert a priority.
12. A look around the American Hockey League.
13. Boy Devereaux satisfies his taste for music by starting up a music label.
14. Markus Naslund is enjoying a resurgence in Vancouver.
15. An artist has created nude paintings of Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson. (Hat tip, Amanda)
16. The Lundqvist brothers are each other's biggest fans.
17. Shawn P. Roarke lists 10 Free Agents who might wish they had stayed at home.
18. Fanhouse notes that Kipper may be out of shape and Dion Phaneuf is full of himself.
19. Want old stats? David Staples has 'em for you.
20. Alex Kovalev happy with his production, but would like more even-strength goals.
21. James Duthie decries the trap, but notes that it is effective.
22. Mike Comrie says that dating Hilary Duff has gained him a lot of friends in the NHL.
23. The Avs recall TJ Hensick.
24. NHL Media Guides provide a wealth of info about players personal lives.
25. Check out the updates on the Hockey News Series about Roseau, MN. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.