photo courtesy Darren McCollester / Getty Images

The grades are complete, but, before we say goodbye to them for the year, we thought it would be a good idea to milk this one more time recap the grades. There was a bit of contention about the grades this year - perhaps too much. Rest assured, the crack, oversized staff here at MHH will do everything we can to put even less thought and effort tweak things for next year. That's a long way away, though, so here's your final chance to weigh in on this year's grades:

Staff:

• Greg Sherman: B. A solid grade for the Avalanche GM
• Joe Sacco: C-. Opinions were decidedly split in the poll 53% to 46% in favor of changing the coach.
  

Forwards:

• Matt Duchene: A-. Jibblescribbits did not agree.
• Tomas Fleischmann: B+. Will Flash be brought back? It's not sounding promising.
• Milan Hejduk: B. A mostly solid season for the Duke.
• Chris Stewart: B. Can this guy score or what?
• Paul Stastny: B. A good season, but he's no Tyler Bozak.
• Philippe Dupuis: B-. One of the Avs most consistent players all year...unfortunately.
• Jay McClement: B-. I think this one is too high, but it's not like I run the place or anything.
• Greg Mauldin: B-. One of our favorites, which means we'll never see him in a unipron again.
• David Jones: B-. Just a little more consistency, please.
• Kevin Porter: C+. A tough one to evaluate
• Daniel Winnik: C+. Guess who gave him a B?
• Ryan O'Reilly: C+. Due for a big grade improvement next year.
• Mark Olver: C+. A pleasant surprise.
• Cody McLeod: C-. The season was more like Highlander II.
• David Koci: D+. Everyone's favorite punching bag.
• Ryan Stoa: D+. Although he did outscore T.J. Hensick.
• T.J. Galiardi: D+. I want to believe.
• Brandon Yip: D-. A lot of people thought we were too hard on Yip.
• Peter Forsberg: INC. But still a total fucking badass.
• David van der Gulik: INC. At least one BU alumni will be back.
  

Defensemen:

• John Michael Liles: A-. One of his best seasons, and graded accordingly.
• Eirk Johnson: B+. Turnovers seemed to be the biggest negative in our evaluation.
• Kevin Shattenkirk: B+. I'm not crying; there's dust in my eye.
• Scott Hannan: B+. Hey, maybe we should sign this guy this summer?
• Ryan O'Byrne: B. We were fairly unanimous across the board in our love for OB Wan. 4 Bs, 1 B+.
• Ryan Wilson: B. Too high, you say? Tough shit.
• Jonas Holos: C+. Almost crept to B-.
• Cameron Gaunce: C+. Still waiting for his first win in an Avalanche unipron.
• Adam Foote: C+. Thanks, Adam.
• Matt Hunwick: C. Looking at these ranked like this, I'd say his grade is about right.
• Kyle Cumiskey: C-. Definitely a downer of a year.
• Kyle Quincey: C-. Don't tell him, but I gave him a D-. We were all over the place: B-, C+, C, D+, D-.
• Shawn Belle: INC. AJ tried to give him an A, but we overruled him.
• David Liffiton: INC. He'll be back for another year of a vocal minority lobbying for a call-up.
• Colby Cohen: INC. He raised the Stanley Cup and you didn't.
• Ray Macias: INC. Did we miss anybody?

Goalies:

• Peter Budaj: D+. The Avs' best goalie...in the way that the funniest Howie Mandel joke is funny.
• Craig Anderson: D. No, you'll never know what really happened so stop thinking about it.
• Brian Elliott: D-. Thinking more and more the Avalanche will just cut bait.
  

