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No. 3 overall draft pick Matt Duchene grew up idolizing the Avs and now gets the chance to wear the jersey.

Stanley Cups: 2

2008-'09 record: 32-45-5, 69 points (5th in Northwest, 15th in West)

2008-'09 playoffs: Did not qualify

General manager: Greg Sherman (1st NHL year, 1st team)

Coach: Joe Sacco (1st  year, 1st team)

Captain: Adam Foote

Top returning scorer: RW Milan Hejduk (27 goals, 32 assists, 59 points)

Top returning goalie: Craig Anderson (15-7-5, 2.71, .924)

Key additions: G Craig Anderson; LW David Koci; D Kyle Quincey; D Tom Preissing.

Key subtractions: C Joe Sakic; G Andrew Raycroft; RW Ian Laperriere; C Tyler Arnason; LW Ryan Smyth; D Lawrence Nycholat; C Ben Guite; C Nathan Smith; C Cody McCormick; D Daniel Tjarnqvist.

Top line: LW T.J. Hensick, C Paul Stastny, RW Milan Hejduk

Top defensive pairing: Kyle Quincey, Adam Foote

Goaltending: Strong play as Tomas Vokoun’s understudy in Florida the past two seasons paid off in free agency for Anderson, who gets his first chance to be the go-to goalie with the Avs. Very poised butterfly netminder is athletic and about as technically sound as they come. Aggressive netminder who tends to over commit at times has improved that aspect of his game.

Player to watch: C Matt Duchene. He grew up idolizing the Avs and now gets the chance to wear the jersey. Third overall pick in 2009 entry draft will be expected to have immediate impact on rebuilding club. Helped Brampton reach OHL final last season, with 31-48-79 totals in 57 games and 14 more tallies in playoffs. Undersized (5-foot-10, 200 pounds), but is a dynamic playmaker and exceptionally quick on his skates.

Icing: The Avalanche missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1994 when the team was still the Quebec Nordiques.

Outlook: The Sakic era is over and the Sacco era has begun. The departure of the Avs’ longtime captain and the insertion of NHL newcomer Sacco behind the bench and Sherman in the front office isn’t merely a sign of change, it’s the start of a long winter in Denver.

Prediction: 63 points (5th in Northwest, 15th seed in West)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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