Final Grade: Karlis Skrastins

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Apr 12, 2007 6:47 AM MDT in Final Grades 2007

Season Stats: 68 GP, 0 G, 11 A, 11 Pt Even

Minutes: 1,439 (3^rd among D), EV 16:44, PP 0:13, PK 4:13, ATOI 21:10

Splits:

1^st Half: 41 GP, 0 G, 4 A, +5 33 Shots

2^nd Half: 27 GP, 0 G, 7 A, -5 32 Shots

Linemates: Clark (62 games), Klee (5), Liles (1)

Career:

Set the Ironman streak for defensemen, with 495 consecutive games played before a knee injury this spring.

Report:

An inconsistent season for Karlis…One of the best shot blockers in the league, Skrastins was 7^th in the league in blocked shots (190) despite missing 14 games…Also terrific at going to the ice to poke the puck away or block a pass…Extremely prone to taking himself out of position to chase down a puck carrier…Because of that, often made his partner (usually Clark) look bad trying to compensate…Only credited with 37 hits - just 6 more than John-Michael Liles...Has seen a few too many of his own replays – often will get beat trying to make a cute play, when a simpler play would have been more effective…Like many Colorado defensemen, has little in the way of offensive abilities…Cut his penalty minutes from 65 in ’05-’06 to 30 this season.

Fast Fact: In 7 NHL season, Skrastins has had a positive plus/minus just once (+18 in 2003-2004).

Midseason Grade: B-

Final Grade: C

2007-2007 Salary: $2,400,000

2007-2008 Status: $2,400,000

Outlook:

Skrastins will be back with the team, hopefully with some better work habits in his own end. He’s currently the highest paid Avalanche defenseman (by about $900,000), and needs to start earning that salary.

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Comments

I’d give him a D because of his first half penalty kill. It’s hard to point at just one player that cost games but I can point to Karlis in the first half and show replays of how he directly effected the outcome. The fact he makes 2.4 million just makes it worse. He may have played hurt and for that I blame the coaching staff more than I blame Karlis. For having a reputation of developing and coaching some of the best defensemen in the NHL I thought Quinville would have been way more proactive on this top pairing. Karlis certainly needs to improve.

by Dario on Apr 12, 2007 9:55 AM MDT reply actions

It should also be mentioned that the Avs’ late-season streak began almost immediately after Skrastins went on the injured list. Coincidence?

by Dear Lord Stanley on Apr 12, 2007 10:56 AM MDT reply actions

Unfortunately DLS it’s not a coincidence. Moser and Sandy tried to downplay any such thoughts in their interview with Giegure and Quenville last Tuesday though. They thought it was more of a team commitment to defense that turned the tide. I for one think it’s because Finger and Sauer made their partners better via their positioning and that Sauer and Finger played a different brand of hockey by taking away space rather than a containment/shot blocking style.

I like Karlis but I think he needs to be played in the right spot. I’ll also admit I think he’s PRIME trade bait at next years deadline or this draft. However, I don’t think the Avalanche feel the same way. We shall see.

by Dario on Apr 12, 2007 11:10 AM MDT reply actions

I agree with Dario – I think the Avs love Skrastins too much to deal him.

by Draft Dodger on Apr 12, 2007 11:20 AM MDT reply actions

Well I think he did an okay job, but he needs to be positioned with the right person. He can’t have a partner like Clark, because they are both looking to go forward. He needs to be partnered with a stay at home defenseman who can atone for any gambles Skratch might take.

by Colin S. on Apr 12, 2007 4:56 PM MDT reply actions