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

Final Grade: C-

Midseason Grade: C-

Last Year: C

Position: LW (70gp), RW (1gp)

Lines: 4^th (50gp), 3^rd (20gp), 2^nd (1gp)

Vitals: 6'2" / 210 / 27 (on Sunday) / Shoots L

Drafted by: Undrafted

Joined Avalanche: Signed as a free agent, July 6, 2006

MHH Nicknames: Highlander, Cody Mac

Linemates:

C:

• Dupuis 40gp 4g 2a 6pt -2
• O'Reilly 14gp 1g 1a 2pt -1
• McClement 9gp 0g 0a 0pt -2
• Porter 4gp 0g 0a 0pt -1
• Duchene 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even
• Galiardi 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even
• Olver 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -2

RW:

• Koci 15gp 2g 0a 2pt -1
• Yip 15gp 1g 1a 2pt -6
• Winnik 13gp 0g 0a 0pt -2
• Mauldin 11gp 0g 1a 1pt -1
• Olver 3gp 1g 0a 1pt Even
• VDG 3gp 0g 1a 1pt Even
• Dupuis 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1
• Stewart 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even

Avs with McLeod in the lineup: 26-38-7 (.415pt%) 2.87 GF 3.56 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 9:46 (17^th)
• EV 9:06 (17^th)
• PK 0:29 (10^th)
• PP 0:10 (16^th)

Career Highlights: McLeod set a career high in penalty minutes with 189

Report: This is the last Report Card of the season, and coincidentally, it is the 39th entry in this series of reports. Cody Mac played 71 games this season and amassed 189 penalty minutes, which when averaged out leads to 2.66 penalty minutes a game. Most of his penalties were the results of fights. He had a whopping 14 fights this season, three misconducts, and one game misconduct.  An interesting fact: Highlander had 5 goals this season, 2 of which were on the power play. Not bad for a guy who averages 10 seconds of power play time per game. McLeod has wavered between an enforcer and a agitator role but hasn't been able to find a niche with either.

Fun Fact: Although the Avalanche dressed 39 players - 12 in their first or second year - no player had a jersey number in the 60s or higher. Only one other team this year had that same distinction: the Devils.

The Cody McLeod Drinking Game: Drink when McLeod hits someone  Drunk potential: High (tops among Avalanche forwards)

What We Said Last Year: It just seems like during the second half of the season, there were too many games where I just did not notice him. And for a pest, playing a quiet game is a cardinal sin.

2010 Cap Hit: $1,033,333

2011 Status: Signed through next season (UFA at expiry)

Outlook for Next Season: McLeod is a bit of a tweener - part enforcer, part checking forward, part agitator. While he's shown flashes in all three areas at times, he's never quite pulled one of them together with consistency (let alone all three).  The Avalanche have really seemed to favor forwards with some versatility lately - guys like Daniel Winnik and Kevin Porter. McLeod is one of the holdovers from the old regime and doesn't quite fit the new mold. We would not be shocked to see him dealt this summer. If not, pencil him in as the 4^th line left winger.

Next Up: The End (and probably some sort of half-assed recap thingy tomorrow)

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

Final Grade: B-

Midseason Grade: B

Last Year: A

Position:

• LW (38gp 16g 8a 24pt -1)
• RW (39gp 11g 10a 21pt -1)

Lines:

• 1^st (39gp 10g 11a 21pt -5)
• 2^nd (34gp 13g 5a 18pt Even)
• 3^rd (4gp 4g 2a 6pt +3)

Vitals: 6'2 / 210 / Age 26 / Shoot R

Drafted by Avalanche 9^th round (288^th overall) of 2003 Draft

Joined Avalanche: Debuted on December 21^st, 2007 against the Rangers

MHH Nicknames: Doctor Jones

Linemates:

LW:

• Fleischmann 11gp 1g 4a 5pt -3
• Porter 9gp 3g 2a 5pt +2
• Stoa 8gp 4g 0a 4pt +1
• Winnik 4gp 2g 0a 2pt -1
• Galiardi 3gp 0g 2a 2pt +2
• Duchene 1gp 0g 1a 1pt -1
• O'Reilly 1gp 0g 1a 1pt -1
• Yip 2gp 1g 0a 1pt Even

C:

• Stastny 38gp 12g 8a 20pt -4
• Duchene 28gp 7g 5a 12pt -4
• O'Reilly 9gp 7g 5a 12pt +7
• Galiardi 1gp 1g 0a 1pt Even
• McClement 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1

RW:

• Hejduk 20gp 6g 1a 7pt -4
• Stewart 10gp 4g 3a 7pt +1
• Yip 3gp 2g 1a 3pt +3
• Winnik 2gp 3g 3a 6pt +4
• Galiardi 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -2
• Mauldin 1gp 1g 0a 1pt -2
• Porter 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even

