Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast

Starting Goalie

Aarif Deen discusses Alexandar Georgiev's recent struggles and how the Avs will navigate the goaltending situation moving forward. He breaks down some of coach Jared Bednar's comments regarding both Georgie and Justus Annunen heading into Thursday's regular season finale against the Edmonton Oilers. He also recaps Tuesday's practice and the line combinations Colorado is likely starting the playoffs with. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. ...

Playoff Implications

Aarif Deen breaks down the recent stretch of Avs games. He looks back at the 4-1 loss in Columbus and the playoff implications it could have regarding Colorado's first round opponent. He also recaps the Avs' comeback victory in Nashville, and Alexandar Georgiev getting pulled after getting called for unsportsmanlike conduct. The show ends with some thoughts on Nathan MacKinnon's home point streak ending against the Rangers in a controversial way. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mo...

So Much Has Changed

Aarif returns to look back at an exciting month for the Avalanche. He breaks down the trades made by Chris MacFarland ahead of the deadline and how they've inpacted the team's depth, PK and road record. He also looks at similarities between this year's deadline and the one in 2022 before the Avs last won the Stanley Cup. Aarif then closes the show with thoughts on how the lines will play out for the playoff run. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche P...

Two Winnable Games Slip Away

Aarif breaks down the Avalanche's last two games, a 2-1 OT loss in Detroit followed by a 4-3 loss to Toronto at Ball Arena. He looks at how and why the Avs let two winnable games slip away in the third period and why the team is frustated with their recent play. He also credits Justus Annunen for an exceptional performance against the Red Wings before looking at what is very much an incomplete forward lineup just five games out from the trade deadline. All that and more on this Sunday edition...

Home Cookin' At Ball Arena

Aarif recaps the Avalanche's 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes at Ball Arena and how the team was able to win the battle between two desperate teams. He then joins Shawn Drotar and Sandy Clough of Mile High Sports Radio to preview the upcoming games against the Vancouver Canucks at home and the Detroit Red Wings on the road. All that and more on this Monday edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Recorded: Monday, Feb. 19, 2...

What To Make of the Avalanche’s 1-4-1 Road Trip

Aarif Deen looks back at the road trip, which ended with a 6-3 loss in Tampa Bay. He shares his thoughts on what the 1-4-1 trip should do to the Avs' plans for the March 8 trade deadline. All that and more on this quick post-game edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Recorded: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at 9:15 pm. MT.

Reunion With J.J. Jerez in the Midst of a Disastrous Road Trip

Aarif Deen is joined by Guerilla Sports' J.J. Jerez for an OG reunion. The guys break down the lopsided 4-0 loss in Florida and the disastrous road trip as a whole. They also look at ways the Avs could dig out of this rut after falling to 0-3-1 since the All-Star break. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Recorded: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at 7:15 pm. MT.

Peter Baugh Checks in From the Big Apple

Aarif Deen is joined by an old friend of the show, Peter Baugh of The Athletic. The guys discuss Peter's move to The Big Apple, covering the New York Rangers and his experience with covering the first week of the Patrick Roy era on Long Island. They then shift to the Colorado Avalanche, how the team is viewed from afar and what they need ahead of the March 8 trade deadline. The show ends with a look back at Peter's favorite memories covering the Avs. All that and more on this special edition ...

Nathan MacKinnon's Elite Habits

Aarif Deen is back following the Avs' 6-2 victory over the Capitals, led by Nathan MacKinnon's second four-goal game of the season. He reacts to Jared Bednar's post-game presser where he spoke about MacKinnon's off-ice habits that make him the elite player that he is. He also speaks to MacKinnon's standard for himself and those around him. Then, he touches on the return of both Artturi Lehkonen and Bowen Byram before closing out with thoughts of how Alexandar Georgiev looked on Wednesday. All...

Throw The Hats For Logan O'Connor

Aarif Deen is back following the Avs' 7-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He breaks down the Logan O'Connor hat trick, his chemistry on the line with Wood and Colton, and the Avs' road trip as a whole. He also looks at the recent play of Sam Malinski, and if his rise opens up the opportunity to use other defensive assets to help bolster the forward core. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Re...

