Final Grade: Matt Hendricks

Midseason Grade: N/A

Final Grade: N/A

Joined Team: June 24, 2008. Acquired from Boston for Johnny Boychuk.

MHH Nicknames: N/A

Pos:

• LW (2)
• RW (2)

Lines:

• 4th (3)
• 2nd (1)

Linemates:

LW:

• McCormick (1)
• Laperriere (1)

C:

• Hensick (1)
• Guite (1)
• Laperriere (1)
• Wolski (1)

RW:

• Svatos (1)
  

Ice Time:*

• TOT 8:30 (19th)
• EV 8:30 (19th)
• PK 0:00 (21st)
• PP 0:00 (20th)

*Rank is based on total minutes, not average per game.

Best Month: March (4 games, 0 points)

Career Highlights: Hendricks made his NHL debut last season

Report: YAMLCUG (Yet Another Minor League Call Up Grade). Hendricks was fun to watch. In his too brief stint with the Avs, he seemed like he had a nose for the net and played with reckless abandon (translation: he hit people). Over the course of an 82 game season, I can see where Hendricks' dumb penalties could be a detriment. With the Avs mired in a dismal end-of-season slump, though, I thought Hendricks play was just the breath of fresh air the team needed. All other tough guys not nicknamed "Lappy" had closed up shop for the year; McCormick's last fight was on March 12th (against Jon Scott, though, so he earned the time off). McLeod's last scrap was February 28th (Tucker's also). Why not keep Hendricks around to bring just a little entertainment to the dreadful Avalanche games?

Fun Fact: Hendricks was one of 4 Avs with a positive +/- (+1)

The Matt Hendricks Drinking Game: Drink when Hendricks takes a stupid penalty Drunk potential: High

What I Said Last Year: "I'm not familiar with Hendricks, but just looking at his numbers this doesn't seem like a great return [for Boychuk]."

2008 Salary (and Cap Number): $500k ($500k)

2009-2010 Status: UFA

Outlook for 2009: Hendricks is one of a zillion journeyman minor league free agents in the system. I liked him in the limited look that I saw, but obviously the geniuses ruining (er, sorry, I think I meant "running") the team did not agree. Wherever he ends up, it seems like the bulk of his time is going to be spent in the AHL.

Next Up: David Jones