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2008 Final Grade: Kyle Cumiskey

By David Driscoll-Carignan

2008 Final Grade: C

2007 Grade: INC

Links:

2007 Report

{{cumiskey}} (hockey-reference page)

2008 ITCS (aka highly unofficial) Cumiskey game log

Season Stats: 38gp 0g 5a 5pt -3

Minutes: 460.9 (9th). EV 10:38, PP 1:27, PK :03 ATOI 10:38

1st Half: 30gp 0g 5a 5pt E

2nd Half: 8gp 0g 0a 0pt -3

Playoffs: DNP

Best Month: December (14gp 0g 1a 1pt +3)

Linemates: Hannan (13), Finger (11), Leopold (4), Salei (2), Liles (2), Clark (1), Skrastins (1), Foote (1)

Season: In his 2nd partial NHL season, Cumiskey set a career high in gp (38), assists (5) and points.

Report: After his second NHL season, Kyle Cumiskey remains one of the most interesting players on the team. He's like a little waterbug zipping back and forth around the ice. When you think of a speedy, diminutive defenseman, you're going to think he's an offense-only guy. Actually, it's been the opposite so far in the NHL. He uses his speed effectively in the defensive zone, and his breathtaking stickhandling to get out of the zone is a blast to watch (even if it is unnerving). And then he steps over the redline and the carriage turns into a pumpkin. He seems hesitant to pass the puck, instead favoring the hand-delivery method (Kyle, you're fast, but not that fast). And 19 shots in 38 games is lousy. Want to know how many players on the Avs had less shots per game than Cumiskey? Just one: Scott Parker. And a good chunk of those shots were him running out of room and just skating the puck up to the opposing goalie. That's not going to work.

Fast Fact: Cumiskey was the 222nd player (out of 230) taken in the 2005 draft. With 47 NHL games under his toddler-sized belt, he's played more games than all but 19 players taken that year.

2007-2008 Salary (and Cap Number): $512,000 ($552,000)

2008-2009 Status: Cumiskey is signed for one more year at the $552,000 cap figure. Next summer, he'll be a restricted free agent.

Outlook: As much as I like Cumiskey's surprising play in his own end, he needs to create some offense if he wants to stick around in Denver. And I hope he does, because I could easily see him becoming one of my favorite Avalanche players.