Valeri Nichushkin Enters NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

Resiliency

Aarif looks back at the Avs’ resilient victory in Dallas on Thursday, where they erased a two-goal lead and won 5-4 in OT. He touches on the growth of Jonathan Drouin this season, Valeri Nichushkin’s ability to be used as a weapon, Nathan MacKinnon’s dominance and the team’s defensive pieces. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter @runwriteAarif Recorded: Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at 8:30 pm. MT.

MacKinnon's Magic, Nichushkin's ice-time and Depth Struggles

Aarif Deen breaks down the Avs' exciting 6-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators. He touches on Nathan MacKinnon's fantastic four-goal performance, Valeri Nichushkin's ice-time reaching 29 minutes, and the continued depth-scoring struggles.

Trade Chatter + Comments From Toews and Bednar

Aarif Deen breaks down both Devon Toews and Jared Bednar's post-game comments following an embarrassing 3-2 loss in Chicago on Tuesday. He also discusses the Elias Lindholm trade rumor and how the Avs could fix their forward roster woes with two trades.

Is Ryan Johansen a Good Fit?

Aarif joins Sandy Clough and Shawn Drotar on Mile High Sports Radio to discuss Ryan Johansen's fit with the Colorado Avalanche.

Powerful PP

Aarif Deen shares why the Avalanche's PP has been so effective over the past nine games despite the Avs losing 4-3 in OT to the Arizona Coyotes. Then, Aarif joins Sandy Clough and Shawn Drotar on Mile High Sports radio for more hockey talk.

Comeback in Dallas

Aarif Deen breaks down the Avs' 6-3 comeback victory over the Dallas Stars.

St. Louis Fallout + Kiviranta Signs

Recapping Jared Bednar's press conference Saturday night following an embarrassing loss to the St. Louis Blues. Also, the Avalanche sign Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

Recapping a Tough Loss to Seattle

Aarif joins Shawn Drotar and Sandy Clough on Mile High Sports radio to break down the loss to Seattle at Ball Arena on Thursday night.

An Avalanche of Questions Following a 7-0 Loss at Vegas

Following a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, Aarif shares his five most pressing questions about the Avalanche through the first 10 games of the season.

Prepping For The Golden Knights

Aarif shares his quick thoughts from Thursday's practice before plugging a radio segment with Shawn Drotar at Mile High Sports. The guys preview Saturday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Prosvetov Shines in 4-1 Victory Over the Blues

Aarif breaks down the Avalanche's 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues and a solid first start for Ivan Prosvetov in goal.

Avalanche Defeat San Jose 2-1 in the Shootout

Aarif Deen of Mile High Sports breaks down the Avs' 2-1 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Devon Toews is Here to Stay

Aarif Deen of Mile High Sports breaks down the Devon Toews contract extension before looking back at Colorado's performance in Wednesday's 5-2 opening night victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Preseason Begins + Kristy Flannery on Tatar, Wood and the NJ Devils

Following the Avs’ 4-3 loss in the preseason opener, Aarif shares some notes from the game before being joined by Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News. A New Jersey Devils beat reporter, Kristy speaks of Colorado's additions of Tomas Tatar and Miles Wood before previewing what should be another strong season for the Devils. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Podcast Recorded: Sunday, Sep. 24, at 4...

Valeri Nichushkin Speaks + Julian McKenzie on the Calgary Flames

Aarif is joined by Aniello Piro of Mile High Sports following the first day of training camp. The guys start the show by breaking down Valeri Nichushkin's first public comments since his absence from the team last April. They then get into the vibes around camp, Gabriel Landeskog's recovery and how the new pieces are filling into the lineup. They also touch on Devon Toews' comments regarding his contract negotiations. The show ends with an interview with Julian McKenzie, who covers the Calga...

What Ryan Johansen Brings to the Avalanche

Aarif starts the show with his thoughts about the recent Pavel Francouz report. He also touches on Valeri Nichushkin returning to Denver and taking part in a talented captains' skate last Friday. The show then shifts to Aarif's thoughts on the Mike Babcock resignation in Columbus, and more importantly, the way it was handled by NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh. Aarif is then joined by Nashville reporter Adam Vingan, who covered nearly the entire Predators career of Ryan Johansen. The int...

Avalanche add Tomas Tatar

Aarif breaks down the Avs' signing of Tomas Tatar. He looks at where the forward will fit in the lineup and the trickle-down effect of adding him. He also recalls watching a lot of Tatar when he was in Detroit, and why calling him a non-factor in the playoffs isn't entirely correct. Aarif also touches on the departure of skills coach Shawn Allard and the latest Mike Babcock news currently dominating the NHL headlines. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Aval...

