Hockey Mountain High Podcast

Welcome back to another season! We've made it to training camp and the Avalanche are officially back in business with far better vibes than the last few years. We've got an early look as to how the lines are shaking out, and how the team is looking out of the offseason. Is this the deepest team the Avalanche have iced since 2022? What updates do we have with Martin Necas's contract extension? Is it reasonable for the expectation this season to be a trip to the Stanley Cup Final? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series finishes up with the long awaited return of Gabe Landeskog from a three year injury, after a successful return in the playoffs. What can we expect from the captain after three seasons off? What impact will he have on the locker room? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues by looking at the new and improved goaltending duo of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. After beginning last season with some of the worst goaltending possible, the trades for Blackwood and Wedgewood helped stablize the Avs season, but they both went through their own ebbs and flows. What could a full season of this duo look like? Could this turn out to be the best tandem the Avs have had in a long time? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues by looking at the projected third defensive pair for the Avalanche. Can the addition of Brent Burns bolster the back end, even at 40 years old? Can Sam Malinski continue the growth of his game and force himself into the long-term plans of the team? What are they going to do with two right handed shots on the pairing? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues by looking at the projected second defensive pair for the Avalanche. It should come as no surprise that Sam Girard and Josh Manson will still hold down the fort on defense together, but are they still enough to take the Avalanche to another level? With his new extension, can Manson stay healthy to keep providing good value defensively? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues by looking at the projected fourth line for the Avalanche this season. Depth has been an issue in the past, but heading into this season, Parker Kelly and Joel Kiviranta puts the Avalanche in a far better spot than they've been. Who can earn the final spot on the roster in training camp? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues by looking at the projected third line for the Avalanche this season. Already the depth for the Avalanche looks far stronger than it did a month ago with the addition of Victor Olofsson, but the question remains about who the third line center will be. Can Jack Drury grow his game and take the role full time, or is another move still incoming. Between Drury, Olofsson, and Colton, who is primed for the best offensive season. Where does O'Connor factor in after returning from his hip surgery? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with Val Nichushkin, the Avs ultimate wildcard. Once again, Val was great in the games that he played, but only played about half of the season. What could a full healthy season from Nichushkin look like? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with Devon Toews, the most consistent defenseman in the league. After another season of being the perfect top pair defenseman, can Toews keep it up in the second year of his contract? Is Toews still underrated? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with Artturi Lehkonen, the perfect archetype of a player who can do anything on the ice. After a career high 27 goals last season, could Lehkonen finally hit 30 with a fully healthy season? Will he thrive with more consistent linemates? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with Brock Nelson, after being acquired at the trade deadline and extended for three years this offseason. After several seasons of woes second line center, can Nelson finally be the soluition the Avs have needed? Which version of Nelson can the Avalanche expect to get? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with Martin Necas, after being acquired in the Mikko Rantanen trade and going into a contract year without an extension. Can Necas take another step in his first full season as an Av, and how confident should the Avalanche be in his skills to invest in him long term? What would a hypothetical Necas contract extension look like? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series continues with the best defenseman in the world Cale Makar after winning his second Norris Trophy. Is a 100 point season and a third Norris trophy in the cards for Makar this season? Where does Makar already rank among the best Avs players of all time? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason season review/preview series begins with Nathan MacKinnon after another dominant season. Is the best still to come from him this season? What more can he do to secure his legacy as he enters his 30s? Can he surpass Joe Sakic as the best player in Avalanche history eventually? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche finally pick up some scoring depth for the bottom six by signing three time 20 goal scorer Victor Olofsson to a one year contract, and now the bottom six really looks like it's beginning to round into shape with training camp less than a month away. Where will Olofsson fit into the lineup, and can the Avalanche cultivate his best qualities to get the quality scoring depth they've lacked for a few years now? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've reached the end of Season 5 of the show, the end of what's been a long and tumultuous season. To wrap up, we asked all of you one question now that we're months into the offseason. Do you believe that the Avalanche are currently heading in the right direction heading into 30th anniversary season? Is this team capable of still winning a Stanley Cup? Is this current management capable of getting this team over the finish line with MacKinnon and Makar in their primes? