Hensick "loaned" to Lake Erie for conditioning assignment. Some of us have wondered why this...

Hensick "loaned" to Lake Erie for conditioning assignment.

Some of us have wondered why this hadn't happened. But at the same time, something doesn't smell right with the wording here. Hensick has only been scratched three games...why would he need conditioning?

almost 3 years ago Americanario 21 comments 0 recs |

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I have to admit, I’m scratching my head over this one. Why a conditioning loan and not just an outright demotion?

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 27, 2009 3:35 PM MST reply actions

because he still collects an NHL salary. they’re being nice to him, I think.

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 4:24 PM MST up reply actions

Trade him

He’s to small and not skilled enough to make up for his size

by avs19fan26 on Feb 27, 2009 3:59 PM MST reply actions

That’s what a lot of people said about St. Louis and look how he’s turned out.

I’m not say Hensick is going to be like St. Louis, I’m just saying we have seen flashes of what he could be and he’s only played a grand total of 75 NHL games to date. He’s still young and learning to adjust. If Granato is as bad of a coach as many think, and Q was as bad with offensive players as many think, then maybe give the kid a little more to time to “learn” before you throw him to the wolves.

MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Feb 27, 2009 4:24 PM MST up reply actions

Hensick’s problem is that I just don’t see how he’s going to get used correctly here — he’s behind Stastny and Wolski at center, and Hejduk, Stewart, Jones, and Svatos at RW.

I agree he’s got lots of potential still and giving up on him is not the right course of action, but I think shopping him must be explored. A team like FLA or ATL that’s flat desperate for center help might overpay.

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 4:33 PM MST up reply actions

True

I’m pretty down on the kid, but he could certainly develop into a fantastic third line center. I think it’s worth giving him another year’s worth of a look. As long as he stays with a 2-way contract.

He’s certainly skilled, and his numbers at LE suggest he will revert to the mean and have some success. If the Avs did get a nice package for him, I wouldn’t be opposed to shipping him out.

The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters

by Jibblescribbits on Feb 27, 2009 4:46 PM MST up reply actions

Do you see him succeeding as a 3rd lien center? I just don’t think he has the defensive prowess. I want him to get top 6 time, but not at the expense of the guys I listed. It’s tough.

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 4:49 PM MST up reply actions

I can agree with that

He might not be the type of guy who will develop on a third line, but needs 1st or 2nd line time. Svatos is another guy I think is in that boat. But at the same time I don’t want to see us trade him and then have he become one of those guys that comes back to haunt us. Still with Stastny and Wolski, hopefully in the line up for a number of years to come, Hensick might be on a short stick…

MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.

I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.

by Americanario on Feb 27, 2009 5:13 PM MST up reply actions

Well

I think coachs can be creative in the "third"and "fourth"line role. I’ve always thought teams should have a top-2 and an Offensive third line and a defensive third line (i.e. a checking line).

Then you role the lines differently for different situations.

The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters

by Jibblescribbits on Feb 27, 2009 5:55 PM MST up reply actions

I think a line of (UFA-Maybe Peltonin) – Hensik – Svatos would be a pretty good 3rd line, that you could roll with when down by a goal or two, or tied. Then when up by a goal or two, especially late you’d role with a

Lappy – Guite – McLeod line a little more.

The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters

by Jibblescribbits on Feb 27, 2009 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

That line looks like it would get pushed around a lot to me. But it certainly has a lot of skill. I’d much rather see a true 3rd line center like Malhotra or Pahlsson brought in and Hensick placed on the wing, with Svats moved. A possible setup for next year if we didn’t get another top 6 LW in the offseason

Smyth – Stastny – Hejduk
Jones – Wolski – Stewart
McLeod – Malhotra – Hensick
McCormick – Guite – Lappy

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 10:43 PM MST up reply actions

I think a Hensick – Svatos combination works if you have a big strong winger on the other side, like Stewart. [Hey, remember when G accidentally put that line (Svatos – Hensick – Stewart) together and they were exciting and productive? Yeah, wow, that was weird, but G “fixed”/ended that rather quickly.]

It seems like Hensick is a playmaker and not much of a finisher, so if the Avs got good centers like Malhotra (which would be awesome, if in the realm of possibilities) or Pahlsson (also great addition, if possible), the player you’d want to keep is a finisher like Svatos.

Then again, who knows what the Avs will do. I can no longer stand to watch Svats being paired with a horrible linemate like Arny any more, and because I really like Svats, I’d rather see him traded to a better team at this point.

by Pookie on Feb 28, 2009 9:16 AM MST up reply actions

I’ve been listening to the Lake Erie Monsters game tonight and it is a two game conditioning stint.

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Feb 27, 2009 7:02 PM MST reply actions

I guess the way we should be looking at this is that the team IS going to move a forward or two next week, and want to make sure Hensick is ready. Right?

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 27, 2009 7:20 PM MST up reply actions

I’m certanly scratching my head over this move. Even if the Avs activate Liles for tomorrow’s game that only gives them 22 roster players.

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Feb 27, 2009 7:35 PM MST up reply actions

why, that would put him back with the team right before the deadline, no? coincidence?

very, very interesting, thanks Jori.

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 10:34 PM MST up reply actions

Hensick had a great game tonight for the Monsters; assited on both goals in a 2-0 shutout win.

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Feb 27, 2009 10:25 PM MST reply actions

Err assisted

Colorado Avalanche Prospects (www.avsprospects.blogspot.com)

by Angélique C. Murray on Feb 27, 2009 10:25 PM MST up reply actions

i think i've figured it out.

why is it a conditioning assignment? he would have to clear waivers to go down.

according to http://www.nhlscap.com/waivers.htm , if you sign your first contract at age 22 (as hensick did), you are only exempt for 3 years OR until he plays 70 NHL games. Hensick has played 75 NHL games as of today, thus he is actually subject to waivers.

I think. :)

by thedoctor on Feb 27, 2009 10:32 PM MST reply actions