Prepping for 2023-24

Aarif Deen returns following a six-week break to announce changes to the show for the upcoming season. He also puts his final touches on the offseason that was for the Avs as we're just a week away from things ramping up for training camp. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow Aarif on Twitter/X @runwriteAarif Recorded: Monday, Sep. 11, 2023, at 11:00 am. MT.

Meghan Angley's Path to the NHL

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are joined by Meghan Angley of DNVR to break down the new Ross Colton deal and the impending Nikolai Kovalenko contract. The show then shifts to Meghan's path to the NHL and how she got started in hockey. She also touches on the Avs' prospect development -- specifically Justus Annunen and Jean-Luc Foudy, DU Hockey, and the excitement surrounding the team following a busy and efficient offseason of notable additions. All that and more on this Sund...

Arbitration Season

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez are back to discuss the latest around the Avs. Specifically, the Ross Colton arbitration hearing, which is scheduled for late July. They discuss where they think the contract ends up landing and why it's taken this long to get something done. They also look at some of the remaining UFAs to see which could be a fit for the Avs. The show ends with some headlines from around the league. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Pod...

Evan Rawal's Offseason Assessment

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are joined by Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now to break down the Avs' offseason. He shares his thoughts on each of the forward additions and predicts what they'll bring in terms of production in 2023-24. He also looks at other moves Chris MacFarland might make before training camp. The show then shifts to some of the deals that could still happen around the NHL, including Alex DeBrincat getting dealt to Detroit, which happened in the middle of t...

UFA Limit Exceeded

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez break down a wild July 1 around the NHL and how it was navigated despite Twitter's limitations. They open the show with an in-depth analysis for both Miles Wood and Jonathan Drouin and where they'll fit on this team. They also discuss why the six-year term for Wood isn't as bad as it seems. The guys also share their thoughts on Andrew Cogliano and Jack Johnson returning as well as Bowen Byram's new bridge deal. Then, their thoughts on Erik Johnson and J.T. Compher, ...

Ross Colton and UFA Preview

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez are back for a bonus episode less than 24 hours before the start of unrestricted free agency. The guys break down the Ross Colton acquisition and where he fits in the lineup. They also recap the Avs' draft picks and some of the bigger buyouts around the NHL before previewing UFA day. All that and more on this quick edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif Recorded: June 30, 2023, at 1...

Alex Newhook Traded To Montreal

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports break down the Alex Newhook trade to Montreal. They discuss what it could mean for the Avs moving forward both in terms of re-shaping their bottom six and finding someone to fill out the remaining spot in the top six. The guys also look at some of the other deals around the NHL that broke on Tuesday, specifically the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, which was somewhat connected to the Newhook deal. All that and more on this quick trade reaction episode o...

Ryan Johansen Analysis With Jesse Montano

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports welcome Jesse Montano of DNVR Sports to break down the Avs' acquisition of center Ryan Johansen on Saturday. The guys analyze the trade and the gamble MacFarland and Sakic are taking on this deal. They also discuss the recent reports that Erik Johnson is expected to enter the free agent market and where he might land. The guys then discuss the upcoming NHL Draft and the late Pierre Lacroix's induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. All that and mo...

Offseason Officially Begins

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are ready to kick off the offseason! The guys start the show by recapping the end of the Stanley Cup Final and what other teams could learn from both the champion Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers. The show then shifts to more offseason chatter about the Avs and specifically, the several centers they could target as UFA's and on the trade market. They break down the different ways Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic could go about building...

Patrick Roy Stories With Ryan Boulding

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are joined by Ryan Boulding of NHL.com and co-host of The Hockey Show on Mile High Sports Radio. The guys look back at what's changed within the organization since Ryan worked for the team from 2014-16. They talk about the evolution from a franchise without an identity to being one of the NHL's best. They then shift to the recent news about Patrick Roy wanting back in the NHL as a head coach. And from there, Ryan shares several stories of his tim...

Nichushkin Eligible To Return

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez are back to break down the latest on Valeri Nichushkin, who is eligible to return in October if he's ready to go. The guys start the show with a look back at Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before shifting to the recent coaching hires around the league. Specifically, if Mike Babcock is a good fit for Columbus and where Patrick Roy might land if he jumps back into the NHL. The show then shifts to the salary cap, where Aarif explains how the cap is calculated in a non...

