Final Grade: Ian Laperriere

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	ESG	PPG	SHG	GTG	GWG	SOG
1st Half	39	4	9	13	5	84	4	0	0	0	0	39
2nd Half	35	3	3	6	-5	79	3	0	0	0	0	22
Total	74	7	12	19	0	163	7	0	0	0	0	61

Final Grade
2008 Grade	2007 Grade

Midseason Grade: B-

Final Grade: B

Joined Team: Signed as a free agent on July 2, 2004

MHH Nicknames: Lappy

Lines:

• 4th (32)
• 3rd (28)
• 2nd (13)
• 1st (1)

Positions:

• RW: 37
• C: 21
• LW: 16

Linemates:

LW:

• McLeod (22)
• Tucker (12)
• Stewart (10)
• Willsie (5)
• Wolski (2)
• Smyth (2)
• Hendricks (1)

C:

• Guite (32)
• McCormick (11)
• Hensick (7)
• Arnason (3)

RW:

• McCormick (11)
• Jones (9)
• Willsie (6)
• Stewart (5)
• Hendricks (1)
• Tucker (1)

Ice Time:*

• TOT 13:50 (4th)
• EV 10:43 (6th)
• PK 2:51 (1st)
• PP :14 (14th)
  

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

Best Month: December (14GP, 1g, 4a, 5pt)

Career Highlights: Interestingly, Lappy's 163 penalty minutes was the 2nd highest total of his career.

He became the Avs' all-time leader in fights (52) on April first when he fought David Hale and moved into 4th on the franchise's all-time penalty minute list (he's currently 199 behind leader Adam Foote).

Finally, Ian played in his 1000th NHL game this year.

Report: Well, I think you all know how this one's going to go. It's kind of late for me as I type this, so I'll try to keep it to some simple points.

With Joe Sakic spending most of the last two seasons on the shelf, Ian Laperriere has become THE face of the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs have Smyth, Stastny, Hejduk and Foote, but it's Lappy who has become the heart and sould of the team. And he does it by being the antithesis of the traditional Avalanche style of play.

What Lappy does on the ice isn't pretty - much like that fucked up schnozz that he so proudly sports. He, more than anyone to have worn the Burgondy and Blue, gives it his absolute all every time he's on the ice. He hits, he blocks shots (even if it's Ilya Kovulchuk rifling them), he chirps at the opponents, he fights to rally his team, he smiles, he hugs, he kisses and he tells us when the team is playing like shit. Oh, and he has a monstrous heart and gives so much back to the Denver community.

Offensively, you aren't getting much. Lappy has scored between 17 and 29 points in every season save two - 13 points in 98-99 and the 45 point steroid year of 2005-2006. Because of injuries, he's been thrown onto the 2nd and 3rd lines too often over the last couple of years, but he really should be on the 4th line. He is a perfect 4th line player - one who can hit, play defense, pitch in a little offense, kill penalties and, when needed, drop the gloves. And he's tremendously entertaining. What more do you want?

Fun Fact: You already know that Joe Sakic has played with both Peter and Paul Stastny. Did you also know that Lappy and Peter Stastny were once teammates on the Blues?

The Ian Laperriere Drinking Game: Drink when Lappy sacrifices his body for the team Drunk potential: Very High

What I Said Last Year: "Gradual decline or no, Lappy is still an extremely valuable guy to have around. Laperriere is only signed through the end of the upcoming season, so we may hear some trade rumors involving him as we get close to the deadline."

2008 Salary (and Cap Number): $1.15M ($1.15M)

2009-2010 Status: UFA

Outlook for 2009: The decision to re-sign or not re-sign Lappy is going to be a critical one for Pierre Lacroix's incoming puppet GM. Lappy is rightfully revered in Denver. I believe Francois Giguere intended to trade Laperriere at the deadline but had to change his mind when there was a large outcry from the fans.

Let's be honest: as big as Lappy's heart is, it isn't going to be possible to sign him to any deal that doesn't overpay him. He's been underpaid the last couple of years and he'll turn 36 next January; this is going to be his last big deal, likely the last contract he signs where he'll pull down more than 7 figures per year. Does he deserve it? Hell yes. Should the Avalanche pay him? I'm not so sure. The Avs don't have a lot of cap room, and really need to bolster their talent level. If they can keep Lappy while bringing in some reinforcements, I'm all for it. I just don't see how it can be done. *Sadface*

Next Up: Darcy Tucker