Avs with Jones in the lineup: 29-40-8 (.429 pt%) 2.77 GF 3.53 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 17:40 (5^th)
• EV 13:49 (7^th)
• PK 1:27 (6^th)
• PP 2:23 (6^th)

Career Highlights: In his 4^th year, Jonesy set new career highs in games played (77), goals (27), assists (18), points (45) and game winning goals (4)

Report: Jones played a whopping 77 games this year. No, you don't need your sarcasm meter for that one because that alone gives him an above average grade. Expectations, people. I don't think anyone would have guessed that David Jones would end up being one of the healthiest players on the team. Additionally, he put up a few points. Jones spent a great deal of time on the top line last year, and he held up pretty well. Sometimes he looked like he deserved to be there. At others he seemed better suited for the 2nd - or even 3rd - line. He's certainly a major cog in the Avalanche rebuilding wheel, and when he's healthy, he does his part to keep those wheels intact. Jones is a solid 30 27 goal scorer. Pretty good chance he'll reach that elusive 30 next year, though. Which is important....because, after all, 27 is different than 30.

Fun Fact: Jones was the valedictorian of his high school's graduating class.

The David Jones Drinking Game: Drink when Jones registers an assist Drunk potential: Poor

What We Said Last Year: Man, if David Jones can ever put together a full season, it'll be a sight to see.

2010 Cap Hit: $837,500

2011 Status: RFA ($892,500 QO)

Outlook for Next Season: Jones had similarly strong production from both the left and right wing and on both the first and second lines. This is great, because we really don't know where (or with whom) Jones will play next year. We do have a fairly good estimate of what Jones will make next year though. In 2009-2010, former 2003 9^th round pick Matt Moulson had a breakout year with the Islanders, scoring 30 goals and 18 assists. That summer, Moulson was an RFA, 1 year away from unrestricted free agency and the former Ivy Leaguer signed a 1-year, $2.45 million deal. Jones, a former 9^th round pick from an Ivy League school had a similar breakout year and is one year away from unrestricted free agency, should demand a comparable salary. Moulson, by the way, repeated his 30-goal season last year and then signed a 3-year extension at $3.1 million per. That's a great target for our beloved Dr Jones. Well, that and staying healthy, of course.

Next Up: Cody McLeod

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

Final Grade: C+

Midseason Grade: 

Last Year: B

Position: D

Vitals: 6'2 / 220 / Age 39 / Shoots R

Drafted by Quebec Nordiques, 2^nd round (22^nd overall) of 1989 Draft

Re-joined Avalanche: February 26, 2008 for a 2008 1^st rounder (Luca Sbisa) and 2009 4^th rounder (David Savard)

MHH Nicknames: Footer

Linemates:

• Hunwick 16gp 0g 2a 2pt -3
• Wilson 16gp 0g 2a 2pt Even
• Cumiskey 12gp 0g 2a 2pt -5
• Holos 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even
• Liles 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1
• Shattenkirk 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even

Avs with Foote in the lineup: 20-23-4 (.468 pt%) 2.79 GF 3.47 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 17:55 (12^th)
• EV 14:46 (10^th)
• PK 2:50 (3^rd)
• PP 0:08 (12^th)

Career Highlights: Foote finishes up 3^rd all-time for the Avalanche (only) in games played and 11^th in points (1 behind Chris Drury)

Report: I'll always remember Adam Foote's final game in an Avalanche uniform, in which he cried Havoc and let slip the dogs of war for the final time. Seeing his kids standing at the blue line during the anthems and remembering the scene of Foote walking through the tunnel and sitting on the bench after we had brought him back home, it felt like Foote's career had come full circle. The end was nigh. The standing ovation the crowd gave him during the first period. The video montage celebrating his career. He brought the electricity back to the crypt that had become the Pepsi Center. Vintage Adam Foote was on display in the final shift of his great career. Clutching, grabbing, and imposing his will on any Oilers who dared enter his section of the ice, Foote reminded us all of the glory days.  Rules be damned, Foote went out the way Foote came into the league: kicking ass first and never bothering to ask questions later. Nay, the end is here. We love you and wish you farewell, Footer. <3

Fun Fact: Only 3 numbers higher than the 35 of Tony Esposito and Mike Richter have been retired* by an NHL team: 66 (Mario Lemieux), 77 (Ray Bourque, twice) and 99 (Wayne Gretzky, twice).

