The Graveyard That Is The Colorado Avalanche Defense

Over the past 6 years or so, the Avalanche have been fortunate enough to have decent scoring on the back end. We’re talking defense people, c’mon. Up until a few years ago, the Avs could have been considered an offensively defensive team, always scoring a respectable amount of point with their rearguards. We are running out of alternate names for defensemen so let’s cut to the chase shall we? As of right now, as you are reading this, the Avalanche defense is full of defensive minded (and sometimes absent minded) defenders who are not known for putting up points. As a result, the powerplay usually features a forward or two on the point, and there is no large, player scattering bomb from the point that many successful powerplay teams possess. The following statistics take a look at what happened to the Avalanche defense over the years and outlines the graveyard of great offensive defenseman in which the Colorado management. Thanks a lot guys. We’ll start off lightly:

Jordan Leopold: points as an Av: 13-25-38. Departue: Traded to Calgary for Nycholat, Wilson, and the draft pick the Avs used to select Stefan Elliott.

Ruslan Salei: Points as an Av: 8-26-34. In only 101 games. Departure: Became a UFA, signed with the Red Wings *spit*.

Brett Clark: Points as an Av 30-100-130. Departure: Became UFA, signed with the Lightning.

Johnny Boychuck: Points as an Av: 0 in 4 games, while playing RW for 3. Departure: Traded to Boston for Matt Hendricks.

These 4 players were not extremely offensive, but they were always counted upon to put up a fair number of points. All 3 defenseman were more than capable on the powerplay as well. Apart from offense, when they weren’t producing they were mostly solid defensively. Leopold had some slip ups but he was generally solid.

Now, this might hurt:

John-Michael Liles: Points as an Av: 68-207-275. Departure: Traded to Toronto for the pick used to select Mike Winther. MIKE WINTHER! Who???????

Kyle Quincey: Points as an Av: 11-42-53. Departure: Traded to Tampa for Steve Downie. Yes we know what you are thinking. “Quincey sucked at defense, made costly mistakes, and we got Downie. AWESOME trade Greg Sherman.” But you have to admit, when he was healthy, he was great on the backend, and a better defenseman than at least 4 of the guys the Avs have now. But feel free to disagree.

And last but probably not least…(drumrolllll)

Kevin Shattenkirk: Points as an Av: 7-19-26. In 46 games. Departure: if for some reason you don’t know, he was traded with Stewart for McClement, Johnson, and the pick used to select Duncan Seimens. Worst trade since the Drury/Morris trade.

Any of these players would be a godsend on the Avalanche blueline right now. So how have they done in the NHL since leaving Colorado?

Johnny Boychuck: 13-33-46. He is also Zdeno Chara’s defensive partner, an extraordinary/physical shutdown D, and cornerstone to a 2011 Bruins Stanley Cup Championship team.

Jordan Leopold: 36-56-91

Ruslan Salei: 2-8-10, before signing in Russia

Brett Clark: 11-35-46

Kyle Quincey: 2-1-3 (he has only played 27 games, but has played well for DET)

John-Michael Liles: 7-20-27 (Liles has only played 76 games for Toronto)

Kevin Shattenkirk:  12-57-96.

That makes for an impressive 83 goals, 210 assists, and 293 points in 690 games away from the Mile High City. An average of 1 goal per 8 games, an assist every 3 games, and points every 2 games. Boy, the Avs could really use that kind of production.

The 8 defensemen Colorado has now, since joining the Avs, have put up 19-147-166. Actually, those numbers do not seem half bad. But oh wait: Combined, the 8 defenseman have played 719 games for this team. That leaves a total of 1 goal per every 38 games from the Colorado defense. An assist every 5 games and a point every 4 games. The morale of the story: the defense cannot and do not score. They are not offensive at all. And looking at the players they have let go in the past, the Avs are much worse off. Dumb trades, and an evident disability in keeping players around, or wanting players to stay, have cause the Avalanche to stockpile a barrage of defensive shutdown dmen who on occasion don’t shut down or defend. This defensive corp is at fault for many goals, unproductive, bad in their own zone, bad with the puck, and confused on penalty kills. Now, if you were Greg Sherman and the Avs brass, wouldn’t you like to see any of the former guys listed above wearing the burgundy and blue again?