No Slump For Avalanche Sophomore Stewart
by Joe Dunman on Dec 17, 2009 9:38 AM MST
in News
39 comments
On November 28, Avalanche fans sighed deeply when early-season revelation David Jones went down with a torn ACL. In just 23 games, Jones had scored ten goals and sixteen points, and had become a 20+ minute-a-game fixture on the right wing of the second line. His season-ending injury meant one less major offensive contributor for a young team still trying to regain its impressive October momentum.
The last player expected to step up and fill Jones' skates was Chris Stewart. From October 30 to November 20, the 22 year-old Avalanche sophomore hadn't scored a single point, and managed only nine total shots on goal. During that ten-game drought, Coach Joe Sacco had reduced Stewart's ice time from fifteen minutes a night to less than ten.
But just before his fellow right winger Jones went down, something started to click for Stewart. On November 23, despite playing under eight minutes, Stewart assisted on a Cody McLeod goal that gave the Avalanche a 3-2 advantage over the Flyers. The team would go on to hold that lead and win 5-4. The next game, an overtime loss to the Predators, Stewart had another assist. Against the Wild on November 27, Stewart scored a goal and assisted on a Paul Stastny power play tally.
Then Jones went down, and the solid Avalanche right wing suddenly seemed as weak as the left.
Coach Sacco moved Stewart into a heavier rotation to fill the hole left by Jones, and he was quickly rewarded. Since the game against the Lightning on November 30, Stewart has scored multiple points in four games out of nine. Not bad for a player who scored just 19 points in 53 games last season. In fact, since the end of his ten-game drought, Stewart has scored 15 points in 13 games, and has fired 39 shots on goal. His ice time now ranges between 18 and 20 minutes a game, more than twice what it was during his dry period.
After a long, unsteady development, Chris Stewart finally seems comfortable in his skates. He's using his size to control the puck better, to hit harder, and to create more scoring chances than he ever has in the past. He's been an invaluable replacement for the injured David Jones, and Coach Sacco has recognized this by rewarding Stewart with more ice time and more time on the power play. Stewart is finally starting to look like the talented power forward the scouts have long predicted he would become.
ADDENDUM: Yahoo Sports has taken notice of Stewart, too. He's now listed as "Hot" (down Beachie) on their Fantasy tracker:
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Question
Are Stewart and Jones the same player?
What I mean is, are they both blossoming into a power forward on the right side? Are we set for top 6 RW’s after Hejduk hangs ’em up? Or is one of the expendable?
"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "
only if Jones can stay healthy. It’s too bad Wolki can’t come in with the same work ethic stewie has shown in the last couple of weeks, he’d be more than a point per game player.
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 17, 2009 9:45 AM MST up reply actions
They’re almost identical in height and weight, but Stewart always seems more aggressive to me, at least recently. He seems to have a larger, intangible “presence.” But that’s just me. Jones has better hands, but Stewart is better all-around, I think. I think Stewart gets the advantage because he’s doing what Jones is doing with three less years of experience.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
They do play similar styles…I think the thing that gives Jones a leg up is his speed. That makes him the bigger overall offensive threat.
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
I agree, but Stewart hits harder. So, who is the better player depends on the immediate situation. All I know is that getting Jones back next year could be huge for the Avs. Both those guys are improving steadily with age, and they’re both still pretty young.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
Jones was having THE breakout season we’ve been waiting for until he got injured. If there’s any silver lining it’s that teams will continue to be unaware of him (talking playoff this year or the start of next season) and he can take people by surprise.
"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "
Stewart
Stewart is better, by a long shot, at tipping pucks in front of the net than Jones.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:43 AM MST up reply actions
It's not just you
Jones seems like more of a big finesse guy…more physical than Wolski, but much less physical than Stewart. I don’t see Jones initiating fights, or even initiating much contact. I do seem him trying to zip around guys with that great speed.
Along with Cody Mac, the Avs have four pretty big forwards. I’d classify Stewart and Cody as power forwards, but not Jones and Wolski.
to me
Jones is faster and a better defender. Stewart has better hands, passing, and “aggressiveness.”
they’re both really good young players. I don’t know that we’re set on the right side for years, but we might be. Jones has to stay healthy though — which I think he could. Most of his injuries are pretty fluky and unrelated.
he’s been fantastic for my fantasy team over the last two weeks. I rarely pick up players from teams I’m pasionate about because it clouds my judgement (I blame Jake Plummer for that).