*Apples Gilmour's #93 was honored by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but not retired.

The Adam Foote Drinking Game: Drink whenever someone talks about Footer's nose.   Drunk potential: You're in for a long night. Or short, depending on your alcohol tolerance.

What We Said Last Year: Footer is a stay at home defenseman that uses his strength to dominate opponents. His style still works, assuming he doesn't have to chase anybody to apply it. Although Foote's overall game and on-ice contributions have declined with his advancing age, he was a great captain for the Avalanche, and the right choice to follow Super Joe.

2010 Cap Hit: $1,250,000

2011 Status: Retired

Outlook for Next Season: Golf, some coaching, more golf, making Duchene clean his room, more golf, watching his number raised to the rafters, more golf, shooing people from his lawn and golf. You got a problem with that?

Next Up: David Jones

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

Final Grade: C

Position: D (50gp), LW (1gp)

Vitals: 5'11" / 190 lbs / Age 26 / Shoots L

Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 7^th round (224^th overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft

Joined Avalanche: November 29, 2011, in a trade that sent prospect Colby Cohen to Beantown.

MHH Nicknames:

Linemates:

F: Dupuis & Yip 1gp 0g 0a 0p -1

• Foote 16gp 0g 3a 3pt -7
• Shattenkirk 11gp 0g 1a 1pt -2
• Holos 9gp 0g 2a 2pt -5
• Gaunce 5gp 0g 3a 3pt Even
• Johnson 5gp 0g 0a 0pt -2
• O'Byrne 1gp 0g 1a 1pt +1
• Wilson 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1
• 7^th D 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1

Avs with Hunwick in the lineup: 15-29-7 (.363 pt%) 2.45 GF 3.65 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 19:30 (8^th)
• EV 15:36 (7^th)
• PK 2:22 (6^th)
• PP 1:31 (9^th)

Career Highlights: Appeared in his 200^th NHL game on February 26, 2011, vs. the LA Kings.

Report: Hunwick started off slowly with the Avalanche, to say the least. In addition to not producing, he was a seeming liability. His play was so questionable, in fact, that a Twitter hashtag of #BlameHunwick not only started trending, but it also ended up on the entry gate at the Avs' practice facility in Centennial. Why Joe Sacco continued to play him over other fan favorites like Jonas Holøs and Cameron Gaunce became a familiar subject across the Avalanche blogosphere. It seemed the coach knew something we fans didn't, however, as Hunwick's play improved, eventually making him a solid player on a broken team. Between mid-February and the end of the season, he put up 7 of his 10 points with the Avs and logged as high as 27:52 minutes of ice time. Hunwick's season certainly was a case of Jekyll and Hyde.

Fun Fact: In 2008, Hunwick had a six-game scoring streak, tying the Bruin's record for rookie defensemen set by Ray Bourque

The Matt Hunwick Drinking Game: Drink when someone comments about how bad Hunwick is. Drunk potential: Higher than it should be.

What We Said Last Year: NA

2010 Cap Hit: $1,450,000

2011 Status: RFA ($1,450,000 QO)

Outlook for Next Season: Frankly, we still don't "get" the Hunwick trade. We traded something we don't have a lot of - a big, young blueliner with a good shot who didn't seem afraid of mixing it up a bit - for something we have an abundance of - another smallish, mobile defenseman. While Hunwick did settle down last year after a very poor post-trade start, he never quite wowed us to a point where we said "yeah, that trade makes sense now." Will we ever see that? Hunwick has never scored more than 30 points in a season (college, AHL or NHL). The Avalanche blueline projects to be crowded next year, making it tough to project where he fits into the grand scheme of things, other than helping them get to the cap floor with that $1.5 million salary.

