Final Grade: Kevin Shattenkirk

by David Driscoll-Carignan on May 10, 2011 7:00 AM MDT in Final Grades 2011

DENVER CO - NOVEMBER 6: Kevin Shattenkirk #8 of the Colorado Avalanche shoots during warm-ups prior to playing against the Dallas Stars during the third period of their game at the Pepsi Center on November 6 2010 in Denver Colorado. Colorado won the game 5-0. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)

This report card is a joint effort by Beachie, Sandie, Paul, SlamDunktheFunk and DDC. Stats courtesy of hockey-reference.com and NHL.com

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Kevin Shattenkirk	72	9	34	43	-4	36	3	0	2		108


Final Grade

Final Grade: B+

Midseason Grade: A-

Position: D

Vitals: 5'11" / 193 / Age 22 / Shoot Right

Drafted by Colorado, 1^st round (14^th overall) of the 2007 Draft

Departed Avalanche on February 19^th with Chris Stewart and 2^nd round pick for Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and 1^st round pick

MHH Nicknames: Shatty, Ensign Kirk

Linemates:

Ryan Wilson 16gp 1g 6a 7pt -4
Matt Hunwick 9gp 1g 2a 3pt -4
Scott Hannan 8gp 3g 4a 7pt +1
Kyle Quincey 7gp 2g 7a 9pt Even
John Michael Liles 2gp 0g 0a 0pt -4
Jonas Holos 1gp 0g 0a 0pt +1
Adam Foote 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1

Avs with Shattenkirk in the lineup: 18-22-6 (.456 pt%), 2.8 GF 3.4 GA

Ice Time (with Avs):

TTOI 19:50 (4^th)
EV 16:27 (5^th)
PK 0:17 (15^th)
PP 3:05 (3^rd)

Career Highlights: Shattenkirk was named to the Young Guns squad at the 2011 NHL All-Star game

Report: Kevin Shattenkirk was full of surprises in 2011. First, he was a surprise late cut in training camp, losing out in a roster battle to Jonas Holos. Then, he surprised us by struggling offensively in Lake Erie, going scoreless in their first 10 games (his longest NHL scoreless streak is just 9 games). Then, when injuries to Adam Foote, Ryan Wilson and Kyle Cumiskey led to a call-up 12 games into the season, Shattenkirk surprised us by being unexpectedly composed and competent in his own end (something we hadn't seen in camp). Shattenkirk obviously has the offensive chops as the early 9-game scoring streak (longest rookie scoring streak of the year) and 43-point season will attest to. We didn't expect him to be so calm, cool and collected in his own end - whether it was dazzling us with his confident moves behind his blueline or by picking the pocket of the puck carrier. And, for a smallish guy, he wasn't afraid to use the body. Case in point: Defender A played 47 games and had 55 hits and 67 blocked shots while Defender B had 51 hits and 64 blocks in 46 games. Defender A is Adam Foote and Defender B is Shattenkirk. Surprise! Shattenkirk got some early Calder buzz from...well, pretty much just us. That effort fizzled, but he was named to the Young Guns thingamabob at the All-Star game (where, surprise, we learned he uses the same barber as T.J. Hensick). The biggest surprise, of course, is that Shattenkirk was dealt to the Blues - proof positive that not all surprises are good.

Fun Fact: Shattenkirk led all Avalanche blueliners in takeaways, with 33 in 46 games.

The Shattenkirk Drinking Game: Drink for every point Shattenkirk scores with the Blues. Drink twice when he assists on a goal by Chris Stewart Drunk potential: Sad drunk.

What We Said At Midseason: I think he would benefit from keeping his head up along the boards a bit more as he seems to be the beneficiary of too many avoidable hits, but once he has the puck nobody sees the ice better. And he needs to shoot more. Here's hoping he turns it back on and brings the Calder home this summer.

2010 Cap Hit: $1,300,000

2011 Status: In St Louis

Outlook for Next Season: Shattenkirk was going to be one of the Avs' building blocks for the future, but he'll be lending his services to the Blues for the foreseeable future. While we're big fans of Chris Stewart, we can't help but think that losing Shattenkirk is ultimately going to be the pain point of the Johnson deal.

Next Up: Matt Duchene

Poll

Who will the Avs end up missing the most?

Chris Stewart

106 votes

Kevin Shattenkirk

73 votes

2011 2nd rounder

7 votes

186 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 53 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Paging Stefan Elliott, will Stefan Elliott please report to the NHL.

