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Colorado Avalanche: Caron, Hishon or Hamilton to Play

By Nadia Archuleta |

Despite being injury-plagued — 414 man games lost and counting! — the Colorado Avalanche actually have a glut of forwards for the third/fourth line. Well, by glut I mean one extra. (For the Avs this season, that is a glut.) Three young players are currently battling for two spots — Jordan Caron, Joey Hishon and Freddie Hamilton.

Which two most deserve to play? And by that, I mean which two best fit with and produce for the Avalanche?

Jordan Caron, Right Wing

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Caron is a big right wing — 6-foot-3, 204 pounds — the Avalanche acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline. Caron started on a top line with Matt Duchene and Jarome Iginla, but he’s been relegated to a lower line with center Daniel Briere and either Freddie Hamilton or Joey Hishon.

Caron is known as a defensive forward with scoring upside and grit. He has a tendency toward inconsistency, though, which is what got him in trouble in Boston. Indeed, he started out well enough with the Avalanche, complementing Duchene and Iginla. However, after a few games of getting little production and few shots from Caron, head coach Patrick Roy replaced him on the top line with gritty center John Mitchell.

In nine games with the Avalanche, Caron has no points, is about even in plus-minus rating and has recorded only five shots.

Caron’s Deserved Place in Line Up: Borderline Nacho Patrol

Caron’s Actual Place in Line Up: Present, not scratched

Joey Hishon, Center

Hishon is an injury-prone youngster. Part of the problem is his size — he’s only 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, and none of that is particularly gritty. He’s also just unlucky. He suffered a head injury while still with the Lake Erie Monsters that forced him to miss a long chunk of time and delayed his development. Since being called up this season, he’s been sidelined with first a neck then an elbow injury.

Hison is the prospect a lot of Avalanche fans are watching. The Avs selected him 17th overall in 2010, and he’s meant to be a scoring whiz — or magician, as is his nickname. However, Hishon is just not panning out as planned.

However, in three games with the Avalanche he has recorded five shots — as many as Caron in a third of the games.

Hishon’s Deserved Place in Line Up: Fourth line

Hishon’s Actual Place in Line Up: In and out of IR, but currently present

Freddie Hamilton, Center

Of the three prospects, Freddie Hamilton is the only one who has recorded any points. He earned a goal against the Arizona Coyotes. It also happened to be the game-winning goal. However, after being selected in the fifth round by the San Jose Sharks in 2010, Hamilton has mostly bounced between the NHL: and the AHL, including a two-game stint with the Monsters.

Hamilton, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, is scouted as possessing two-way acumen and plenty of hockey smarts. He doesn’t have elite scoring ability, though. In fact, his lone NHL goal came on a tip-in. He’s also not a particularly physical player.

Hamilton only has three shots on goal in his seven games with the Avalanche, but one of them resulted in that game-winning goal. He actually displayed good chemistry with the veteran Briere when they were on a line together.

Hamilton’s Deserved Place in Line Up: Fourth line

Hamilton’s Actual Place in Line Up: Scratched for last game vs Calgary Flames

It looks like Hamilton deserves a spot over Caron, as does Hishon when he’s healthy. Of the three, though, only Caron hasn’t spent time down in Lake Erie or on the sidelines. Coach Roy might be prizing his size, or he might be evaluating the winger for future considerations — Caron is finishing up a one-year, one-way contract implemented by the Bruins. However, Hamilton and Hishon are also restricted free agents after this season, so they are probably auditioning for jobs, too.

Next: Grade for Freddie Hamilton

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