Mid-Season Report Cards: Forwards

Friday we graded our Goalies and Defense. Today we pick apart the forward corps. Enjoy. Or don't. Either way is fine actually. (note: stats and grades are based on the first 41 games - so not including last game against NYI)

Paul Stastny

#26 / Center / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Born: Dec 27, 1985

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	39	15	21	36	1	26		3	1	2	100	15

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	41	9	30	39	9	22		3	0	1	89	10.1

MIke:His point per game pace is a given, but he’s improved his defensive game and his FO’s this season. Would like to see him reach a true PPG pace instead of a 3 point night followed by a goose egg.

Sandiegee: He's doing fine, and getting the points. I just often find myself looking for him instead of him standing out. That might have something to do with the reason he keeps getting points though.

Beachie: Paul Stastny is a true No. 1 center. He puts up points (36), he wins face offs (52.7%), he nets those clutch goals (3 PP, 1 SH, 2 GW), and he shows a quiet strength which has leadership written all over it. This season, we've seen a more playful side of Stastny, something that has been infectious to both the players and the fans. On ice, he's used in all situations, showing his coaches have immense trust in his abilities. There have been games when he has disappeared, especially when the team most needed him to step up. Yet he is such a strong player that he has continued to produce despite losing both of his wingers to injury and thus suffering a constant rotation of linemates. Stastny may not be the flashiest player, but he continues to be the backbone of the Avs and a player who causes other teams to worry.

Contract Status: 3 more season at $6,600,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: A+ 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Milan Hejduk

#23 / Right Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Born: Feb 14, 1976

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	34	11	22	33	-5	12		5	0	1	83	13.3

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	34	15	11	26	2	10		6	0	3	90	16.7

Paul's Coffey: Despite a little post-injury slump, the Duke is SOLID. The only aspect of his game I see fading so far is his defense and consequently his +/-. But he still possesses superb hands and can score in all scenarios. He is vital to the team.

Sandiegee: I don't know if it's the Young Guns or that his knee is no longer bothering him, but he is playing significantly better than last year. Averages a point a game.

Dustin: the Duke has always been one of the best complimentary players in the league and now that is surrounded by talent again, he is showing he has plenty left in the tank.

Contract Status: UFA. Had signed one year deal at $3,000,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: A 2010-2011 mid season grade:

David Jones

#54 / Right Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Born: Aug 10, 1984

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	38	13	10	23	2	16		3	0	1	82	15.9

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	23	10	6	16	1	2		1	2	3	39	25.6

Dustin: Only missed three games! Has provided some great secondary scoring and has filled in well for injured top sixers. Wish he used his size more.

Beachie: Sometimes Jones is like the guy who played last season, tearing it up and making guys look stupid; sometimes he's just an average guy out there who doesn't do a whole lot. He should be a first line player, putting up a point per game. He has the talent and the speed to be a consistent offensive threat, but he just seems unable to bring it on a nightly basis. His history of injury seems to cause him to be a bit gun-shy about hitting people and bringing the physical game. Thus, he loses battles for the puck and is pushed out of the crease too easily. He still has speed and can out-skate guys on breakout chances; he just doesn't seem to be able to finish like he used to. There's a good chance he'll stay on the top line, which could bode well for him as Stewart will be expected to take that power forward role, allowing Jones to get back to being the sniper he is.

Mike: Has been shuffled around a bit this season and it’s apparent he’s a complimentary player, not a playmaker. When he hustles AND shoots in games, he’s productive. It’s when he doesn’t do both that he seems ineffective.

Contract Status: RFA. Last year at $837,500.

2009-2010 mid season grade: A+ 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Chris Stewart

#25 / Right Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-2

Weight: 228

Born: Oct 30, 1987

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	23	11	14	25	-2	36		5	0	3	66	16.7

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	36	11	14	25	5	36		1	0	3	77	14.3

Mike: ...the injury pissed me off. He was one of the most consistent Avs before he got hurt. Hope that continues when he gets back.

Paul's Coffey: Too much time has passed and I almost forgot that Stewart was the Avs best player before the unlucky unnecessary injury. He picked up right where he left off at the tail of last season, and then some. I think the Avs' current slide may have something to do with the healthy boys anticipating Stewie's return and slacking a bit.

DDC: 9 goals in his first 11 games, 2 goals in the 12 games that follows. A little more consistency there would be awesome, thanks.

Contract Status: One more year on 2 year deal at $2,875,000 per.

2009-2010 mid season grade: A- 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Matt Duchene

#9 / Center / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 5-11

Weight: 200

Born: Jan 16, 1991

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	41	16	24	40	3	16		10	1	2	178	8.9

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	41	11	14	25	-8	6		4	1	1	83	13.3

DDC: Averaging a point per game in year #2? Yeah, that works.

