Final Grade: Cody McLeod

Midseason Grade: B-

Final Grade: B

Joined Team: Signed as a free agent, July 6th, 2006

MHH Nicknames: The Highlander

Lines:

• 4th (35)
• 3rd (30)
• 2nd (12)
• 1st (2)

Pos:

• LW (79)
  

Linemates:

C:

• Arnason (25)
• Guite (18)
• McCormick (13)
• Willsie (7)
• Hensick (5)
• Galiardi (4)
• Laperriere (4)
• Dupuis (2)
• Sakic (1)

RW:

• Laperriere (18)
• Svatos (14)
• Jones (9)
• Tucker (8)
• Willsie (8)
• Hejduk (7)
• Stewart (7)
• McCormick (7)
• Hensick (1)

Ice Time:*

• TOT 10:07 (12th)
• EV 9:40 (12th)
  
• PK :19 (12th)
  
• PP :07 (13th)

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

Best Month: January (7 points in 13 games)

Career Highlights: McLeod set career highs in games (79), goals (15), points (20), penalty minutes (162) and shots (118). He also tied his previous high in assists (with 5).

Report: Here's what Cody McLeod is. He's our best hitter (by a 79-hit margin over the next guy, other Cody). He gets on the nerves of the other team (watch how many times someone takes an extra swipe at him after a whistle or a fight). He does stuff to fire up our team (the octopus toss, the Raitinans goal celebration). He fights rather well (4-0-6, according to hockeyfights) although he still seems a bit selective in his opponents. And, of course, he adds some occasional pop with his stick (15 goals).

Here's what he isn't, though: David Backes. Despite Altitude's attempts to sell you on this all year, Cody McLeod is not quite on par with the St Louis forward with 32 goals and 162 penalty minutes. Altitudue came up with cooked-up stats to show that McLeod and Backes were the two guys in the NHL who could score goals AND provide toughness. In fact, McLeod was one of 17 guys with 10+ goals and 100+ penalty minutes and one of 5 in the 10/150 club. Not that there's anything wrong with being in the club, it's just that's it's not quite as meaningful as it's been portrayed. And scoring 15 goals and having 162 penalty minutes does not mean you are a power forward.

McLeod is a big-hitting tough guy who doesn't suck with the puck down low. He's a valuable player to have on your 4th line (or, as needed, the 3rd). And he's durable too, with just 3 games missed since making his debut. He takes a few too many penalties (80 minutes in minors alone this year), and he does go on some stretches where you wonder if he's still playing (no fighting majors over the last 32 games). He doesn't kill penalties well and is probably out of place anywhere above the 3rd line, but otherwise he's a great guy to have. He's no Backes, but I'm glad to have him anyway.

Fun Fact: McLeod is one of 6 undrafted players to appear for the Avalanche last year, but was the only one to play in a significant number of games.

The Cody McLeod Drinking Game: Drink when someone replays the clip of McLeod's goal celebration in the penalty box  Drunk potential: High, but I'd love it to be even higher.

What I Said Last Year: "Quenneville obviously had a major affinity for McLeod (he often put McLeod on the ice for the opening faceoff). Will Tony Granato have the same level of love? Despite the (over) abundance of, um, muckers on the team, I think McLeod will find a considerable share of ice time next year."

2008 Salary (and Cap Number): $522K ($522K)

2009-2010 Status: RFA ($574K QO)

Outlook for 2009: I think McLeod is an excellent guy to have as our 4th line LW. Perhaps with the right center (hint: not Arnason) he could have some effectiveness elsewhere, but I really think he's best on that line that goes out for 10-12 minutes a night and just works the hell out of things in the far corner. And as much as I like McLeod, I think we're in for a world of hurt if he's our 3rd highest goal-scorer again.

Next Up: Philippe Dupuis