Growing the Game, with Kyle Fredrickson

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are joined by guest Kyle Fredrickson of The Gazette. The guys look back at the Avs' 2022-23 season with Kyle, his first season on the beat as a full-time hockey guy. They also dive into why the NHL isn't as popular as it could be among the big four sports in North America. The guys also touch on some of their favorite NHL players to interview in the dressing room. All that and more on this offseason edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Ava...

Will the Avs Bring Back EJ?

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports return to break down the Avs' offseason plans. They start with the veteran UFA's, specifically Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Darren Helm, Andrew Cogliano and Lars Eller. Before that, they also look at the current playoffs and some of the fun stories around the postseason. They also discuss the Kyle Dubas debacle after it was announced that Toronto would not be bringing back their general manager. All that and more on this offseason edition of Hocke...

Landeskog To Undergo Knee Surgery, Will Miss 2023-24 Season

Aarif Deen of Mile High Sports is joined by Nate Lundy, the boss at Mile High Sports to discuss the breaking news surrounding Gabriel Landeskog. The Avs' captain is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season after scheduling a cartilage transplant in his right knee on May 10. The show starts with a clip from Landeskog, who spoke with the media Tuesday morning ahead of his surgery. The guys break down what it all means, the ramifications of not having Landeskog for another year, and what gene...

Reflecting on 2022-23

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports are joined by Peter Baugh of The Athletic to reflect on the Avs' 2022-23 season. They look back at how the season was defined, how it ended and what the team needs to do this summer to improve on what was a tough ending to their Stanley Cup title defense. They also discuss Cale Makar being named a Norris Trophy finalist. All that and plenty more on this long Sunday edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on...

Season Ends in Game 7

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez break down the Avs' Game 7 loss to the Seattle Kraken. They touch on some of the post-game comments about the team's adversity all season and briefly look ahead at several players that need a new contract this summer. All that and more on this final post-game edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif Recorded: April 30, 2023, at 11:30 pm. MT.

Close Your Eyes, Game 7 is Here

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez recap the Avs' big 4-1 Game 6 victory at Climate Pledge Arena to stave off elimination. They discuss the team's ability to finally put together a complete effort, the new-look top six and the defensive clinic in the third period. They also preview what will be an exciting Game 7 at Ball Arena before ending the show with a conversation about the lack of clarity around Valeri Nichushkin following the released police reports on Thursday. All that and more on this editi...

On the Brink of Elimination

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez break down the Avs' 3-2 loss in Game 5 at Ball Arena. They discuss what's gone wrong for Colorado, which finds itself on the brink of elimination heading into Game 6. They also look at the big minutes for the stars on the team before debating Cale Makar's one-game suspension and if it was deserved. All that and more on this post-game edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif

Seattle Sunday

J.J. Jerez is joined by Aarif Deen in Seattle following the Avs' 6-4 victory in Game 3 at Climate Pledge Arena. The guys use the off day to not only recap the crucial victory but look back at the first three games of the series as a whole. They also touch on Valeri Nichushkin's sudden absence, special teams and look ahead to a pivotal Game 4. All that and more on this Sunday edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteA...

Avalanche Find Their Swagger in Game 2

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez recap the Avs' 3-2 victory over Seattle in Game 2 at Ball Arena. They touch on the new line combinations, Colorado finding new life after the first intermission and an exceptional performance from goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. All that and more on this live from the rink post-game edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif Recorded: April 20, 2023, at 11:30 pm MT.

Seattle Takes Game 1 over the Avalanche

Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez of Mile High Sports break down the Avs' 3-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken in Game 1 live from Ball Arena. All that and more on this post-game edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif Recorded: April 18, 2023, at 11:30 pm MT.

Kate Shefte From Seattle

Aarif Deen of Mile High Sports is joined by Kate Shefte of the Seattle Times to preview the Avs' series against the Kraken. Kate answers several questions about the Kraken, who are set to play in the postseason for the first time. She touches on Philipp Grubauer's season, Vince Dunn's emergence, Matty Beniers' rookie season and the forward depth the team has on all four lines. All that and more on this edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter...