Skrastins feels great and is ready to go

Skrastins feels great and is ready to go

Stephine Chavez (HV)

Karlis Skrastins took a month long break over the off-season to rehab his broken ankle. He says he has no injuries right now and nothing is bothering him at all. He feels great and is very excited for the new season.

Over the summer after the month of rehab, Skrastins worked on conditioning and strength. He also played soccer and basketball once a week as he does during hockey season. As stated previously, Skrastins is very excited for the new season.

He sees a lot of promise in the young guys who participated in training camp. He believes training camp went well. Skrastins stated, "Summer was too long. I went four or five months without hockey for the first time. I think we have a good team this season. We have two top players - Hannan is one of the best d-men in the league. He's a really good defenseman and he can also help forwards. We also have one of the best forwards (Ryan Smyth) in the league and our power play lines have a scoring chance during almost every power play. With the new NHL rules, I think power play and penalty kill are the main things to focus on."

During Colorado's preseason games, they won four games and lost two in over time. Many young players got the chance to play and prove their skill but only a few were selected to make the team. As goaltender Jose Theodore is still recovering from knee surgery, AHL player Tyler Weiman has been added to the roster as Peter Budaj's backup goalie. Another addition to the roster is thirty-year-old rookie Jaroslav Hlinka from the Czech Republic. The undrafted European always wanted to play in the NHL, but was never given the opportunity until the Avs came knocking. "This was the first chance I had to come here, so when I had the chance, I came," Hlinka said. "I always wanted to come over and try it and see if I was able to play here. For me, this is like a new challenge. I wanted to try it." Hlinka had seven points during preseason games.

Skrastins is happy to play whenever he is needed and for whatever amount of time the coach assigns him. " It's great to have a defenseman like Hannan added to our team. I am ready to play as much as needed and help the team win." Skrastins added.

Colorado barely missed the playoffs last season for the first time in franchise history.

Skrastins has faith the team will make playoffs this season. He comments, "We have to learn from our mistakes from last season and start the new season right away winning. We need to play at a high level and get the points right away and keep going." Colorado won their last preseason game 3-2 over Phoenix on Saturday, September 29th.

The team looks very well rested and ready for a new season! With the recent additions of Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan, the team is better than ever and looking like a playoff contending team again.

Colorado hosts Dallas on October 3rd at Pepsi Center to open their regular 2007-08 season. It is expected that Budaj will be in goal.