Colorado Avalanche Projected Stats: Centers

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Oct 11, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) controls the puck against Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) in the second period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned in our right wing predictions, the Colorado Avalanche currently only has one player who naturally plays that position. Things look much different on center, which will guarantee some nice battles for the few — four to be exact — roster spots.

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There are worse things in life than having an overload of centers. In fact, just about every team that has ever won the Stanley Cup, had more than just one elite center. The Pittsburgh Penguins had Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the LA Kings had Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, and the Chicago Blackhawks had Jonathan Toews, with either Patrick Kane or Patrick Sharp filling in as second-line center.

The last time the Colorado Avalanche won the Cup, in 2001, they had Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. While today’s Avalanche has recently lost two great centers in Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly, they are still left with Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. Unfortunately, the latter currently has to fill in on the right wing, but even then, the Avalanche is left with a fair amount of talent down the middle.

Let’s take a look at how the Colorado Avalanche’s centers will do, assuming that they all appear in 82 games.

Next: Marc-Andre Cliche

Dec 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Marc-Andre Cliche (24) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Avalanche 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Marc-Andre Cliche

2014-15:

GP: 75
G: 2
A: 5
P: 7
PIM: 17
+/-: -2

As if the fact that I am listing Marc-Andre Cliche over Joey Hishon wasn’t bad enough, I also make you read over his stats again. It ain’t pretty, but it happened.

Cliche spent almost the entirety of the 2014-15 campaign centering either one of the bottom-six lines. No matter who was on his wings, the points just wouldn’t come. Cliche isn’t a scorer — and we know that. Why would he be on the roster again next season? Because someone has to watch the games from the press box, and it won’t be Hishon.

2015-16:

GP: 82
G: 1
A: 5
P: 6
PIM: 20
+/-: -6

In both of his two NHL seasons, Cliche had 7 points and 17 penalty minutes. It can’t continue like that, so let’s just take one goal away from him. Perhaps he’ll score an accidental assist if he ends up on a line with a skilled player (let’s hope he doesn’t).

Cliche shouldn’t be expected to play a ton of games. But, he shouldn’t have done that in the last two seasons either. Patrick Roy makes odd roster decisions sometimes.

Next: John Mitchell

Oct 12, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Colorado Avalanche center John Mitchell (7) shoots the puck during warm ups prior to the Avalanche game against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

John Mitchell

2014-15:

GP: 68
G: 11
A: 15
P: 26
PIM: 32
+/-: -9

As opposed to Cliche, John Mitchell can actually contribute offensively. With MacKinnon and Jamie McGinn injured, Mitchell spent a good amount of time on Duchene’s left wing last season, proving that he has the offensive skill to succeed in a middle-six role.

His 11 goals and 26 points aren’t outstanding, but they are solid for a Mitchell-type player. Lead the bottom six, and fill in on the top lines, if injuries open spots.

2015-16:

GP: 82
G: 13
A: 17
P: 30
PIM: 30
+/-: -2

The Colorado Avalanche brought in Grigorenko and Soderberg, who have a chance of centering the second and third line, respectively. That puts Mitchell in an awkward position, despite his recent success.

If everything works out the way Roy wants it, we will find Mitchell on the fourth line on opening night, filling his usual role. If injuries open up spots, he will move up the lineup. The only other chance to move up would be if he moves to the wing once again. Either way, he has a chance to hit 30 points again.

Next: Mikhail Grigorenko

Jan 8, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Buffalo Sabres forward Mikhail Grigorenko (25) skates with puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Sabres 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Mikhail Grigorenko

2014-15:

GP: 25
G: 3
A: 3
P: 6
PIM: 2
+/-: -10

Mikhail Grigorenko has had a troublesome start into his NHL career. First, he was rushed into the league in his draft year, but got sent back to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts after 25 games. He then came back to the Sabres organization to play in two AHL playoff games. The next season, Grigorenko earned a roster spot once again, but again, he was sent back to the QMJHL after close to 20 games.

He split the 2014-15 campaign between the Rochester Americans and Buffalo Sabres, recording 27 points in 43 AHL contests, and six points in 25 games for the Sabres. He didn’t get to where the Sabres wanted to have him, so they shipped him to Colorado.

2015-16:

GP: 82
G: 13
A: 19
P: 32
PIM: 12
+/-: 0

Grigorenko’s stats are extremely hard to predict, because it all depends on how he will respond to the change of scenery. If he makes it to the top six, possibly playing on Duchene’s wing, his stats could really shoot up. If he plays on the third or fourth line, though, we shouldn’t expect too much.

Personally, I expect Grigorenko to start the season on the third line, centering Blake Comeau and Dennis Everberg. That would be a line that has a lot of scoring potential. Grigorenko could also get time on the powerplay, which would allow him to record 30+ points.

Next: Carl Soderberg

Feb 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Soderberg

2014-15:

GP: 82
G: 13
A: 21
P: 44
PIM: 26
+/-: 10

In the 2014-15 season, Carl Soderberg did not miss a single game. A playmaking forward, Soderberg recorded 13 goals and 44 points, mostly centering the Boston Bruins’ third line. Bruins fans say he only functions with fellow Swede Loui Eriksson on his line, but luckily, the Colorado Avalanche has a Swedish upgrade over Eriksson — Gabriel Landeskog.

2015-16:

GP: 82
G: 14
A: 41
P: 55
PIM: 28
+/-: +3

This would really just be the best-case scenario. If Soderberg succeeds on a line with Landeskog and MacKinnon, he can easily get up to 40 assists and 50 points. Someone will have to assist on their goals after all.

However, if things don’t go quite as planned, Soderberg could end up on the Colorado Avalanche’s third line. There, he would likely play with two of Comeau, Everberg, Grigorenko and Mitchell. He would still have offensively talented players around him, but it sure wouldn’t be the same as centering Landeskog and MacKinnon.

Next: Matt Duchene

Nov 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center. The Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Duchene

2014-15:

GP: 82
G: 21
A: 34
P: 55
PIM: 16
+/-: 3

Matt Duchene was supposed to become an elite NHL player, just like fellow 2009 draftees John Tavares and Victor Hedman. Unfortunately, Duchene took a step back, after recording a point per game (70 in 71, for those who want to be exact) in the 2013-14 season. He “only” scored 21 goals, along with 34 assists. Not bad, but also not elite.

2015-16:

GP: 82
G: 27
A: 43
P: 70
PIM: 14
+/-: 5

Bold prediction: Duchene will be back next season. He will get close to 30 goals, while recording 70 points. The time for him to step up is now.

Tavares was one point short of being the 2013-14 NHL top scorer and Hedman stood in the Stanley Cup Final. So Duchene still has a little ways to go. But, 70 points would definitely be a great start to get there.

What are your expectations for the Colorado Avalanche’s centers? Let us know in the comments!

Next: Avs D Stat Predictions Part 1

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Next: Avs C Stat Predictions

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