Dustin: Solid defensively and amazing offensively, Duchene has scored a number of big goals and is starting to show leadership on the ice.

Mike: No sophomore slump here. Showed improvement in all facets of the game so far this season. Needs to shoot more (or get the puck more) on the Power Play though.

Contract Status: One more year on 3 year deal at $3,200,000 per.

2009-2010 mid season grade: B+ 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Ryan O'Reilly

#37 / Center / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

Born: Feb 7, 1991

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	41	5	10	15	7	4		0	1	0	77	6.5

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	41	5	13	18	9	12		0	0	2	61	8.2

Sandiegee: Much like Winnik, what he brings to the ice isn't going to be seen on the scoresheet. He is rarely, if ever, a defensive liability and he plays his game every night. But I hope that he can start to bring a bit more to the scoresheet.

Beachie: In only 17 games this season has O'Reilly had a face-off percentage lower than 50%. In 5 games, it's been 70% or more. He leads the team in takeaways. He currently owns the longest streak of consecutive games played at 66. He is averaging a +7 for the season thus far, despite leading the team in short-handed time-on-ice by a wide margin. What does all this mean? It means O'Reilly is THE go-to guy in defensive situations, and his +/- stat shows he's very good at it. Some critics say his point production is too low, lessening his value. However, he's still on pace to beat last year's totals, and unlike last season, he's just starting to get warmed up rather than starting to cool off at the mid-point in the season. At only 19 years old, O'Reilly possesses skills that would stand up to and even surpass any third-line center in the league. His constant dedication to improvement says he's only going to get better. With his leadership skills and utter consistency, "Radar" is an anchor for this team.

Mike: Like a metronome, keeps on going. I think he’s unselfish to a fault at times, but have loved his FO work this season and his dependability.

Contract Status: One more year on three year entry level deal at $900,000 per.

2009-2010 mid season grade: B 2010-2011 mid season grade:

T.J. Galiardi

#39 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-2

Weight: 190

Born: April 22, 1988

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	24	7	5	12	0	12		0	0	1	50	14

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	31	4	11	15	2	10		2	0	0	39	10.3

DDC: I expected a huge year from the good TJ and it just hasn’t come together yet. I still think it will.

Sandiegee: He's been injured, that has hurt the team. He does need to work on his face offs. He is hovering at around 40%.

Dustin: still brings the energy every night. I never expected him to be more than a forty point player so I think his offensive output is good. I wish he would show a bit more of that peskiness that pissed off Shark fans last year.

Paul's Coffey: He's shooting more and with greater success compared to this time last year, but he also seems too inconsistent to be a top three guy. His play has always seemed more suited to a kick ass third line, but if he can overcome the injuries and find the beast within (from last spring's playoffs), then Galiardicus shall reign supreme and can play on whichever line he wants.

Contract Status: RFA. Last year on entry level $875,000 contract.

2009-2010 mid season grade: B+ 2010-2011 mid season grade:

David Koci

#28 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-6

Weight: 238

Born: May 12, 1981

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	8	0	0	0	-2	7		0	0	0	0	0

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	33	1	0	1	-1	64		0	0	0	4	25.0

Dustin: useless on the ice, not intimidating to other teams.

Paul's Coffey: w o r t h l e s s.

Sandiegee: I. Don't. Get. It. Seriously. He has the size, but I have a feeling that he was always told to "Be careful" as a kid and teenager because he was so much bigger than the other kids. This is the only reason I can think of for him not wanting to be intimidating. I'm not saying he needs to have a goatee and full sleeve tattoos a la Scott Parker to be intimidating, but it seems like other teams know that he won't throw his body around. He has 8 games and 7 penalty minutes. He average less than 3 minutes a game. I just don't get it.

DDC: I don’t understand why you dress a player who isn’t intimidating and plays just a few shifts a game. I don’t blame Koci, I blame the coach. Either let him play, or dress someone else.

Mike: 8 games, I fight, -2, no shots. Maxed out at 3 min per game.

Contract Status: UFA. One season deal at $575,000.

2009-2010 mid season Grade: F- 2010-2011 mid season grade:(also received D & D-)

Cody McLeod

#55 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Born: Jun 26, 1984

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	33	4	2	6	-3	99		1	0	0	33	12.9

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	35	5	6	11	-1	68		0	0	1	59	8.5

Mike: Has he lost a step or is it that he’s just not forechecking anymore? I don’t need goals from the Highlander, but the effort levels seem uneven at times and he completely disappears for games at a time. That didn’t used to happen.