Next Up: Adam Foote

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

Final Grade: B

Midseason Grade: B-

Last Year: B+

Position: D

Vitals: 6'1" / 207 lbs / Age 24 / Shoots L

Drafted by: Undrafted

Joined Avalanche: March 4^th, 2009 with Lawrence Nicholat and 2^nd round pick (Stefan Elliott) for Jordan Leopold

MHH Nicknames: Mack Truck

Linemates:

• Foote 16gp 0g 4a 4pt Even
• Shattenkirk 16gp 2g 3a 5pt -3
• Johnson 13gp 0g 3a 3pt -5
• O'Byrne 6gp 0g 1a 1pt -4
• Liles 5gp 0g 0a 0pt +5
• Hannan 4gp 0g 4a 4pt +2
• 7^th D 3gp 1g 0a 1pt +2
• Quincey 2gp 0g 0a 0pt -3
• Holos 1gp 0g 0a 0pt -1
• Hunwick 1gp 0g 0a 0pt Even

Avs with Wilson in the lineup: 26-35-6 (.432 pt%) 2.79 GF 3.57 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 19:48 (5^th)
• EV 16:35 (4^th)
• PK 2:25 (5^th)
• PP 0:47 (9^th)

Career Highlights: Wilson set a new career high in games played (67) and tied his career best in goals (3)

Report: There was concern that Wilson wouldn't be the same after his concussion woes in 2009-2010. Even after cleared to play, he seemed to shy away from the big hits (although he wasn't afraid to drop the gloves a time or two.) Last season, however, saw the return of the Mack Truck hit. Even better, his defensive positioning was much improved, and he was simply smarter with the puck. There were times, especially when paired with Kevin Shattenkirk, when Wilson tried to do too much. He suddenly forgot he was a defensive d-man and started pinching in far too frequently, resulting in some odd man rushes going the other way. As the season wore on, though, he timed those plays better and was more successful. 2011-2012 could prove to be the start of some truly solid seasons for Wilson. He has shown that he can be a reliable guard on the blueline, and the improvements he's made in his overall game speak volumes of his character and potential. Mack Truck will never be a 1-2 guy, but he definitely can be the kind of player to help his team win the Cup -- especially if the road to it has Vancouver along the way. All he would have to do is look at the Sedins, and they'd fall down in a whimpering mess.

Fun Fact: The Flames got 25 games and 5 points out of the deadline deal for Wilson and the pick that became Stefan Elliott

The Ryan Wilson Drinking Game: Drink for the big hits  Drunk potential: Oh yeah

What We Said Last Year: Another young Avalanche defenseman with a boat load of potential, Ryan Wilson owned a mini break out of a season (and he was supposed to be leftovers in that trade for Leopold). He busted onto the scene dropping players with monster hits like Avs fans haven't seen since......it's been too long.  

2010 Cap Hit: $551,666

2011 Status: RFA ($550,000 QO)

Outlook for Next Season: Wilson is one of three Avalanche restricted free agents who can bank on a nice raise this summer (the other two would be David Jones and Ryan O'Byrne). Wilson was a bargain last year, with the 3^rd best ratio of hits per dollar among all defensemen last year (O'Byrne, by the way, was 9^th). To get a gauge for his salary, I looked around for other defensemen with similar age / experience, offensive numbers (3-13-16) and hits (135) on non-entry level contracts. The two closest I could find were Nashville's Kevin Klein (26, 2-16-18, 128) who is making $1.35 million and former Avalanche Johnny Boychuk (27, 3-13-16, 117) at $1.875 million. Shall we split the difference and pencil in Wilson for $1.5 million?

Next Up: Matt Hunwick

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

Final Grade: C+

Position: D

Vitals: 6'1" / 203 / Age 21 / Shoot L

Drafted by Avalanche, 2^nd round (50^th overall) of 2008 Draft

Joined Avalanche: Debuted against Nashville, February 12^th, 2010

MHH Nicknames: Cameron Awesome

Linemates:

• Hunwick 5gp 0g 0a 0pt -2
• Holos 4gp 1g 0a 1pt -1
• Liles 2gp 0g 0a 0pt Even

Avs with Gaunce in the lineup: 0-9-2 (.090 pt %) 2.0 GF 4.18 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 12:43 (15^th)
• EV 11:09 (15^th)
• PK 1:28 (12^th)
• PP 0:06 (14^th)

