OverDrive - Mitchell on the Avalanche's dominance on the roster, MacKinnon's impressive season and Necas fitting the team

Episode Date: March 19, 2025

Altitude Sports Analyst and Former NHLer John Mitchell joined OverDrive to discuss the Avalanche's season, Nathan MacKinnon's incredible skill set, the team roster from the Mikko Rantanen's trade, Martin Necas' fit on the roster, Mackenzie Blackwood leading the tandem, Gabriel Landeskog's return to the ice and more.

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Here's John Mitchell. How are you doing, John? Hey, how are you doing, fellas? We're doing well. Okay. How much fun is it to cover this Avalanche team? And this year in particular with how crazy it's been with trades and you know different guys coming and different guys going.

What's it been like? Well, it's awesome. Each and every night it's pretty fun to be able to watch these guys play and have the opportunity to talk about them. You have to give Chris McFarlane a lot of credit with what he's been able to do with this team and revamping it and making it look like a very good team that can tend for the Stanley Cup. So it certainly is a lot of fun.

Is it crazy that you're even saying that, Mitchie? It seems like a lot of teams when Rantan goes out the door, they'd be like, well, I guess this isn't our year. And although that did happen, there's a lot of optimism and there's a lot of good players that came the other way. And it looks like the Avs are going to be a serious contender. That's a good point, oh dog. For sure, when you have somebody the caliber of Miko Rantan and go out the door, you would think, okay, this team is, they must be selling, right? They're not buyers at this point, but obviously

they weren't able to get a deal done for whatever reason. He gets shipped out. You get Nacius, who's been a phenomenal addition. He's a young player. He's only 26 years old. This kid is electric. I'm not going to lie. Watch him tonight in Toronto and the way he can dance and maneuver through the neutral

zone and then even in the offensive zone. He is special because Miko, don't get me wrong, Miko is unbelievable. He's a even in the offensive zone he is special because you know Miko don't get me wrong Miko is unbelievable he's a superstar in the league he just he didn't possess quite the same attributes I guess that Nate just has where with his speed and his shiftyness and his elusiveness in the neutral zone and especially in the offensive zone so he's he's such a fun player to watch but again yeah when you have a guy like Nico go out the door, there's probably a lot of people scratching their head.

And around here in Denver, there were a lot of people that were upset because he's been such a dull ward and he's been such a big player for this team for many years. So we talk about the players, but at what point was it a massive shock that they made the change with not one goaltender, but both? Because I know out of Colorado, the Whispers are like, okay, is Georgiev going to get it done? Not sure what's going on? The guy with the big head, Anunin, he was there and he wasn't stopping pucks.

So all of a sudden it's like McFarland goes, both you gotta go. I mean how big of a shock was that? Well anytime you trade one goalie, obviously let alone two, there's gonna be a little bit of shock. But I don't think the shock was quite as big because of the struggles that the two previous goalies were having here in Colorado. I think it was a breath of fresh air. It was a little bit of a sigh of relief. And then to go out and get the caliber of goaltender that you did in Mackenzie Blackwood. And then also with, with your quote unquote backup goaltender,

who really, when he's in between the pipes, he really doesn't look like a backup goaltender at all. He's playing phenomenal with Wedgwood. So really when he's in between the pipes, he really doesn't look like a backup goaltender at all. He's playing phenomenal with Wedgwood. So you just went out and you shipped out two goalies that frankly were struggling and having a hard time stopping a beach ball and you replace them with two really, really good goaltenders and then to go and lock up Mackenzie Blackwood for five years within two weeks of getting them here, I don't think you could have asked for anything better if you're you know in

the organization or an Avalanche fan. With Avalanche analyst John Mitchell leaves Avs tonight so we're getting into the stretch run here while we're officially in it post trade deadline it's go time now and I think for the Heart Trophy it's down to three guys it It's either McKinnon, Dry Settle, or Hellebuck. I'm guessing you would side with McKinnon. If that's the case, can you make the case, John, for why Nathan McKinnon should win back-to-back Hart Trophies? Yeah, it would have to be Nate, obviously, in my opinion,