Jonas Holøs- Putting the Ø in defense since 2010! Putting the Ø in øffense since Game 7.

by niwotsblessing on May 10, 2011 7:27 AM MDT reply actions

Well, that wasn’t depressing AT ALL!!

If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!

by Mike @ MHH on May 10, 2011 7:36 AM MDT reply actions

Just wait for the Stewart one

Patrit19: Languishing for Landeskog since 2011
Fuck the red wings indeed
Thats What Sherman Said

by patrit19 on May 10, 2011 7:38 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Nope. This is worse. I voted Shattenkirk.

by MalachiConstant on May 10, 2011 7:38 AM MDT up reply actions

Good Elliot will make you feel better

Patrit19: Languishing for Landeskog since 2011
Fuck the red wings indeed
Thats What Sherman Said

by patrit19 on May 10, 2011 7:41 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I hope so.

If he doesn’t, I’ll cry.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions

Or Barrie

Avalanche Shutouts are a powerful Aphrodisiac
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on May 10, 2011 8:15 AM MDT up reply actions

how are we going to tell Elliott and Barrie apart? I’m already confused

I am the most humble blogger of all time

by David Driscoll-Carignan on May 10, 2011 8:22 AM MDT up reply actions

Call them both “Kirk” and be done with it, I say.

by MalachiConstant on May 10, 2011 8:29 AM MDT up reply actions

We’ll just call them Styson Barriot

Avalanche Shutouts are a powerful Aphrodisiac
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on May 10, 2011 8:33 AM MDT up reply actions

Elliott’s actually 3 inches talker than Barrie.

But I’m fine with Styson Barriott 1 and Styson Barriott 2. SB1 and SB 2.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 8:41 AM MDT up reply actions

3 inches talker? Is he a smooth talker and and Barrie isn’t? ;)

Winnik is a fucking #Winner. Le P'tit Français est un Des Boys. Can Johnson bring me loads of happiness? Bucket Loads. Ryan O`Byrne must have #TigerBlood

Because 30 is different than 20.

by Sandie Gauthier on May 10, 2011 11:01 AM MDT up reply actions

Yes. Yes, I’m sure that’s it. My inability to spell had absolutely no affect on that statement. :)

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 11:07 AM MDT up reply actions

Hahaha no worries, I’m worse.

Winnik is a fucking #Winner. Le P'tit Français est un Des Boys. Can Johnson bring me loads of happiness? Bucket Loads. Ryan O`Byrne must have #TigerBlood

Because 30 is different than 20.

by Sandie Gauthier on May 10, 2011 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions

You’re only 3 inches talker b/c you wear heals all the time.

Where’s my award for worst joke of the day?

by MalachiConstant on May 10, 2011 12:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Please, you’d have to give me at least 4 or 5 inches talker.

Winnik is a fucking #Winner. Le P'tit Français est un Des Boys. Can Johnson bring me loads of happiness? Bucket Loads. Ryan O`Byrne must have #TigerBlood

Because 30 is different than 20.

by Sandie Gauthier on May 10, 2011 12:37 PM MDT up reply actions

A good replacement for Thing #1 and Thing #2?

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on May 10, 2011 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions

But the Avs still have Thing #1 and Thing #2

Winnik is a fucking #Winner. Le P'tit Français est un Des Boys. Can Johnson bring me loads of happiness? Bucket Loads. Ryan O`Byrne must have #TigerBlood

Because 30 is different than 20.

by Sandie Gauthier on May 10, 2011 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions

Who are Thing #1 and Thing #2?

And if those nicknames can’t be stolen, I’m still for SB #1 (Elliott, because he’s 3 inches talker) and SB #2 (Barrie)

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 1:00 PM MDT up reply actions

Cumiskey and Quincey (the Kyles).

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on May 10, 2011 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Ah, so IR #1 and IR #2!

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 5:29 PM MDT up reply actions

B+? A true fan would’ve given him a F!
Why do you hate the Avalanche?

Re: Poll – Despite his occasional wolskiing, Stewart isn’t nearly as replaceable (at the moment) as Shatty is IMO.

Because....fuck the Red Wings!

Red Robbery - A FC Bayern Blog

by StiflersMom on May 10, 2011 8:58 AM MDT reply actions

I think the “at the moment” aspect is key. In the immediate future, I can see us missing Stewie. But as much as I love the CGDS thing, I think in the long run, Shatty is a bigger loss as his ceiling is higher.

