Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Mid-Season Grades: Defense


With only a game to go until the half-way mark for the season, it's time for mid-season grades. Today will focus on the defense of the team. The offense will be reviewed next.


Team Defense - Grade: C
GPWLOTPTSGFGAHomeAwayS/OL10
40211454713612811-7-210-7-33-05-4-1

There’s no way around it; this team gives up way too many goals. From a rebuilding standpoint, things are looking pretty good. The offensive force of the defense is in place, supporting the philosophy the organization has repeatedly said they will honor: fast, aggressive offensively, and young. The problem is that they are small and lack defensive strength in their own end, especially along the boards and in front of the net. They are too easily pushed off the puck or forced out of position. What they do have going for them is the luxury of taking risks in the offensive zone, pinching in to create scoring chances and work with the forwards to cycle the puck down low. Their speed gives them the chance to get back into position quickly, as well as negate odd-man rushes the other direction. With the addition of Ryan O’Byrne, the d-corps got stronger and meaner. Aquiring another shut down defenseman - preferably one with a bomb from the point - and a suitable replacement for Adam Foote next year, this defense could be Cup-worthy. The challenge for the brass, however, is what to do with the extras on the roster. With Kevin Shattenkirk already in place and Tyson Barrie in the pipeline, guys like Kyle Cumiskey, Jonas Hølos and Matt Hunwick may be obsolete.



Defensemen:

John-Michael Liles - Grade: A
GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
3952530925200945.3

Liles has easily been the best defenseman on the Avs this season. Not only is he putting up points, his defensive game has improved significantly as shown by his +9 rating, a stat he shares with linemate Ryan O’Byrne for the top spot on the team. He’s racked up 5 goals and 25 assists already, only 19 points behind his career high, yet he’s done it in less than half the time. He’s also upped his physicality, finishing checks, muscling guys off the puck in the corners, and coming to the defense of teammates. He makes the team competitive every night and is clearly a leader for the young D-corps.

Ryan Wilson - Grade: B

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
31278722100296.9

After a slow start, Wilson has upped his game. He’s not quite the hard-hitting Mack Truck of last year; nonetheless, he’s still getting in some big hits, and his offensive output has returned. He’s just under half the total points he had in 2009-2010, putting him on a similar pace. Last year, he set a record with the Avalanche organization for most points by a rookie defenseman, and there’s every reason to believe he’ll continue on this track and at least meet those point totals. However, his defensive lapses at key moments are disturbing. He’s been that “All right, Wilson!” followed immediately by “Damn it, Wilson” guy. I think his upside outweighs the down right now, though.

Matt Hunwick - Grade: D

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
16022-74000220.0

To say Hunwick has been less than impressive would be an understatement. He’s been downright terrible. In the 16 games he’s had with the Avalanche, he has only two points, both coming from assists, and is a -7. He has been improving as of late. Still, for an allegedly fast, puck-moving defenseman, he sure hasn’t been speedy, and he’s not moving the puck all too well. His defensive liability is also glaring as he turns over the puck more times than he puts it anywhere near the net. Send back Colby Cohen, please.

Ryan O'Byrne - Grade: A-
GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
25044927000130.0

Upon his trade, O’Byrne quickly established himself as a solid, physical shut down defenseman and was the perfect compliment to Liles. The pair has managed to lead the team in +/- at 9, and O’Byrne has contributed on 4 goals. His real damage is done, however, defensively. He’s responsible in his own end and commits to his hits, forcing turnovers consistently. He also has kept guard on the blueline successfully, allowing his partner to pinch in and create offense. He does have a tendency to take stupid penalties at less than opportune moments, but his dominating presence on the ice gives other teams reason to pause, which is something the Avs have terribly lacked in recent years. O’Byrne is a welcome addition, for sure, and a shrewd trade by Greg Sherman.

Kyle Cumiskey - Grade: N/A

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
1114508000147.1

Cumiskey has played far too few games to give an accurate and fair assessment. He’s had a couple of good games, but his greatest value might be as bait for other teams. He’s still a fast skater who can move the puck out of his own zone with speed and often causes the other team to freeze in awe - or disbelief as the case may be. But once he gets into the offensive zone, he seems lost and often turns over the puck. Other teams, especially in the east, could view his talents as key to their defense while overlooking his liabilities. On the right team - one with a solid, defensively-minded blueline - he could be a threat again.