Career Highlights: Gaunce scored his first NHL goal (and point) against Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury on February 16^th, 2011

Report: Cameron Gaunce was once a sort of forgotten prospect, stuck somewhere in-between the star prospects like Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen, and Stefan Elliott. The only guy in the prospect hopper with significant defensive upside, Gaunce showed up in an Avalanche uniform swinging. This is a guy who perceived malfeasance against one of his teammates while he was still in the penalty box and promptly stepped onto the ice and attempted to kick the guy's ass (he didn't succeed but that isn't the point), earning him 5 more minutes of isolation. A decent decision maker with a good outlet pass, Gaunce is a guy whose offense might reach 20-25 points in his prime but whose defense and physicality should make him a very valuable stalwart along the blueline for years to come. From his recent appearance at the OHL awards ceremony, we also know Gaunce handles pressure well and has a decently quick wit about him. A solid rookie season in which he played very well for Lake Erie and showed glimpses for the Avalanche, Gaunce should only continue to improve his game and his chances of making the Avalanche roster permanently.

Fun Fact: AJ loves him.

The Cameron Gaunce Drinking Game: Drink if Gaunce is your favorite player  Drunk potential: Only for one of us

2010 Cap Hit: $845,833

2011 Status: Signed for two more years

Outlook for Next Season: Gaunce seems to have a lot of supporters out there in ‘Lanche Land. Based on his meager ice time (only Liffiton and Koci had less ice time on D), we're not sure that Joe Sacco is one of them. We kind of liked what we saw - especially his willingness to drop the gloves even if it meant getting his ass kicked - but we're not the ones making the decisions. We're just the ones doling out grades on some mystery curve and making passive aggressive suggestions to give guys like Gaunce more ice time.

Next Up: Ryan Wilson

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

Final Grade: INC

Position: D

Vitals: 6'2" / 195 / Age 24 / Shoots Right

Drafted by Avalanche, 5^th round (124^th) of 2005 NHL Draft

Joined Avalanche: Debuted on April 1^st, 2009 against Phoenix

MHH Nicknames:

Linemates: Shawn Belle (1gp), David Koci (1gp)

Avs with Macias in the lineup: 0-2-0 (.00 pt %), 2 GF 3.5 GA

Ice Time:

• TTOI 15:06 (14^th)
• EV 13:43 (13^th)
• PK 0:47 (12^th)
• PP 0:35 (10^th)

Career Highlights: Macias has now played in 173 games for the Monsters, a franchise high (previous record was 160 by Wes O'Neill)

Report: Once considered a fringe prospect, Ray Macias's breakout at the NHL level last season was one of the brighter and more unexpected stories of the dismal Avalanche season. Showing his renowned good skating skills and combining it with a surprising amount of physicality, Macias showed off an extensively developed two-way game that will find a place along the Avalanche blueline for years to come. His decision-making and crisp first pass will likely serve as a quality asset on the second PP unit and will make the loss of Kevin Shattenkirk far more bearable. I, for one, look forward to seeing Macias re-signed before FA opens up and seeing him in an Avs uni next year because clearly I didn't see him play this season. How did I end up with the report for this grade, again?

Fun Fact: In 1996, the Avalanche traded Stephane Fiset to the Kings for Eric Lacroix. The teams also swapped 1998 1^st round picks in the deal (Lacroix was stockpiling picks to try to get Vinny Lecavalier). The Avalanche ended up choosing Martin Skoula, who they traded in 2003 for Kurt Sauer and a 5^th round pick in 2005. That 2005 pick was Ray Macias and...wait, what were we talking about again?

The Ray Macias Drinking Game: *scratches head*  Drunk potential: *empty look*

2010 Cap Hit: $550,000

2011 Status: RFA ($605,000 QO)

Outlook for Next Season: Macias was a surprise re-sign last year, re-upping last June (like Philippe Dupuis and Kevin Porter, he signed before the deadline for the Avalanche to extend a qualifying offer (and at a lower salary). If he returns, it will be strictly for the Monsters...a team that already has a bunch of defensemen.

Next Up: Cameron Gaunce