Midseason Report Card: Forwards (Part 1)
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 19, 2009 12:19 PM MST
28 comments
With 17 forwards I'm going to have to drag this out even longer split this into two parts. Here's part one:
"Arnason carries into the zone...and it's poke-checked away from him." Repeat as necessary.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 40GP 2G 8A 10P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 30GP 3G 7A 10P
2008-2009 Projection: 81GP 4G 16A 20P
Grade: D-
I'm good at making stuff up, but even I can't do much with just 5 games worth of 4th line minutes. He certainly hasn't embarrassed himself in the NHL and I wouldn't mind seeing him get a longer look here.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 5GP 0G 0A 0P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: N/A
2008-2009 Projection: 10GP 0G 0A 0P
Grade: INC
It's unfortunate that SBN's stock photo doesn't include the rad 'stache. Guite's always been one of my favorites, and not just because his facial hair owns. He doesn't seem to be one of Tony Granato's favorites though, and he seems be just a little less zippy this year (even before the rib injury).
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 16GP 2G 2A 4PT
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 38GP 3G 8A 11PT
2008-2009 Projection: 57GP 7G 7A 14PT
Grade: C
Hejduk is on pace for a 60-point season and, of course, was named to the All-Star game for the 3rd time in his career. Along with being a dangerous thread offensively, Hejduk has been responsible defensively and also has a secret feisty streak that comes out every once in a while. My only knock this year would be his streakiness, but that's just Milan being Milan.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 41GP 13G 17A 31P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 36GP 15G 15A 30P
2008-2009 Projection: 82GP 26GP 34A 60P
Grade: B+
If nothing else, TJ serves as a great reminder that the preseason doesn't mean all that much. Hensick was a pick by many - myself included - to have a breakout year this season. It hasn't happened. He's had some flashes, but there's a lot of "where the hell is TJ?" in between. Granato hasn't exactly showered him with opportunities, but, then again, TJ hasn't done much with what he's been given. You could say that Hensick hasn't always played with the most potent offensive players (hello, Darcy). You could also say that Hensick hasn't yet earned a right to play with the best.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 28GP 2G 8A 10P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 14GP 1G 2A 3P
2008-2009 Projection: 69GP 5G 20A 25P
Grade: D+
Jones is another young player who we thought was going to blow up this year, but so far it's been more fizzle than sizzle. Obviously, he's got great speed and has had some really pretty goals, but he often seems unsure of where to go with the puck. He's a physical guy too (man, so much potential), but also somehow manages to find himself on the receiving end of a lot of big hits.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 37GP 6G 4A 10P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 2GP 0G 0A 0P
2008-2009 Projection: 78GP 13G 8A 21P
Grade: C
The picture above sums it up pretty well. He goes to battle for you. He's played on the 2nd line, 3rd line and 4th line this year and he's played all three forward positions. He kills penalties, seems to be one of the few guys in the locker room willing to criticism the team when they stink. He led the team in fighting majors in the first half. What else can I say? He's Lappy.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 39GP 4G 9A 13P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 29GP 3G 8A 11P
2008-2009 Projection: 80GP 8G 18P 26P
Grade: B-
McCormick seems to be a good guy off the ice and he's been "okay" on the ice. However, there are some other 4th line type guys playing better, and he may struggle for ice time when he recovers from his foot injury. It doesn't help that Tony Granato tried him at center and he bombed in the faceoff circle (34.3%). It wouldn't shock me to see McCormick moved at the deadline if the Avs think they have too many 4th liners.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 25GP 1G 6A 7P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 19GP 2G 1A 3P
2008-2009 Projection: 60GP 2G 14A 17P
Grade: C-
It's taken me a while, but I've really started to warm up to Cody McLeod. He led the team in hits at the midway point and was 2nd to Lappy in majors. He gets under the skin of opposing players and just generally does the dirty work. And seven goals in the first half isn't anything to sneeze about, although the assists are *ahem* a tad low. McLeod also led the team in minor penalties in the first half, but 18 minors isn't really that bad considering the way he has to play. Like most of the Avs, he's pretty good overall at avoiding stupid penalties.
2008-2009 1st Half Stats: 41GP 7G 0A 7P
2007-2008 1st Half Stats: 8GP 2G 0A 2P
2008-2009 Projection: 82GP 14G 0A 14P
Grade: B-
Recap:
- Arnason: D-
- Dupuis: INC
- Guite: C
- Hejduk: B+
- Hensick: D+
- Jones: C
- Laperriere: B-
- McCormick: C-
- McLeod: B-
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Both ;D
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Jan 19, 2009 12:40 PM MST up reply actions
thanks for pointing that out. It should have been a B-. Now fixed…
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 19, 2009 12:42 PM MST up reply actions
For a good review
I’m a little shocked at the C+ grade for Lappy. Add the increased scoring from last year, I’d go with a solid B.
I’ve never done this before (and may never again), but I agree that I had him a bit too low, especially considering the grade I gave McLeod. I’ve adjusted Lappy to a B-.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 19, 2009 12:49 PM MST up reply actions
Besides
Lappy is not nearly as dreamy as JML. Right?
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Jan 19, 2009 1:09 PM MST up reply actions
How is he not?
