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2008 Final Grade: D
2007 Grade: INC
Links:
{{parker}} (hockey-reference page)
2008 ITCS (aka highly unofficial) Parker game log
Season Stats: 25gp 0g 0a 0pt E
Minutes: 92.4 (19th), EV 3:42, :00 PP, :00 PK, ATOI 3:42
1st Half: 12gp 0g 0a 0pt E
2nd Half: 13gp 0g 0a 0pt E
Playoffs: DNP
Best Month: January (6gp)
Positions: RW (13), LW (12)
Lines: 4th (25)
Linemates: Parker season log
LW: Hlinka (5), Smith (3), Laperriere (2), McCormick (1), McLeod (1), Richardson (1)
C: Guite (18), Hensick (3), Smith (3), Wolski (1)
RW: Laperriere (10), Jones (2),
Season: Parker had no points, the 2nd scoreless season of his NHL career (1998-1999, when he played 27 games as a rookie).
Report: Even when the Sherriff got into the lineup, he was used sparingly, averaging just 3.7 minutes and just under 6 shifts a game. Generally, he'd get 3 or 4 shifts in the first 20 minutes and then ride the bench for the rest of the game. Frankly, with a lot of the heavyweights now out of the game, Parker had a tough time finding any willing dance partners (in fact, 3 of his 5 fights were with Calgary's Eric Godard). The first fight with Godard, on October 16th, was probably the highlight of the season for Parker. That was the game where the Flames were up 4-1 early in the 2nd. Parker and Godard squared off, Godard looked frightened and Parker won easily. The Avs responded by scoring 3 goals in the next 11 minutes and ended up winning the game in the shootout. I'm not really sure how to grade Parker; there's nothing inherently wrong with being a one-dimensional player and, of course, it's probably unfair to penalize him because few people had the balls to take him on. However, I'm grading based on overall contribution to the team, and, regardless of the reason, Parker's was minimal. And yes, I do believe his appearance in the lineup had some influence via the intimidation factor, but, I personally think the next sentence is more a quirky stat than anything else.
Fast Fact: Since he was acquired at the deadline in 2007, the Avalanche are 25-6-4 with Parker in the lineup.
2007-2008 Salary (and Cap Number): $475,000 ($475,000)
2008-2009 Status: UFA
Outlook: I like Parker, but I think the emergence of Cody McCormick and Cody McLeod makes him an unlikely candidate to return next year. Guys in the mold of Parker - guys who can fight but not much else - seem to be getting scarcer in the NHL. Last year there were just 6 players with more than 150 penalty minutes and less than 20 points. In 2003-2004, the last year before the lockout (thanks Gary!), there were 12. In 2000-2001, there were 19. Sadly, enforcers like the Sherriff are getting phased out and Parker may be lucky to find any NHL employment.