Avalanche Final Grade 2012: Brad Malone

2011 Cap Hit: $875,000

2012 Status: Last year on entry-level contract

What can one say about Brad Malone? Honestly, not a whole lot. He played 9 games with the Avalanche this season, recording two assists during that time. Despite expectations that he would be the guy to replace Cody McLeod, Malone didn't really show a whole lot of NHL-readiness, making a firm roster spot questionable, at least at this point.

He had a pretty decent year with the Monsters, especially considering he isn't expected to be an offensive weapon. In 67 games played, Malone scored 11 goals and had 25 assists for 36 points on the season. His role, at least in terms of playing with the Avalanche, is to provide a physical presence in much the same way as the previously mentioned McLeod (hopefully with a better scoring touch, of course). Malone did that for Lake Erie, playing a fairly smart game which limited him to only 89 PIMs on the year, averaging less than one minute per game as 25 of those minutes were due to fighting majors.

SteveHouse's Take: He gets an Awesome for making me jump out of my seat by scoring the OT winner at the Monsters-OKC Barons game I saw back in March.

Sandie's Take: Oh Brad, I'm sorry... you got your first point this season while I was in Denver and then I promptly left. I left you hanging, looking for a friendly face and not seeing one. I guess it's all my fault. In all seriousness, I had such high hopes, I have to hope that he can have a hard-hitting training camp in September.

2012 Outlook: Malone needs to up his game if he wants to make the team out of training camp next season. If McLeod is not re-signed, there will be more opportunity for the young forward to bust a move on that spot.