2008–09 Colorado Avalanche season

2008–09 Colorado Avalanche
Division5th Northwest
Conference15th Western
2008–09 record32-45-5
Home record18-21-2
Road record14-24-3
Goals for199
Goals against257
Team information
General managerFrançois Giguère
CoachTony Granato
CaptainJoe Sakic
Alternate captainsAdam Foote
Ian Laperrière
Milan Hejduk
Ryan Smyth
ArenaPepsi Center
Average attendance15,429
Team leaders
GoalsMilan Hejduk (27)
AssistsRyan Smyth (33)
PointsMilan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth (59)
Penalty minutesIan Laperrière (163)
Plus/minusBen Guite (+2)
WinsPeter Budaj (20)
Goals against averagePeter Budaj (2.86)

The 2008–09 Colorado Avalanche season was the franchise's 37th season, 30th in the National Hockey League, and 14th as the Colorado Avalanche.

The team finished last place in its division and conference for the first time since 1991–92 when they were still the Quebec Nordiques, and did not qualify for the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Pre-season

Regular season

The Avalanche struggled offensively, finishing 30th overall in scoring with just 192 goals (excluding 7 shootout-winning goals). They were also shut out a league-high 12 times, tied with the Los Angeles Kings.[1][2][3]

Divisional standings

Northwest Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 y – Vancouver Canucks 82 45 27 10 246 220 100
2 Calgary Flames 82 46 30 6 254 248 98
3 Minnesota Wild 82 40 33 9 219 200 89
4 Edmonton Oilers 82 38 35 9 234 248 85
5 Colorado Avalanche 82 32 45 5 199 257 69

Conference standings

Western Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – San Jose Sharks PA 82 53 18 11 257 204 117
2 y – Detroit Red Wings CE 82 51 21 10 295 244 112
3 y – Vancouver Canucks NW 82 45 27 10 246 220 100
4 Chicago Blackhawks CE 82 46 24 12 264 216 104
5 Calgary Flames NW 82 46 30 6 254 248 98
6 St. Louis Blues CE 82 41 31 10 233 233 92
7 Columbus Blue Jackets CE 82 41 31 10 226 230 92
8 Anaheim Ducks PA 82 42 33 7 245 238 91
8.5
9 Minnesota Wild NW 82 40 33 9 219 200 89
10 Nashville Predators CE 82 40 34 8 213 233 88
11 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 38 35 9 234 248 85
12 Dallas Stars PA 82 36 35 11 230 257 83
13 Phoenix Coyotes PA 82 36 39 7 208 252 79
14 Los Angeles Kings PA 82 34 37 11 207 234 79
15 Colorado Avalanche NW 82 32 45 5 199 257 69

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, p – Presidents' Trophy winner
CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division


