Foppa and Footer Redux!

Today is an extraordinarily auspicious day here in Conversation land. As of last night Adam Foote was once again in the burgundy, blue and white of my beloved Colorado Avalanche. Add to that the notice that two days ago Peter the Great signed for the rest of the season and I'm simply beside myself with hockey bliss. The return of Stastny, Ryan Smyth and the otherworldly Joe Sackic means that a team that has been treading water with sufficient goaltending, Milan Hejduk and a bunch of kids is now an entirely different team. Sorry Pirate, here come the Avalanche. For the seven of you in The United States that understand the greatest game this side of Baseball you understand the possible impacts a week like this could mean. For my friends that have read this far to be polite you can browse away now if you like.

Foote is a serious presence at the Blue line and frees up the very talented Scott Hannan to muck with the oppositions second line. Add Ruslan Salei which they do tonight and you could have three great defensive pairings.

The offensive news is even better. And that's where this team seriously missed its guns. Foppa can be slid in to the first or second line Meaning in effect the teams leading goal scorer the electric Marek Svatos will be playing on the third line, The leader in points will center an improved second line whether it's Forsberg or Andrew Brunette playing opposite Hejduk. Yes, Forsberg is fragile at best at this point, but if he even makes the defense take notice as he used to that means Super Joe won't have to score through a blanket of top defensemen the way he has for the last three years. This is now a dangerous team with lots of new (old) energy.

Even if this simply gets us a chance to relive the pre-salary cap glory days of the Avalanche it is totally worth it.