Are Avs destined for goalie controversy along long and winding road to the Stanley Cup?

This is the year the Avs’ championship drought ends. I prefer them coming in off a 1-5-1 slump to end the regular season. Sports are about riding the waves, and here comes the next one! Go Avs!

Brennan, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Kiz: The patience of general manager Joe Sakic has served the Avalanche well. He has built a roster with scoring depth and a strong presence at the blue line. But in the playoffs, the most decisive factor is often goaltending. Do you trust Darcy Kuemper to win the 16 games necessary to claim a championship? Well, it’s certainly possible, but my guess is we’ll see a goalie controversy along the long and winding road to the Stanley Cup.

Do I have concerns about the Avs in NHL playoffs? Yes. Health and desire to win shared by all players, not only Nathan MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog and Cale Makar.

Danny, wants the Cup

Kiz: There are not five hockey players in the world more skilled than MacKinnon. But imagine the angst in Broncos Country if the quarterback of our local NFL team couldn’t reach the conference finals during nearly a decade on the job. He’s Teflon Nate. And he gets a free pass in this dusty old cowtown.

What do the Nuggets need to add to become a legit championship contender? One name: Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal

RMR, amateur pilot

Kiz: The Nuggets have pined for Beal forever; it seems he has been on their wish list since before Nikola Jokic lost his baby fat. But consider this: Beal can become a free agent by opting out of a contract that will pay him $36 million next year. I’m lousy at math, but hours of ciphering has left me stumped how the Nuggets could scrounge together the assets to successfully make a sign-and-trade deal for Beal.

Oft-injured Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. had no issue signing a $172 million deal while knowing he cannot play. How fair is that to his teammates who play for much less money? This is a competitive business, and MPJ is a multimillionaire because he is supposed to be a healthy, top-notch athlete that he’s not.

S.M., bottom-line driven

Kiz: The NBA is a make-or-miss, win-or-go-home league. I don’t blame MPJ for taking $172 million from the Nuggets. But I do wonder if Kroenke family ties to Mizzou might’ve clouded smart business judgment when it came time to give him a contract extension. I do have empathy for a young athlete who can’t stay healthy enough to play the game he loves. But whether he’s in the lineup for one or 82 games next season, MPJ is going to bank a $29.75 million salary in a country where 10% of people aren’t certain if they will be able to afford groceries next week.

And today’s parting shot is a sympathy note to my esteemed colleague Mike Singer, the best Nuggets beat reporter on the planet.

Sorry, Mr. Singer. Kiszla is a troll and 95% of Denver sports fans have zero respect for the guy or his opinions. But we will read and listen to you every day of the week, Mike.

Jay the pirate, aargh!

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