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joel Kiviranta is coming back to the Avalanche on a one year contract, helping the Avs bottom six finally begins to take shape. The fit for Kiviranta made too much sense after he went unsigned in the opening of free agency, but did the Avalanche sign him for too much at north of a million per year? How will he slot back into the bottom six, and where else can the Avalanche look to improve? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's two months away from the season, but the Avalanche still have some moves to make to finish building the roster. After months of speculation, it's time to build one last trade board. Who could the Avalanche acquire, unrealistic or otherwise? What positional needs do they need to target the most? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's officially August, and the slowest time of the hockey year is here as next season is now just two months away. So of course, it's time for standings predictions for next season. What are some of the biggest changes potentially coming this season across the league? What changes to the playoff field could we see? Also, are the Avalanche bringing back the Nordiques jerseys? Finally, mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche made a trade, but maybe not the roster move we were hoping for, trading former first round pick Oscar Olausson to San Jose for Danil Gushchin. While the trade itself is fine business, it does bring up a conversation around the Avs draft history over the last five years. Is it a problem that they haven't been able to draft and develop a talent in recent years? Also, updating our most hated teams lists from last season, and revealing why we hate pretty much every other team in the league. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Central division as a whole hasn't done a lot to get better so far this offseason, just like the Avalanche with only a handful of moves. So how do the Avalanche currently stack up against the rest of the Central, especially the teams like Dallas at the top? Is there any surprises that can push for a playoff spot, or will it remain only competition between the Stars and Jets for the top three spots? Most importantly, can the Avalanche win this division after finishing third the last two seasons? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been three seasons since the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, with only one playoff series win in that time frame. How much pressure is on the Avs this season to win another Stanley Cup this season, or at very least make a a deep playoff run? And if they can't, what changes could be coming as a result? Also, answering your mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Once again, the Avalanche have to figure what to do with giving a top of the lineup winger a contract extension this offseason. Last year it was Mikko Rantanen, now it's Martin Necas. How much should Necas be worth on his next contract, and what are the Avalanche going to do if these contract talks once again go sideways? What are the odds that Necas stays versus the odds of him being traded? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche 2025-26 schedule has been released, and they will officially be back in action on October 7th against the Los Angeles Kings. What are the most interesting parts of this coming seasons schedule, and what will the toughest stretches end up being? The offseason continues to slog on without much news, especially for the Avalanche, but Bo Byram's new deal in Buffalo is just more of the same from an organization that does not take winning seriously. Finally, answering you mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche have given Josh Manson a two year contract extension, signing him at just under $4m until 2028. How important is it to keep Manson around, and does this deal make sense for the future of the Avalanche's defense? How much risk are they taking considering Manson's injury history, and does his upside when healthy make it worth the risk? Also, Dave Hakstol is the new Assistant Coach in Colorado. Is this a good hire, and what changes can he bring, most importantly to the Avs powerplay? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One week into free agency, Brent Burns is so far the lone signing the Avalanche have made this offseason, and still have plenty of cap space to spend. How will Brent Burns fit with the Avalanche as he enters his 22nd season, as the oldest contracted player in the NHL? But surely this isn't the only move the Avalanche make, what else in the docket? And why is this offseason so slow across the league? We also get caught up on all of your mailbag questions, from Brent Burns = Ray Bourque, Mitch Marner, all the way to the trade deadline next season! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche stayed quiet during what was a pretty boring first day of free agency, but there are rumors surrounding them being on the top free agency remaining, Nikolaj Ehlers. How could they make Ehlers work in Colorado, and would that have to mean the end of Martin Necas in Colorado? Is that the right move to make? The Avs also extended Parker Kelly for four years, keeping him as the anchor on the fourth line. But when are the moves going to be made? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche have the room for the first time in a while to be players in free agency this year, who could they be looking to sign when free agency opens? Who could the best fits be, and who could provide the best value? Are there any more trades on the horizon? Sam Malinski also signs a one year contract, how will his game grow next season? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche have made their move to open up cap space, sending Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the 77th overall pick, a 2027 2nd round pick, and prospect Gavin Brindley. With just shy of $9M in cap space heading into free agency, a lot of interesting scenarios have suddenly opened up for the Avalanche as they look to finish builiding their roster. What moves could be next? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche still have work to do this offseason to fill out the rest of their roster, and heading into the NHL Draft on Friday, trades might be just around the corner. How can the Avalanche still make the necessary moves to build a team that can win the Stanley Cup next season? What players are going to have to get traded to make the space necessary to make upgrades to defense and bottom six? Who could the Avs be targetting in free agency and by trades? Finally, answering your mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Florida Panthers are back to back Stanley Cup Champions, after one the more dominant title runs we've seen post lockout. What lessons can the Avalanche learn from them going forward. Perhaps a more interesting question, who was better, the 2022 Avalanche or the 2025 Panthers? Who are the greatest Stanley Cup Champions from the last decade? Also, the offseason is already well underway around the league, as moves are already starting to come through. What is the Avs next order of business going to be? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of back to back Stanley Cups after dominating the Oilers in Game 5, showing once again that are borderline unstoppable when they play their game. If they finish the job, where will they rank among best teams of all time in the salary cap era. But while we're stuck in this waiting period for the offseason to begin, we're surrounded by rumors about what the Avalanche could do, but what realistically can they do ahead of next season? Also, if you were commissioner for a day, what would you change about the NHL? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cale Makar won the second Norris Trophy of his career, beating out Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes without much doubt by getting 176 of a possible 191 first place votes. How many more Norris's can he win over the next several years? Nathan MacKinnon also missed out on being a finalist by a single point, will he come back with a vengeance next season. The Panthers and Oilers continue to trade haymakers in the Stanley Cup Final, who will take the lead in Game 5. Finally, talking about the trade rumors surrounding the Avs as the offseason gets ready to kick off. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Stanley Cup Final has been some of the best hockey ever played through the first two games as the Panthers and Oilers go back and forth for a 1-1 tie. Can Florida and Edmonton keep it up as the series shifts to Florida? Logan O'Connor had a second surgery on his hip in just over a year, knocking him out of the lineup for 5-6 months. What can be expected out of him when he returns, and how important is he to this Avs team? Finally, Pete Deboer was finally fired by the Dallas Stars after lots of speculation. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche have re-signed Brock Nelson to a three year contract extension worth $7.5m a year, finally bringing in a solution at second line center that they desperately needed. With MacKinnon, Nelson, Coyle, and Drury down the middle, do they finally have the center depth necessary to win again? Can Nelson provide the production that's needed to make the Avs second line dangerous? With their desperate need at 2C finally solved, the Avalanche can begin to look at how they can finish improving their roster for next season, and bring this team back to a level that can win a Stanley Cup. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers is finally almost here after a week of waiting, is Final the closest series in recent memory? Who has the edge in a series this close when both teams are operating at such a high level? Martin Necas has begun to be involved in sporadic trade rumors, some questioning if he enjoyed his time in Colorado, though those reports are dubious at best. Could the Stars fire Deboer and trade Jason Robertson in the same offseason? Finally, mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dallas Stars are eliminated in the Conference Final again, but now's not the time to mock them, what did the Oilers do that the Avalanche couldn't? Ilya Nabakov has also signed his entry level contract with the team, and will be in North America at the conclusion of the next KHL season. What's a realistic timeline for him to contribute in the NHL. Also, Brock Nelson and the Avalanche have reportedly begun contract talks, is it possible to keep him? Is there a better option on the market? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Conference Finals are both 3-1 as the Oilers and Panthers are on the verge of advancing to a rematch of last years Stanley Cup Final, so what lessons can be taken away for the Avalanche, especially as they watch the Oilers dismantle the Stars for the second straight year? With the playoffs once again seemingly losing steam as we get farther in, is it time once again to revisit the effectiveness of the playoff format? Finally, answering your mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche have some work to do on building the team for next offseason, especially at center, and will likely need to take a look at the UFA market to get back into the Stanley Cup picture next season. Who should they be looking for, and how aggressively do they need to pursue. Now that the Conference Finals are set, is there anything to three of the same teams being in final four again this year? What's next for the Toronto Maple Leafs after a 9th straight playoff failure? Also, answering your mailbag questions! Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This offseason for the Avs is one of the most important in recent history, and the first order of business is figuring what to do with their own unrestricted free agents. Brock Nelson, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren, Erik Johnson, Joel Kiviranta, and Jimmy Vesey all have the UFA tag coming up, who is the most likely to stay and who is the most likely to go? Who is the most important to keep? What are some reasonable prices to have them stick around? Also, looking around the playoffs as the second round wraps up. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four months after Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen to Carolina, things could not be going worse. Rantanen somehow ends up in Dallas, ends the Avs season, and is the favorite to win the Conn Smythe for the Stanley Cup favorite Stars. Total disaster. But does that mean that the trade was really the wrong decision? What details from when this trade happened are we forgetting? Griffin and Christian take a look back at the process of the Rantanen deal, the ridiculous circumstances that landed him in Dallas, and how the story of this trade is still being written. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The season is over. A stunning third period collapse in Game 7 has brought the 2024-25 season to an abrupt end, where Mikko Rantanen scored a third period hat trick as the Avalanche blew a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes to go. This is the fourth straight Game 7 loss with this core, the seventh in a row as a franchise, and the third straight playoff loss to Dallas with this core. They had no business losing this series, but they found a way to do it, and now a very long and uncomfortable offseason awaits. Changes are probably coming. Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche stay alive in Game 6 with a chaotic 7-4 victory over the Stars to force a do or die Game 7 back in Dallas on Saturday night. It was far from perfect, had plenty of chaos, but was enough for the Avs to live and fight another day. Plenty of the players that they needed to produce came through, . Heading into Game 7, nothing has changed. This was the easy part, now comes the hard part of finishing the job this time around and winning a Game 7 on the road in Dallas. Can they do it and slay all their demons in one go? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avs are faced with elimination after everything that could go wrong, went wrong in Game 5 vs. Dallas in a 6-2 loss. With all the usual excuses gone for the Avalanche, it is now time to put up or shut up. There's no time to talk about 'when' or 'if' anymore with this team, they have to 'be', or we're in for a long offseason with uncomfortable questions about the players who haven't pulled their weight in this series. Here why's the Avs are going to get it done. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Now that was much better. The Avalanche absolutely dominated the Stars in Game 4, playing as close to a perfect game as you can get to tie the series at 2-2 heading back to Dallas for Game 5. Best of all, Gabe Landeskog scores his first goal since 2022, and has shattered all expectations in his return by being one of the best players on the ice in both games. If the Avalanche keep up this level of play down the stretch in this series, they're going to be in great shape. Can we expect to see more of Game 3 or Game 4 the rest of the series? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

That was embarrassing. The Avs got Gabe Landeskog back after over 1,000 days out of the lineup, but couldn't muster the energy necessary to close this one out and get him a victory in his return. The powerplay goes 0/6 including multiple late game powerplays that completely fell flat, which made all of the difference. Game 4 has now become a crossroads where they can get back in this series before heading to Dallas, or for the second straight year lose it all on home ice. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This series is tied at 1-1 following a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2 to the Dallas Stars. The Avs controlled most of play, but a lackluster third period and a critical mistake in overtime cost them the chance to take a 2-0 lead back to Denver. This is going to be a back and forth series, so this can't be a emotional hangover going into a critical pair of games back home with Landeskog's return potentially on the horizon. Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Avalanche take a 1-0 series lead over the Dallas Stars on the back of a statement 5-1 victory on the road to open the series, highlighted by Mackenzie Blackwood's sensational performance in his playoff debut. The Avs looked like the better team for most of this game, stifling the Stars at even strength and pulling away late off the back off 2 goals and 3 points from Nathan MacKinnon, and points from all but six skaters in the lineup. While there is room for improvement, this was an incredibly encouraging opening performance from Colorado, but can they keep it up and come home with a 2-0 series lead? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The playoffs are here, and it's time for one of the most important playoff series of the MacKinnon/Makar era. This rematch of the Dallas Stars has everything you could possibly hope for in a playoff series between the rematch of last year, the return of Landeskog, and taking on Mikko Rantanen for the first time. Are the Avs better equipped to beat Dallas than they've been in the past with their new depth? What are the biggest X-Factors for both sides? Is Dallas going to be healthy enough to stay in this series? Can the Avs finally overcome this Dallas team and wash away the sting of the last two series? Send questions to the mailbag here: https://forms.gle/7ytuJfsiTr1x3VDt6 Keep up with everything on the site at HockeyMountainHigh.com Follow the show: @HockeyMTNPod Follow Griffin: @GRYoungs Follow Christian: @Christian_Bolle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.