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Final Grades 2014: Jan Hejda, #8

Despite clearly being on the downside of his career, Hejda was a calming influence on EJ and allowed him to take risks offensively.

By Cheryl Bradley
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jan Hejda has brought a lot to the Colorado Avalanche. While he's better suited for a second-pairing role, he was consistent and solid enough to be that #2 guy on a team desperately needing more talented defenseman. Without him, it's easy to imagine a much different finish to the season than Division Champs. While putting in a valiant effort in the playoffs given his injuries, his lack of effectiveness made it clear that he was an important cog on the blueline.

Regular Season

Stats
GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%
78 6 11 17 8 40 0 0 0 75 8
Advanced Stats 5 v. 5
CF% CF% Rel GF% GF% Rel Sh% Sv% PDO
44.60% -3.20% 51.80% -1.70% 8.70% 93.10% 101.7
Grade

B-

Staff Comments

SteveHouse: Jan is honestly tough to grade because he played through a lot of injury this season. He was good enough I spose.

c6hor8: I was unhappy with him this year. He looked slow/injured for most of the season. I think he has a harder time in Roy's man-to-man system.

Sandie: Probably my favorite defenseman. Solid.

Mike: Unfortunately, despite his injuries, I think we're in the declining years for Jan. Hi season seemed to trend downhill. He was the rock on the blueline all year though and led the team in blocks.

Playoffs

Stats
GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%
7 0 0 0 -6 6 0 0 0 6 0
Advanced Stats 5 v. 5
CF% CF% Rel GF% GF% Rel Sh% Sv% PDO
37.30% -6.10% 28.60% -25.30% 10.80% 84.80% 95.7
Grade

C-

Staff Comments

SteveHouse: D for disabled! [SOBBING INTENSIFIES]

c6hor8: Broken hand. Poor guy.

Brett: Started strong, faded fast

Mike: Got victimized due to his hand injury and prolonged possessions as a result.  -6 in 7 games but 18 blocks to go with 15 hits.

Andi: He's a trooper for playing with two broken hands, but was still not good this post-season.  He did what he could, but he shouldn't have been expected to play as much as he did.  Holden lightened his load a bit, but when a broken Hejda is the best defensive option you have for the top pairing, that's a serious organizational problem. 

Preseason Thoughts

Again, not a lot said about Hejda. We knew what we had in him, and we knew he'd be an anchor to whomever he was paired.

Earl: A fresh start on the coaching front with Tourigny and Foote. Barrie was on pace for 30+ points, Hejda close to 20 and they'll be playing together.

SteveHouse: Unless Johnson takes that huge step we've been waiting for since The Trade (or Elliott becomes an NHL defenseman), our top pairing consists of a #2 and a #2/3 who's aging (Hejda)