Dustin: leads the team in penalty minutes but they don't often seem to matter. Seems like it's Stewart who steps up to defend the team. He needs to find a way to be an effective pest again because the team could use it.

Beachie: McLeod just isn't the same player he used to be. After being one of the bright spots on a dismal 2008-09 season, his play has withered. With only 6 points in 33 games, McLeod isn't getting it done. He still has a team-leading 99 penalty minutes, and with one more penalty, he will reach a milestone in consecutive years logging over 100 PIMs. However, the value of those minutes is sometimes in question. Despite all of that, his presence has been missed during the games he's been out due to injury. He brings grit and toughness to a team that is short in those areas; it would be great to see his offensive production increase to help create a 4^th line that can punish both on the ice and on the scoreboard.

Contract Status: One more season at $1,033,333.

2009-2010 mid season grade: B- 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Brandon Yip

#18 / Right Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

Born: Apr 25, 1985

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	36	7	7	14	-6	29		2	0	1	64	10.9

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

5 games, 2 points.

Sandiegee: Yeah, this isn't going to make me popular. But he is tied for the lowest plus/ minus rating with a minus 6. He's played 35 games, and has 14 points. He has fallen out of favor with Sacco who lets him take nights off to eat nachos. I don't know what's going on, but it's not good. he has the skill, he just needs to bring his game.

DDC: Yip has been disappointing in just about every facet of his game – much more P.U. than B.U. (Sorry, that couldn’t be helped).

Mike: Looking like Bust-ville lately. I think he changed his game to fit a bottom six role and now that he’s getting opportunities high on the depth chart, he doesn’t know what to do.

Dustin: not sure what's up with Yip. Sometimes he looks amazing and sometimes I'm not even aware his playing. He better start playing with a little more consistency or he'll be squeezed out when Stewart returns.

Contract Status: One more season at $725,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: INC 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Philippe Dupuis

#11 / Center / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6

Weight: 196

Born: Apr 24, 1985 (1 day younger than Yip)

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	39	3	7	10	5	19		0	1	0	53	5.6

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

4 games, 1 point.

Sandiegee: My fellow Frenchie. He earns a spot in my heart for it. He is fifth on the team for face off %. A spot in my heart doesn't increase the grade. He has 10 points in 38 games, but only averages about 8 minutes of ice time.

Paul's Coffey: Perfect 4th line center who can also kill penalties. Finishes checks. Me like.

Beachie: Dupuis has been invaluable to the team as the fourth line center. He adapts well to new linemates and has been successful no matter who's on his wings. He consistently works hard, puts up numbers and plays well defensively. He has a tendency to take bad penalties, however, and his minutes in the box are a negative mark on an otherwise excellent showing this season. Given his all-around effectiveness and a solid +6 rating, it will be surprising if he doesn't have a roster spot for the remainder of the season.

Contract Status: RFA. Last year at $500,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: INC 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Tomas Fleischmann

#14 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-1

Weight: 192

Born: May 16, 1984

2010-2011 mid-season stats: (23 games w/ CAPS, 17 w/ AVS)

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	40	11	15	26	-1	28		7	0	2	121	19

2009-2010 FULL SEASON stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
Season	69	23	28	51	9	18		3	0	1	88	12.5

Paul's Coffey: Mid-Season Numbers breakdown: 23 games w/ Caps: 4G - 6A - 10PTS. 17 Games w/ AVS: 7G - 9A - 16PTS. I love this trade for the Avs. Sherman recognized he was down two top forwards (Mueller, Stewart) and addressed the issue. Flash fits well with this team and he is hungry to prove to himself (and the Caps), that he is a top six guy that can be a star. He is just shy of a point per game since donning the unipron - long may it he wear it!

Sandiegee: Fleischmann has had moments of brilliance and moments that aren't so brilliant. Love his offense, but his defensive skills need to improve to earn an A. He is also a game a point guy. 16 games played in an Avs jersey and 16 points (edit: he had a goosee egg in game 17).

Mike: Pretty much what Caps fans said regarding his streakiness. Still, it’s a new system for him (like Hunwick) and if he’s still "on for one game off for three) come March, I’ll be disappointed.

DDC: At times, the most exciting player on the ice. Already a -3 in 16 games, which is a little worrisome.

Dustin: fits in really well with the team and cranks it up during important late game situations. His talent was never in question, just his effort. I really hope he keeps it up though because so far he has been great.