Adam Foote - Grade: B

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
28055-219000130.0

It’s obvious Old Man Foote is on the cusp of retirement. He’s always been speed-challenged, but his inability to get back into position on breakaways or stick with quick forwards who maneuver well has let the Avalanche vulnerable at times. But you cannot deny he still strikes fear into other teams; when they see Foote staring them down, you have to believe a bit of, “Oh holy hell” is running through their minds. He also has been jumping into the play quite a bit this year, creating space for the forwards to get into lanes and make some offense happen. His leadership is undeniable, and he’s a calming influence for the young team. Foote’s an invaluable member of the Avalanche this season, and there’s a good chance they would have succumbed to the challenges of their injuries had he not been around.

Kyle Quincey - Grade: D+

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
21011-518000390.0

BMF* left the building last season and has yet to return. Despite flashes, Quincey just hasn’t gotten it going. He’s been plagued by injuries and certainly his season-ending shoulder surgery has only made things worse for him. When he was playing, he seemed to lack confidence, hesitating to bring on the physical heat he did last season, nor the offensive support we know he can. His work on the power play was abysmal as he rarely let fly the big shot he has, and when he did, he had trouble getting it on target. However, the defenseman did have some good games which prove he can get back to BMF mode. Hopefully, he will get a chance to do that next season.
*BMF=Bad Mother F*cker

David Liffiton - Grade: N/A

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
4101317000250.0

At only 4 games played, it’s hard to say how Liffiton affected the team’s success. He had an assist and was a plus-3, which leads one to believe he was a positive influence. But with a large pool of defensemen from which to choose, the team just doesn’t have room for him.

Kevin Shattenkirk - Grade: A

GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
2951419-1161013912.8

Sometimes injuries to teams are a good thing. You never want to see a player hurt, but if the Avs had not lost both Quincey and Cumiskey to concussions, we never would have seen just how good Shattenkirk is. A strong candidate for the Calder, the defenseman has already proven himself to be a fixture on this team, and along with Liles, he creates a blue line that can put up points and give opposing teams fits as they try to contain him. He has an instinctive ability to pinch in at just the right time, as well as interrupt dangerous passes across the crease in the defensive zone. He’s strong in the corners and a threat during the power play. It’s easy to forget he’s a rookie.

Jonas Hølos - Grade: B
GPGAP+/-PIMPPSHGWSS%
1503342000200.0


Hølos is probably the most confusing storylines this season. His numbers are good. He plays intelligently. He's responsible defensively and also jumps into the play. And he puts his all into every game. Yet, he's been demoted to Lake Erie and, when called back up, sat in the press box more games than he's skated on the ice. What gives, Sacco? For some inexplicable reason - at least to the fans on the outside - Hølos has found himself in Sacco's doghouse, and while guys like Hunwick get ice time, he watches from the sidelines. Perhaps the fact that the defenseman is not putting up strong offensive numbers is affecting his status with his coach. However, Hunwick hasn't been either, and Quincey wasn't when he was in the lineup. It's an enigma, and I hope it turns around soon as the team might lose Hølos to the European teams that are offering big money for him to return. It would certainly be the Avs' loss if that happens.


Goalies:


Craig Anderson - Grade: C+

GPIGSMinGAAWLOTSOSAGASv%GGAPIM
222212473.131182065665.901014

I debated about this one as his GA is due to less than stellar play by the defense as well as his performance. In the end though, Andy just hasn’t been the go-to guy he was last year. He has proven he can play better than he has been. Yet, his .901 save percentage isn’t something about which to weep, and some games must have been affected by the injuries. He needs to step it up from here on out, though, if he expects to get that contract he wants and keep his #1 ‘tender status. As it is, he’s an above average goaltender, but only slightly.

Peter Budaj - Grade: C+

GPIGSMinGAAWLOTSOSAGASv%GGAPIM
201811673.031063158559.899012

Despite lower goals against and save percentage numbers than Anderson, Budaj has been a solid back up and helped his team stay competitive in the standings while the injuries piled up. I still think he can do better and his rebound control needs to improve before he could be attractive to another team as a number one goaltender. He’s getting the starts he deserves, and the guys in front of him trust him enough to play their aggressive style, an improvement from last year. He remains an averagely skilled goalie, though, at this point. He gets the plus for stepping up in some big moments this season.

2 comments:

  1. Great recap Beachie. Please keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That said, I think Liffiton should be graded and graded rather high. I thought he was great at both ends of the ice, he was hitting, fighting, and scoring (ah the life of a male). At this point, I'd rather have Liffiton in the lineup then Wilson (and I love Wilson) or even Foote.

    ReplyDelete