Thank you, Footer. You - and your nose - will never be forgotten.
Avalanche Breakaway: a blog of hockey goodness

by Cheryl Bradley on May 10, 2011 11:47 AM MDT up reply actions

I wonder if Stewart’s motivation will continue into next year? I don’t think you have to worry about that with Shattenkirk, he’ll end up being the guy that the avs miss the most. In a couple of years when people look back on that trade they’ll think Shattenkirk was the primary player and Stewart was thrown in.

Each of my replies is a work of art, each more brilliant than the last.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on May 10, 2011 9:05 AM MDT reply actions

Here's Hoping ...

That Elliott, Holos, Quincey, etc pick up the production next season. Shattenkirk was one of my favorite Avs, and I completely agree that in a few years he will be the one we miss most out of this trade. I hope he has good success in St. Louis though – it’ll help my keeper fantasy team (I’m not trading Shatty) :)

by tdeucer on May 10, 2011 9:38 AM MDT reply actions

He’s on my keeper league team too. However, I’m not very confident that he can continue with the offensive success next year. I haven’t decided for sure to keep him either. I wonder if the Avs thought that he wasn’t as good as his stats were showing. It would, at least, help explain why they were willing to trade him. That and we have several more players like him in our system.

I also wonder about how much the team liked Stewart. I know a lot of fans and media say that we now have to replace him with another power-forward, but maybe that’s not the plan at all. They could be looking for pure skill, rather than power. If that’s the case, it’s very possible that the Avs select Huber with #2.

by mcarson01 on May 10, 2011 10:10 AM MDT up reply actions

True … I just wish they would’ve traded Elliott, Cumiskey or Holos in that deal instead of Shatty.

by tdeucer on May 10, 2011 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Really? I’m very high on Elliot, so I’m glad they didn’t trade him. It probably came down to Shatty being worth more at the moment. But I think Elliot could turn out to be the better all-around player (defense/ offense/ size). Although, from a fantasy keeper league perspective, I would rather have Shatty, at the moment.

by mcarson01 on May 10, 2011 1:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Kevin who? Doesn’t ring a bell.

When this year becomes last year, next year will be looking pretty good.

by Andy_Joe on May 10, 2011 10:28 AM MDT reply actions

Shattenkirk has great vision for a D and should prove to be pretty effective. However, he still has areas of his defensive game (kind of an important aspect for a defenseman. Crazy talk, I know.) that are iffy. Jack Parker wasn’t happy with this D game at all in his Senior year at BU. He’s going to get better but I’m not sure if he ever turns in to a top pairing defenseman that the Avs envisioned shortly after his draft year.

I'll keep this brief.

by Dario on May 10, 2011 10:35 AM MDT reply actions

If the Avs pick a D at 11th in this draft it’s going to make for an interesting comparison in the years to come.

I'll keep this brief.

by Dario on May 10, 2011 10:37 AM MDT up reply actions

Yes, I’m going to have a conversation with myself. I’m not too proud.

Something I never saw before was this quote from coach Parker right after the BU season ended with Shattenkirk as the captain. http://thebostonhockeyblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/postseason-notebook-shattenkirk.html

Players won’t get to pick next year’s captains

After being disappointed with his team’s attitude and leadership both on and off the ice all season, Parker said the players will not get to choose next year’s captains like they usually do.

“It doesn’t mean that next year’s team won’t pick the captains for the year after, or the two of us might do it together,” Parker said. “This year’s team usually votes for next year’s captains, but that’s not going to happen this year.”

The captains for the next season are usually announced at the Friends of Hockey Banquet in April, but Parker said that might not happen this year.

I'll keep this brief.

by Dario on May 10, 2011 10:41 AM MDT up reply actions

Wow, that does seem like a slap in the face to Shatty.

by mcarson01 on May 10, 2011 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Ouch. No kidding.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions

I totally agree. People are so high on Shatty — and I agree his offensive potential is excellent — but his defense was not impressive. Without some major improvement on D, which would be a little surprising at this point in his development curve, he’s a Liles. Smallish, middle pairing, very average defensively PMD/PPQB. And that’s not an asset we were hurting for.

"I’m predicting 50pts in the NHL for Hensick next season. Anyone want to put $20 on it?" - DetAvs, Jun 18, 2010 3:45 AM EDT
Hensick stats: 13 games, 1g/2a/3p THOMAS/DETAVS: I WANT MY $20

by thedoctor on May 10, 2011 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions

from the admittedly too-few games we saw him, I thought he was light years ahead of Liles at the same age.

I am the most humble blogger of all time

by David Driscoll-Carignan on May 10, 2011 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions

Both of their defensive work is/was pretty poor at this point. Shattenkirk is a little bigger and has a better shot, but Liles’ passing and skating is a bit superior imo.