Contract Status: UFA. Last year at $2,600,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: N/A 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Daniel Winnik

#34 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Born: May 6, 1985

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	40	7	9	16	6	22		0	1	1	85	8.2

2009-2010 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
SEASON	74	4	15	19	1	12		0	0	1	83	4.8

Beachie: Feeling a bit stupid now, Phoenix? Yeah, you should. Winnik has been the ultimate third line player, and with O'Reilly, he gives the Avs a shut-down line with the power to score and score often. I would argue that, aside from Duchene, he's been the most valuable forward on the Avalanche this season as his two-way play has been consistent, and he can always be relied upon to make plays that give the Avs a chance to win every night. His penalty killing has been a pleasure to watch as he dangles around center ice with the puck, wasting time the other team could use to pressure in the offensive zone. He has the ability to change the momentum in games and transition the team into attack mode. Teams with third-line wingers who can do that win Cups.

Mike: Possibly the steal of the offseason. Tenacity is unparalleled and I think he really enjoys this team and it shows on the ice.

Dustin: perfect third liner. Physical, great defensively and can chip in a few goals for good measure.

Sandiegee: This is the hardest one for me to mark. I'm trying to be unbiased, but everyone knows that I like him. He may not have the best stats, but he is fantastic on the special teams, great in corners, and his defensive plays are terrific. To get a higher grade he needs to improve his face off %. It's far too low for my liking.

Contract Status: One more season at $950,000.

2009-2010 mid season grade: N/A 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Kevin Porter

#12 / Center/Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6

Weight: 210

Born: Mar 12, 1986

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	35	7	4	11	7	14		1	0	3	43	16..2

2009-2010 Full Season stats: (4 games w/ PHX, 16 games w/ AVS)

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
Season	20	2	1	3	-3	0		0	1	0	21	9.5

Dustin: nearly half of his seven goals have been gamewinners plus he is excellent defensively. He's gonna make it very hard for Sacco to send him down once the team is healthy.

Mike: Good in his role, but seems to have been shoehorned into roles that don’t fit. I’m worried he’s Svats 2.0 that he’s wasted in a bottom 6 role. Probably a career AHL top-liner.

Sandiegee: I once had a professor tell my class that "C" was good, it meant you were average. I disagreed with him and said I'd be upset with anything less than an A. But, Porter has been just that. Average. He is tied for the most game winning goals on the Avalanche. He had five goals in the first seven games in an Avalanche uniform... the next 27 games he has had 2.

Contract Status: RFA. $660,000 this season.

2009-2010 mid season grade: N/A 2010-2011 mid season grade:

Greg Mauldin

#20 / Left Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

Born: Jun 10, 1982

2010-2011 mid-season stats:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	26	5	5	10	7	6		0	2	1	41	12.2

2009-2010 AHL Stats: 77GP - 25G - 29A - 54PTS and +9. He also played 1 game with the Islanders totaling 2 shots and -1.

DDC: How can you not love this guy? The best story of the year so far.

Mike: Has delivered on everything asked of him to date. Needs more ice time.

Sandiegee: I love this guy. His smile is infectious too. He seems to be thrilled to play with the "Big Boys" and is having fun. Which makes it fun for me to watch. Plus, he's good looking... that has to count for something. Plus this guy has the most short-handed goals on the team with two. Sleeping in the locker rooms on a cot has paid off for this man.

Dustin: Mauldin is great. Hardworking, talented and obviously enthusiastic. Love him.

Contract Status: UFA. $500,000 this season.

2009-2010 mid season grade: N/A 2010-2011 mid season grade:

OTHER INCOMPLETES:

David Van Der Gulik:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	5	1	1	2	3	2		0	0	0	9	11.1

Contract Status: UFA. $500,000.

Beachie: After Van Der Gulik recovered from his injury, I think a lot of people expected him to come back to the line up. He was playing extremely well: 5 games, 1 goal, 1 assist and a +3. He was the definitive 4^th line player: he shut down other teams' lines, he pitched in on offense, he hit opponents intelligently, and he took few penalties. Why he was sent back to Lake Erie and never called back up is difficult to understand. He had fantastic chemistry with Dupuis and Porter, and the three of them gave the Avalanche yet another line that could cause the other team to be concerned. Although Mauldin has been impressive, Van Der Gulik's all-around game could be proving more valuable at this time.

Mike: Good injury fill-in/depth role player. Would like to see more. A poor man’s Dupius?

Dustin: he was good while he was up but probably lost his roster spot thanks to Mauldin and Porter.

Mark Olver:

	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM		PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
1st Half	4	0	2	2	1	2		0	0	0	2	0.0

Contract Status: One more year at $850,000.

DDC: Made almost no impression on me at all.

Paul's Coffey: Would like to see more. He really impressed in camp, but didn't hang around to long once the season started.

Sandiegee: ...4 games at 3 minutes in each of those games, I can't say too much. (edit note: 2 points in 12 minutes of ice. Not bad).

Mike: Who?