Maybe not for the ladies, but if I were a pro hockey player, he’s exactly the type of player I would want to be.
I am Jack's unbridled optimism.
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Jan 19, 2009 1:10 PM MST up reply actions
Funny. My friend and were talking about “hot” hockey players and we put Lappy on the list. The Dude is righteous!! His nose: nothing that a little plastic surgery won’t fix.
I totally agree
I adore Lappy and think he’s way up there. In fact, you fix up his nose (which does add to his character as evidence to his scrappy play) and he’s down right hot.
When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there too!
by BeachNSnowGirl on Jan 19, 2009 1:53 PM MST up reply actions
But neither JML or Lappy
can hold a candle to Foppa, right? And is it wrong for a grown man to sleep with another man’s picture under his pillow? Hypothetically, that is.
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Jan 20, 2009 9:27 AM MST up reply actions
If it is, don’t tell anybody about me.
If Granato and/or Giguere really think that this is "up-tempo," I feel bad for their wives.
by JonHaven on Jan 20, 2009 1:32 PM MST up reply actions
Ummmm, what do you think??
When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there too!
by BeachNSnowGirl on Jan 20, 2009 4:27 PM MST up reply actions
Though, JML has it going on too
When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there too!
by BeachNSnowGirl on Jan 20, 2009 4:31 PM MST up reply actions
Good Call
I also thought Lappy was graded too low especially for the increased offense. Seriously, I think Lappy is the heart and soul of this team. It really hurts to have him out right now.
Red Wings Suck
I mostly agree. I to thought a C+ for Lappy was a little low considering McLeod’s C+/B-.
McLeod is doing well, no arguments there (especially since many of us thought it was crazy that he received a roster spot over guys like Jones and Hensick at the start of the season), but Lappy’s contributions to the team on and of the ice (IE. locker room) should give him a grade slightly higher than McLeod’s; IMHO.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-
I would amend Arnason’s quote to also include, “Arnason carries into the zone…and floats a worthless attempt at a shot.” Basically, anything that does not involve a pass.
Never trust the lunch lady.
by Hardshell_Taco_del_Lowayne on Jan 19, 2009 1:14 PM MST reply actions
the original entry was “Arnason has no interest in being on the ice, and I have no interest in talking about him”
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 19, 2009 1:19 PM MST up reply actions
Arnason reminds me of Hejduk in ‘05-’06 for one reason only. Hejduk in a very off year still had 24 goals and 58 points. And Hejduk was coming off of knee surgery. And Hedjuk was trying to be one of the few remaining stars and the added pressure that came of it after the team was blown out with the new CBA. So yeah, Arnason isn’t anything like Hejduk in any way whatsoever. So maybe Hejduk isn’t the best example here but it’s all I got. In that year Hejduk was on the left wing. In that year he tried the same damn move on every rush down the ice. He would get speed down the left wing, try to toe drag and then wrist the shot right in to the goalies chest. He did that 160 times in the ‘06 season. Arnason is in this rut of ALWAYS coming down the right wing, trying to use his one move of outside and in. It seems to fail spectacularly 98% of the time so far. He’s so ingrained to this approach his brain refuses to try anything else. The biggest ray of light I’ve seen from Arnason wasn’t his lucky tip in goal against Edmonton. His best moment was when he fed McLeod on the far post for an easy goal against St. Louis. He’s NEVER on that side of the ice, like ever. As a center why is that? It’s because he’s such a creature of habit his brain won’t let him. If the coaches insist on putting him on the ice I personally would put him on left wing to challenge his approach to the game and try to ignite a little inventiveness. At center he’s pure 100% garbage. I said it once before but I’ll say it again, he’s the only center on the team that the coaches don’t trust with the PK. That’s almost Freudian in how fucked up that is.
McLeod is really growing on me. He’s a perfect checking line forward with some pretty good hands, good skating and wreckless disregard for anyone, including his own body.
Doesn’t Jones seem like a right line combination away from breaking out and dominating? Doesn’t he almost seem like a Wolski before he did time at center? I’m not saying a position change is his panacea. It just feels like he’s a tweak away from really being Getzlaf like.
Hensick has been better lately, but hard to disagree with the grade. He’s been the third worst forward behind Arnason and Tucker so far. However, the last three of four games he’s been really effective with Stewart and Svatos. That can’t be said of Arnason and Tucker.
I agree with everything Dario just typed.
That is all.
PS – I too like the Svatos/Stewart/Hensick line.
Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!
PPS
I am not a crackpot.
I believe in Peter Budaj
by Jibblescribbits on Jan 20, 2009 8:45 AM MST up reply actions
i'll like it better...
when it’s the Stewart – Stastny – Svatos line, and the 3rd becomes McLeod – Hensick – Jones and Arnason becomes Arnason of the Press Box.
McLeod
I strongly disagree with your McLeod grade. He has played his tough guy role perfectly, been much improved in the stuipd penalty department and has scored more goals than Marek Svatos. Cody has given the Avs its only spark in those no show games via hitting, fights, or scoring on more than one occasion this season.
He’s not going to outscore The Duke, but McLeod has earned least an A- in my book.
If Granato and/or Giguere really think that this is "up-tempo," I feel bad for their wives.
by JonHaven on Jan 20, 2009 1:36 PM MST reply actions
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