As is usually the case, we overlook the bad plays of rookies while they develop…but Shattenkirk was pretty bad deep in his own zone. I was concerned even before the trade — small defensemen simply struggle down low, and you can’t have too many of them.

"I’m predicting 50pts in the NHL for Hensick next season. Anyone want to put $20 on it?" - DetAvs, Jun 18, 2010 3:45 AM EDT
Hensick stats: 13 games, 1g/2a/3p THOMAS/DETAVS: I WANT MY $20

by thedoctor on May 10, 2011 11:40 AM MDT up reply actions

Fwiw I thought that Liles’ hustle this season greatly improved his positioning; enabling him to make responsible defensive plays consistently.

"Darren Pang sounds like a dad trying to be cool." - Markussh

by CrankyPete on May 10, 2011 12:36 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Liles played on a cup contending team in front of Roy and paired with Rob Blake.

Shattenkirk played with, well you know what he played with. I think Shatty is a solid NHL defenseman but he’s going to be pressed to cover a top pairing unless he’s got a stud covering him on the other side. He’s a Rafalski looking for his Neidermeyer.

I'll keep this brief.

by Dario on May 10, 2011 3:23 PM MDT up reply actions

and you wonder what might happen if Liles ever played next to a stud as well at this stage in his career — maybe we’ll see with EJ.

"I’m predicting 50pts in the NHL for Hensick next season. Anyone want to put $20 on it?" - DetAvs, Jun 18, 2010 3:45 AM EDT
Hensick stats: 13 games, 1g/2a/3p THOMAS/DETAVS: I WANT MY $20

by thedoctor on May 10, 2011 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Liles and Larsson. The Double-L Defense.

Jonas Holøs- Putting the Ø in defense since 2010! Putting the Ø in øffense since Game 7.

by niwotsblessing on May 10, 2011 5:21 PM MDT up reply actions

That wouldn’t be terrible.

Quincey/EJ
Liles/Larsson
Wilson or Gaunce/Good Elliott or OB

Doesn’t help much on the left side though, which is where we’re hurting. And I still think a forward is a better choice for #2. But hey – I trust the Avs. Whatever they want to do is good by me.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who <3s the Avs.

by andidee15 on May 10, 2011 5:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Good Elliott will play for LEM until someone is injured, then he gets called up and pulls a Shattenkirk by playing so well that management can’t send him down. In a couple of years Chouinard could take Liles’ place, better point shot, more size, the rebuild rolls on.

Jonas Holøs- Putting the Ø in defense since 2010! Putting the Ø in øffense since Game 7.

by niwotsblessing on May 11, 2011 6:36 AM MDT up reply actions

small defensemen simply struggle down low, and you can’t have too many of them.

The avs are brainwashing you

(yes i knew what you meant)

Avalanche Shutouts are a powerful Aphrodisiac
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on May 10, 2011 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions

What is the point of giving a player a grade if he isn’t even on the team any more.

by Avs_Man on May 10, 2011 8:47 PM MDT reply actions

....sorry to offend you, dude.

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.

by A.J. Haefele on May 10, 2011 9:52 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Because he, ummm, played for the team during the season. This isn’t “player grades for the current team.” This is “player grades for 2010-2011.”

Thank you, Footer. You - and your nose - will never be forgotten.
Avalanche Breakaway: a blog of hockey goodness

by Cheryl Bradley on May 11, 2011 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

It says final grade and he wasn’t around for the finally. I’m just saying none of us really care about him any more.

by Avs_Man on May 11, 2011 6:50 PM MDT up reply actions

I’m just saying none of us really care about him any more.

Speak for yourself, Your Imperial Majesty.

2010-2011 Colorado Avalanche: Hugging the cap floor and waiting on their revenue share, because hey, billionaires need welfare too!

by Hopfenkopf on May 11, 2011 9:44 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs

Final grade means his ending grade.

Winnik is a fucking #Winner. Le P'tit Français est un Des Boys. Can Johnson bring me loads of happiness? Bucket Loads. Ryan O`Byrne must have #TigerBlood

Because 30 is different than 20.

by Sandie Gauthier on May 12, 2011 11:33 AM MDT up reply actions

I don’t miss him at all. Johnson is bigger and more physical and he also has an offensive upside. I don’t think the Avs will regret this trade, but I don’t think the Blues will either. Good trade for both sides.

by Avs_Man on May 10, 2011 8:50 PM MDT reply actions