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DENVER, CO - Many Avalanche players took the ice at Pepsi Center on Thursday in what appeared to be a full practise, despite not having played a game in over two months. "We're getting pretty bored of golfing," stated young star Gabriel Landeskog, the player who is believed to have arranged the scrimmage, "we just want to get back on the ice. Plus, this is the off season. We want to take advantage of our infinite EN."
Heading in to the draft, the Avs have been actively re-signing players. Young star and life-long Avalanche fan Matt Duchene was awarded with a hefty raise at $5,200,000. When asked what he would do with a budget over five times what he previously made, he responded with two words: facebook shares. Ryan O'Reilly also received a raise as he will make just under $2,000,000 next season. Other players to be re-signed include long time Av John-Michael Liles who was recently taken to cut-back arbitration and was awarded a contract of $3,500,000, Andy McDonald, Danny Markov and Scottie Upshall who were each extended for a year all at nearly the same salary, and Anton Lander who was extended with some bonuses. Mike Comrie has not yet been approached, and Barret Jackman will not be re-signed.
The General Manager of the Avs hinted that they might have a slightly different look, but that the concept of the team remains the same, especially with EHEC expected to implement rules in order to increase scoring and reduce trapping. The Avs currently own the third overall pick in the upcoming draft, and with talent like Yakupov, Grigorenko, Murray, Forsberg, Galenchyuk and Gaunce available, the Avs are almost guaranteed to select a player who can make a near-immediate impact.
Ryan O'Reilly, clearly grateful with his recent pay increase, was seen leaving Pepsi Center much quicker than usual in a brand new Ferrari F430.