Jesus Saves! Stewart gets the rebound and scores!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Dec 17, 2009 9:43 AM MST reply actions
I love the turnaround that I have seen in Stewie. He is finally using the combination of size and skill…add the drive he has (to not go back to Lake Erie) plus playing with Duchene finding his game. It’s been a nice development to see
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
RWs only
We won’t talk LWs here, because it’s hard to say what it should be, but As far as RW-C pairings it’s clear that, when Jones is healthy the best pairings are:
Stastny-Hejduk
Duchene-Stewart
O’Reilly-Jones.
At least I think it’s clear. Maybe throw Stewie on O’Reilly’s line every once in a while, and vice versa, but there really should be no other combo.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:42 AM MST up reply actions
See what's missing
Svatos. (I’m sure you saw that). He just doesn’t fit well here. I think he could flourish elsewhere, but his days are, and should be, numbered here.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:46 AM MST up reply actions
he’s gone. as for this year, it appears Sacco has gotten the memo and relegated him to 4th line + PP duty.
I feel bad for Svats, he’s a good guy and works hard, but it’s honestly where he belongs.
I feel bad for Svats, he’s a good guy and works hard, but it’s honestly where he belongs.
Agree. He’s just not a good fit for this team, IMO. I think the ideal center for him would be a Joe Thronton type.. one that passes well and creates space for his snipers.
I think Svatos would be a good fit in the Eastern conference, not just the Pens as you say. His willingness and ability to go in front of the net would really flourish in that eastern conference style. I could see him really tearing it up for a team in the SE, where the defense is typically horrible.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:56 AM MST up reply actions
would really flourish
really tearing it up
I would LOVE to see him be able to do that too. I have no rational for it, but I adore the guy and really want to see him do well.
You mean the Avs aren't going to get the top draft pick this summer???
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 17, 2009 12:11 PM MST up reply actions
Like a LW or a D with a slap shot? Please?
You mean the Avs aren't going to get the top draft pick this summer???
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 17, 2009 3:20 PM MST up reply actions
i think jones is still a better finisher than stewie. Glad Stewart decided to make the Sophomore jump instead of having a sophomore slump
Sports don't build character, they reveal it
But just before his fellow right winger Jones went down, something started to click for Stewart. On November 23, despite playing under eight minutes, Jones assisted on a Cody McLeod goal that gave the Avalanche a 3-2 advantage over the Flyers.
I think you mean Stewart here, and I only point it out because it reads kind of funny.
I also am pointing it out because I’m a dick who revels in others mistakes, but mainly because it was a touch confusing and I had to re-read it to get what I thought you meant.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:39 AM MST reply actions
=)
Hey I may live in a glass house and throw stones, but my glass house is plexi-glass.
And no, I don’t really know what that means.
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Dec 17, 2009 10:47 AM MST up reply actions
Yep, it’s a screw up. Thanks for the proofreading.
Mile High Hockey: Hoping for the best, expecting the worst, hating the Wings.
around the net
Don’t forget to mention his net-presence! He’s finally playing like somebody with his body is supossed to.
I like both Stewie and Jonsie and want both of them around. Is that too much to ask for?
You mean the Avs aren't going to get the top draft pick this summer???
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 17, 2009 12:12 PM MST reply actions
I like them both too…I just want to see Jones make it through an entire year. He has Svatos system…he always suffers his big injury, right when he’s heating up
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
I think it’s just been bad luck and he’ll be fine. He will be fine. He will be fine.
You mean the Avs aren't going to get the top draft pick this summer???
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 17, 2009 3:26 PM MST up reply actions
Do you have Jedi mind trick abilities?
David Jones, you WILL be fine.
And reading that back, I have no idea what a Svatos “system” is…I think I meant to say symptom. Hmmm
As noted, I am not a big Peter Budaj fan. Just so everyone knows...you know, so people don't have to point it out every post. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, as some have suggested...that is all
I’m leaning more towards syndrome.
by '96 Avs Bandwagon on Dec 17, 2009 4:45 PM MST up reply actions
Oh no! Not the dreaded Svatos Syndrome.
The 2009-10 Avalanche: Have the wheels fallen off?
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Dec 17, 2009 8:15 PM MST up reply actions
Is that the one that makes you high stick a guy with only 5 minutes left to play in the third?
by c0nquistad0rian on Dec 18, 2009 12:20 AM MST up reply actions
only when you’re up by one
"They're unbelievable, really good...They sure don't look like 18-year-olds out there." - Joe Sakic
by BeachNSnowGirl on Dec 20, 2009 5:38 PM MST up reply actions
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