Avalanche Ink Podcast Colorado Avalanche podcast by The Denver Post

In the latest episode of the Avalanche Ink podcast, beat writer Corey Masisak talks with Joe Smith, who covers the Minnesota Wild and NHL at large for The Athletic. Among the topics discussed:

+ His memories covering the other side of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final as a Lightning beat writer.

+ What he learned from the Lightning's mini-dynasty and what the Avalanche might have in store.

+ What went wrong for the Wild this year, and is there hope for the Avs' division rivals?

+ What is Nikita Kucherov's case for the Hart Trophy?

+ Brock Faber vs. Connor Bedard in the other hotly contested NHL award race, the Calder Trophy.

+ What it's like to get blindfolded, spun around and throw darts.

In the latest episode of the Avalanche Ink podcast presented by Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, beat writer Corey Masisak checks in with The Athletic's Peter Baugh, who used to cover the Avs and now writes about the New York Rangers. Among the topics discussed:

+ Peter's transition to covering the Rangers, with some Islanders and Devils mixed in, in the middle of the season.

+ Are the Rangers actually one of the best teams in the league, or are there still reasons to doubt them in the postseason?

+ How this Avalanche team looks different than it did before Peter went to New York

+ How are the Avs going to handle the pending salary cap crunch with some many pending free agents having great seasons?

In a bonus edition of the Avalanche Ink podcast, beat writer Corey Masisak speaks with Ryan Lambert of Elite Prospects and Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now to focus on the NCAA hockey tournament and the mystery man, Nikolai Kovalenko. Among the topics discussed:

+ How does DU stack up against the other title contenders?

+ What could be the Pios' biggest weakness?

+ What needs to happen for Colorado College to make the tournament?

+ Is the Eastern Conference, beyond the Florida Panthers, just kind of meh?

+ What are the strengths of Kovalenko's game?

+ Why is he different than most Russian prospects?

+ Where could he fit for the Avs?

+ What are the potential pitfalls for the Avs despite the recent hot streak?

In the latest episode of the Avalanche Ink podcast, beat writer Corey Masisak chats with Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic for a debrief of what transpired at the NHL trade deadline. Among the topics discussed:

+ Some thoughts on the instant classic in Edmonton between the Avs and Oilers.

+ How did Colorado fare at the trade deadline?

+ Comparing the potential fits of Chris Tanev and Sean Walker with the Avs.

+ Did Vancouver and Dallas do enough to keep pace with the other powers who made more moves?

+ Is Florida the class of the Eastern Conference?

+ What will Nikolai Kovalenko's arrival mean for the Avs?

In the inaugural edition of Avs Ink, beat writer Corey Masisak talks with Chris Johnston of The Athletic, TSN and the Steve Dangle Podcast Network about where the Avs stand leading into the NHL trade deadline. Among the topics discussed:

+ Colorado makes two big trades, adding Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker while subtracting Bo Byram and Ryan Johansen.

+ The market for Jake Guentzel, the No. 1 player on Johnston's NHL trade board, and how that relates to the Avs.

+ The fascination with Sidney Crosby potentially joining forces with Nathan MacKinnon if he ever decides to pursue a championship outside of Pittsburgh.

+ Valeri Nichushkin's pending return to the lineup.

+Nikoali Kovalenko, the ultimate wild card.

Denver Post hockey writer Mike Chambers is again joined by Marty Richardson, executive director of Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, in the latest episode of Traffic in Front of the Net.