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Colorado Avalanche: Evaluation and Areas of Improvement for J.T. Compher

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: J.T. Compher #37 of the Colorado Avalanche skates prior to the game against the Nashville Predators in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: J.T. Compher #37 of the Colorado Avalanche skates prior to the game against the Nashville Predators in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Colorado Avalanche forward JT Compher had a good 2017-18 season, but there’s always room for improvement.

Colorado Avalanche center JT Compher was like the captain of the rookies last season. It’s not that he was the oldest rookie — that honor went to Harvard grad Alexander Kerfoot. Compher just displayed a lot of leadership last year.

Points production-wise, J.T. Compher didn’t have the season he wanted. However, he also suffered two injuries that forced him to miss games. The first injury came in October when he broke his right thumb — he was a stud in bouncing back within three weeks. He missed six games with an unspecified upper body injury then an additional game with the flu.

That definitely put a little hitch in his gait.

Nonetheless, Compher seemed to be taking the next step in his development. He scored some clutch goals. And, like I said, he showed tremendous leadership last season.

Evaluation of J.T. Compher’s 2017-18 Season

Goals: 13
Assists: 10
Shots: 131
Shooting percentage: 9.9%
Faceoff percentage: 45.12%
Takeaway vs. giveaway ratio: 16:13
CF%: 48%
CF% Rel: 0.3

I’ve already remarked that JT Compher didn’t have the points production that he probably wanted, so I won’t go too much more into that. However, I will note that he had three game-winning goals last season, and that’s not nothing. It is, in fact, good enough for a six-way tie for second place.

He also recorded two short-handed goals. That puts him in lone possession of the #2 spot behind only Blake Comeau.

Anyway, let’s look at some of the other stats. I like the shots statistic. Compher played 69 games last regular season, so he recorded 1.89 shots per game on average. What’s more, he had a respectable 9.9% shooting accuracy — that’s very good for a rookie.

Just like with all the other Colorado Avalanche players, Compher didn’t have the faceoff win percentage you want to see. It’s said these days that the types of faceoffs you win are more important than the actual win percentage. However, you want to see your centers nearer the 50% mark.

I like the looks of JT Compher’s takeaway to giveaway ratio. He has more takeaways than giveaways. Both numbers are low, which says to me that Compher is responsible with the puck when he has it.

Areas of Improvement for J.T. Compher

More from Mile High Sticking

JT Compher is entering his third NHL season since he played 21 games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2016-17. The 23-year-old is hardly entering veteran status. However, he’s taking quick strides toward his peak.

Compher isn’t expected to become an elite scorer, although his clutch goals suggest he has a good nose for hockey drama. He’s much better known as being a responsible player, a two-way forward who works hard.

And I don’t want to discount his leadership qualities. He may never wear a letter for the Colorado Avalanche, but no question he’ll continue to grow into one of the important voices in the locker room.

What should JT Compher work on? Just honing the finer skills of his game. Maybe he can win a few more faceoffs. Perhaps his shooting can become just a tad more accurate.  As he works on those fine points, I expect to see his CorsiFor% and relative Corsi creep up.

MORE FROM COLORADO AVALANCHE EVALUATION AND ADVICE:

I don’t want to say JT Compher is going to have a breakout season exactly. I think we’re going to see him take a measured stride in the right direction. As long as he keeps scoring those sweet clutch goals for the Colorado Avalanche.

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