Schedule and results

  • Green background indicates win (2 points).
  • Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
  • White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).
2008–09 Game log
October: 5–5–0 (Home: 3–2–0; Road: 2–3–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 9 Boston Bruins 5 - 4 Budaj 18,007 0-1-0 0
2 October 12 @ Edmonton Oilers 3 - 2 Budaj 16,839 0-2-0 0
3 October 14 @ Calgary Flames 5 - 4 Budaj 19,289 0-3-0 0
4 October 16 Philadelphia Flyers 5 - 2 Raycroft 18,007 1-3-0 2
5 October 18 @ Dallas Stars 5 - 4 Raycroft 17,151 2-3-0 4
6 October 20 @ Los Angeles Kings 4 - 3 Budaj 13,891 3-3-0 6
7 October 23 Edmonton Oilers 4 - 1 Budaj 14,898 4-3-0 8
8 October 25 Buffalo Sabres 2 - 1 SO (3-2) Budaj 18,007 5-3-0 10
9 October 28 @ Calgary Flames 3 - 0 Budaj 19,289 5-4-0 10
10 October 30 Columbus Blue Jackets 4 - 2 Raycroft 14,945 5-5-0 10
November: 6–7–0 (Home: 3–5–0; Road: 3–2–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
11 November 2 San Jose Sharks 5 - 3 Budaj 15,452 5-6-0 10
12 November 3 @ Chicago Blackhawks 6 - 2 Budaj 21,142 5-7-0 10
13 November 6 Minnesota Wild 3 - 1 Budaj 14,562 5-8-0 10
14 November 8 Nashville Predators 1 - 0 Budaj 18,007 6-8-0 12
15 November 12 @ Vancouver Canucks 2 - 1 SO (2-1) Budaj 18,630 7-8-0 14
16 November 15 @ Edmonton Oilers 3 - 2 SO (2-1) Budaj 16,839 8-8-0 16
17 November 18 @ Calgary Flames 4 - 1 Budaj 19,289 8-9-0 16
18 November 20 Calgary Flames 1 - 0 Budaj 14,536 8-10-0 16
19 November 22 @ Los Angeles Kings 4 - 3 SO (2-0) Budaj 18,118 9-10-0 18
20 November 24 Anaheim Ducks 4 - 1 Budaj 16,632 9-11-0 18
21 November 26 St. Louis Blues 3 - 1 Budaj 14,568 10-11-0 20
22 November 28 Phoenix Coyotes 2 - 1 Budaj 14,031 10-12-0 20
23 November 29 Tampa Bay Lightning 4 - 3 Raycroft 18,007 11-12-0 22
December: 8–5–1 (Home: 5–1–0; Road: 3–4–1)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
24 December 1 @ Minnesota Wild 6 - 5 Budaj 18,568 12-12-0 24
25 December 4 @ Nashville Predators 3 - 2 Budaj 12,717 12-13-0 24
26 December 5 @ Dallas Stars 2 - 1 SO (2-1) Budaj 16,651 12-13-1 25
27 December 7 Vancouver Canucks 5 - 4 SO (3-1) Budaj 13,411 13-13-1 27
28 December 9 Los Angeles Kings 6 - 1 Budaj 14,122 14-13-1 29
29 December 12 Chicago Blackhawks 4 - 3 Budaj 17,569 14-14-1 29
30 December 15 @ Detroit Red Wings 3 - 2 Raycroft 19,154 15-14-1 31
31 December 16 @ Philadelphia Flyers 5 - 2 Budaj 19,219 15-15-1 31
32 December 18 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 2 - 1 SO (1-0) Raycroft 16,333 16-15-1 33
33 December 21 @ Florida Panthers 3 - 0 Budaj 16,132 16-16-1 33
34 December 23 Phoenix Coyotes 5 - 4 OT Raycroft 14,625 17-16-1 35
35 December 27 Detroit Red Wings 4 - 3 SO (1-0) Budaj 18,007 18-16-1 37
36 December 29 Nashville Predators 5 - 1 Budaj 15,643 19-16-1 39
37 December 31 @ Phoenix Coyotes 3 - 1 Budaj 15,008 19-17-1 39
January: 4–9–0 (Home: 3–7–0; Road: 1–2–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
38 January 2 Columbus Blue Jackets 6 - 1 Budaj 14,482 19-18-1 39
39 January 4 Minnesota Wild 2 - 0 Budaj 14,125 19-19-1 39
40 January 6 @ Nashville Predators 2 - 1 Raycroft 13,598 20-19-1 41
41 January 8 Chicago Blackhawks 2 - 1 Raycroft 15,174 21-19-1 43
42 January 10 Pittsburgh Penguins 5 - 3 Raycroft 17,908 22-19-1 45
43 January 13 @ Columbus Blue Jackets 4 - 3 Raycroft 15,343 22-20-1 45
44 January 15 @ St. Louis Blues 5 - 2 Budaj 17,545 22-21-1 45
45 January 16 Edmonton Oilers 3 - 2 Raycroft 15,681 22-22-1 45
46 January 18 Calgary Flames 6 - 2 Budaj 16,113 23-22-1 47
47 January 21 Los Angeles Kings 6 - 5 Raycroft 13,289 23-23-1 47
48 January 27 San Jose Sharks 3 - 0 Raycroft 14,592 23-24-1 47
49 January 29 Toronto Maple Leafs 7 - 4 Raycroft 15,216 23-25-1 47
50 January 31 Anaheim Ducks 4 - 3 Budaj 17,652 23-26-1 47
February: 5–8–0 (Home: 3–1–0; Road: 2–7–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
51 February 2 Calgary Flames 4 - 3 Budaj 13,409 24-26-1 49
52 February 5 Dallas Stars 3 - 2 Budaj 13,624 25-26-1 51
53 February 7 @ St. Louis Blues 4 - 1 Budaj 19,250 25-27-1 51
54 February 10 @ Columbus Blue Jackets 3 - 0 Budaj 14,506 25-28-1 51
55 February 11 @ Minnesota Wild 3 - 2 Raycroft 18,568 25-29-1 51
56 February 13 Montreal Canadiens 4 - 2 Budaj 17,514 25-30-1 51
57 February 15 @ Detroit Red Wings 6 - 5 SO (2-1) Raycroft 20,066 26-30-1 53
58 February 17 Ottawa Senators 3 - 2 OT Raycroft 15,237 27-30-1 55
59 February 20 @ Washington Capitals 4 - 1 Raycroft 18,277 28-30-1 57
60 February 22 @ Carolina Hurricanes 5 - 2 Raycroft 18,680 28-31-1 57
61 February 24 @ Atlanta Thrashers 4 - 3 Budaj 12,101 28-32-1 57
62 February 26 @ New Jersey Devils 4 - 0 Raycroft 16,107 28-33-1 57
63 February 28 @ New York Rangers 6 - 1 Budaj 18,200 28-34-1 57
March: 3–9–1 (Home: 1–5–0; Road: 2–4–1)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
64 March 2 @ New York Islanders 4 - 2 Raycroft 11,298 28-35-1 57
65 March 4 Detroit Red Wings 3 - 2 Raycroft 18,007 28-36-1 57
66 March 8 @ Chicago Blackhawks 5 - 1 Budaj 22,121 29-36-1 59
67 March 10 Atlanta Thrashers 3 - 0 Budaj 13,608 29-37-1 59
68 March 12 Minnesota Wild 2 - 1 SO (2-0) Budaj 14,213 30-37-1 61
69 March 14 @ Edmonton Oilers 3 - 2 OT Budaj 16,839 31-37-1 63
70 March 15 @ Vancouver Canucks 4 - 2 Raycroft 18,630 31-38-1 63
71 March 17 @ Minnesota Wild 3 - 2 SO (2-1) Budaj 18,568 31-38-2 64
72 March 19 Edmonton Oilers 8 - 1 Budaj 13,612 31-39-2 64
73 March 22 @ San Jose Sharks 3 - 1 Raycroft 17,496 31-40-2 64
74 March 25 Anaheim Ducks 7 - 2 Budaj 16,279 31-41-2 64
75 March 27 Vancouver Canucks 4 - 1 Raycroft 16,177 31-42-2 64
76 March 29 @ Anaheim Ducks 4 - 1 Budaj 17,182 31-43-2 64
April: 1–2–3 (Home: 0–2–2; Road: 1–0–1)
# Date Opponent Score OT/SO Decision Attendance Record Pts
77 April 1 Phoenix Coyotes 3 - 0 Raycroft 13,437 31-44-2 64
78 April 5 @ Vancouver Canucks 4 - 1 Budaj 18,630 32-44-2 66
79 April 7 @ San Jose Sharks 1 - 0 SO (1-0) Budaj 17,496 32-44-3 67
80 April 9 Dallas Stars 3 - 2 SO (3-2) Budaj 13,822 32-44-4 68
81 April 11 Vancouver Canucks 1 - 0 OT Budaj 13,397 32-44-5 69
82 April 12 St. Louis Blues 1 - 0 Raycroft 13,661 32-45-5 69

Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche failed to qualify for the 2009 NHL Playoffs.

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals 

Goaltenders

Note:  Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
Regular season
Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Peter Budaj 56 3231 20 29 5 154 2.86 1531 1377 .899 2
Andrew Raycroft 31 1722 12 16 0 90 3.14 836 746 .892 0

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Avalanche. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.
‡Traded mid-season

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Regular season
Player Milestone Reached
Milan Hejduk 600th NHL point October 9, 2008
Adam Foote 1,000th NHL game October 12, 2008
Paul Stastny 100th NHL assist October 14, 2008
Andrew Raycroft 200th NHL appearance October 16, 2008
Marek Svatos 200th NHL game October 25, 2008
Scott Hannan 600th NHL game October 30, 2008
Darcy Tucker 200th NHL goal November 8, 2008
Ryan Smyth 300th NHL goal January 18, 2009
Milan Hejduk 300th NHL goal January 18, 2009
Ian aperrière 1000th NHL game April 10, 2009

Transactions

Trades

March 4, 2009
 To Colorado Avalanche----Lawrence Nycholat
Ryan Wilson
Montreal's second-round pick (previously acquired) in 2009 draft 		To Calgary Flames ----Jordan Leopold

Free agents

Player Former team Contract terms
Andrew Raycroft[4] Toronto Maple Leafs 1 year, $800,000
Darcy Tucker[4] Toronto Maple Leafs 2 year, $4.5 million
Player New team
Jeff Finger Toronto Maple Leafs
Jose Theodore Washington Capitals
Kurt Sauer Phoenix Coyotes
Andrew Brunette Minnesota Wild

Claimed from waivers

Player Former team Date claimed off waivers
Jesse Boulerice Edmonton Oilers November 21, 2008

Draft picks

Colorado's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa • Ontario.

Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
2 50 Cameron Gaunce Defenseman  Canada Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (OHL)
2 61 Peter Delmas Goalie  Canada Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
4 110 Kelsey Tessier Center  Canada Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
5 140 Mark Olver Center  Canada Northern Michigan U. (CCHA)
6 167 Joel Chouinard Defenseman  Canada Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
6 170 Jonas Holos Defenseman  Norway Sparta Warriors (GET-ligaen)
7 200 Nathan Condon Center  United States Wausau (HIGH-WI)

See also

Farm teams

Lake Erie Monsters

The Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate was the Lake Erie Monsters, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Johnstown Chiefs

The Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL were the Avalanche's second-tier affiliate.

References

  1. ^ "2008-09 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ "2008-09 NHL Schedule and Results".
  3. ^ "2008-09 Colorado Avalanche Roster and Statistics".
  4. ^ a b CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Hockey NHL - Colorado - Tucker, Raycroft on Rocky Mountain highs[usurped]