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Colorado Avalanche: August Free Agents Could Bolster Offense

By Daniel Henderson

Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Steve Downie (23) controls the puck ahead of San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Steve Downie (23) controls the puck ahead of San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Steve Downie

Position: Right Wing                      2015-16 Team(s): Arizona Coyotes        Goals: 3

Age: 29                                               Games Played: 26                                       Assists: 3

I can feel people rolling their eyes at the mere suggestion of Downie, but give me a chance to explain. During his tenure with the Colorado Avalanche, Downie put up a respectable 8 points in 13 games. Admittedly, the sample size is way too small to make definitive conclusions but it’s cause for cautious optimism, especially since he showed chemistry on Duchene’s right.

That being said there are some legitimate concerns with bringing back Downie:

  1. Is he still the same player since his concussion?
  2. Does he really take issue with Landeskog? Or did emotions just boil over at practice one day?
  3. How much truth was there to the rumours about him and Varlamov’s girlfriend?
  4. Penalties. A lot of them.

I would be willing to overlook his tendency for spending time in the penalty box if he made a similar impact to when he first arrived in Denver. That is unfortunately the biggest issue. His production of late is extremely concerning: 6 total points and a demotion to the AHL on a bad Arizona team is by no means encouraging. Furthermore, his possession stats (courtesy of pucklytics.com) have fallen steeply. I’ve graphed them below in comparison to Colorado’s theoretical 3rd line.

His shot suppression (which I’ve reversed on the graph) is still respectable, but he’s a black hole in when it comes to shot generation. On a team that already struggles with possession adding Downie doesn’t seem like a great idea.

Verdict: PTO

In my opinion the concerns outweigh the potential benefits. I would stay away from him if there are other options available, BUT if the Avs strike out he’s probably worth a look on a PTO. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to gauge whether his chemistry with Duchene has survived as the latter will be playing for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey.

Next: Brandon Pirri

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