because what he does night in and night out is if something truly remarkable and and very special you know i mean old argue for some big goals back in the day but i don't know if he could consistently do that for eighty two games like me to begin again no he could exit the bank has received a good but they can't uh... the fact that he has received a good but they can't have a good but i don't know if that's a matter of fact i'd like to acknowledge my greatness i appreciate that there was but there are flashes of greatness yet the level of dark

but that's where they can make any he separates himself you know from every player in the league in my opinion is his ability to prepare for games and frankly dominate games at certain times with his speed. And I mean, he's mean to the ice. Like he beats the ice up when he skates. He's that powerful. And the way he stops on a dime for me is the big thing. He's not necessarily small. It's not like Nathan McKinnon is a 175-pound player.'s 5'11 or 6', he's 200 pounds, he's a big dude, but he moves out there like he's a smaller player. He's so quick and he's so shifty and the way he can stick handle and pass, stick handle

and shoot and get the puck off is like really nobody else in the league other than maybe Connor McDavid. That would be my case for him is his ability to do it every single night and be a major impact for his team every single night. And then just with the injuries that the Avs have had over the course of the year, I think three weeks ago was the first time all season long, with the exception of Gabe Landisgog,

that the Avalanche actually had their entire lineup on the ice all at the same time. So he's been able to do what he's been able to do with even a shorthanded team. What are you hearing on Landisgog because he's on the ice I think he's up here in Toronto I believe he took the trip. Is there any chance he can return by the playoffs and actually play? I sure hope so. I really do because he is an incredible human being. He's a phenomenal leader, unbelievable captain. Just his presence alone in the room, even if he played six or seven minutes a night, would be great for these kids.

And the younger players, obviously, that are in that dressing room. And then even the older guys. bringing back EJ, you know, the little things like that, it's starting to feel similar to that 2022 Stanley Cup run. And if they could get Gabe back, I mean, that would be, that would be obviously phenomenal. And I see he skated here or not here yesterday, but the day before he was at practice in Denver. I think he took,

I saw some pictures of him pregame skate this morning in Toronto. So he's putting some skating together. And usually it was, you know, you'd see him out for one practice and then he kind of disappear for a couple of weeks. But seeing him skate consecutively, I don't know, it seems like it's something could be brewing here. So, it's kind of a sensitive topic, but this Nutschusken character, he's such an unbelievable player. But is there an apprehension or concern because he had nine goals in eight games last year in the playoffs and obviously had some struggles, same thing in the year before in the playoffs and he's got 17 goals in 30 games this season. Like he's a unicorn, he's an absolute beast, but is there a little bit of like, okay, let's see if he can make it through the playoffs type of thing or, you know, where are you

at with that or what are the whispers around colorado well i i'm i'm sure the avalanche are going to take every opportunity to make sure that he he had everything that he needs to take care of him or when they get into the playoffs you know he might have you might have a full-time security guard by a hotel room or you know somebody that the cash to a tip at all times but that you know he needs to make sure that he, but he needs to make sure that

he does what he needs to do to help this team win. And obviously the past couple of years, he hasn't been able to do that. And I think that this year, he's kind of at his, he's on his last straw. He's already used that one up. So I can't imagine, but crazier things have happened obviously great catchin up with you john enjoy the game tonight will do it again down the road

thanks fellas and uh... a either i heard your fraud or something like that uh... it's made its way out there it's made its way to the rockies you can't escape. I'm here and you're a fraud. Yeah, it's not true. Fight back for me, please. If anyone says that, do not accept it, please, John. You're better than that. I think I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I kind of like it. All right, spread the word then. Whatever. Whichever way you want to go with it. All right, thanks, fellas. Thanks, John. Appreciate it, John Mitchell. An all-new digital radio station from coast to coast. Made in Canada, played in Canada.

On the free iHeart Radio app and at iHeartRadio.ca. It's gonna get loud.