Trey Fix-Wolansky
Stat | NHL | AHL |
|---|---|---|
Games Played | 26 | 289 |
Goals | 4 | 112 |
Assists | 2 | 147 |
Points | 6 | 259 |
Background
Trey Fix-Wolansky has quite an impressive resume, dating back to his time in the WHL. The Edmonton, Alberta native played for his hometown Oil Kings and, in just three seasons (222 games), he compiled 99 goals, 160 assists, and 259 points. Apart from three players who spent five seasons with the Oil Kings, Fix-Wolansky stands alone as the franchise's all-time leader in those three offensive categories. He served as the team's captain for the 2018-19 season and would be named the WHL's Eastern Conference Player of the Year that same season.
Fix-Wolansky, far and away, has sole possession of the all-time goals, assists, and points records for the AHL's Cleveland Monsters. He also is ninth all-time in penalty minutes, as he plays a gritty game and isn't afraid to fight — an apt metaphor for someone of his stature who has faced adversity at all levels as a pro. At the NHL level, Fix-Wolansky has performed well for someone with very limited ice time and irregular slots in the lineup, and he certainly must be frustrated that he has dominated in both juniors and the minors but has yet to receive a committed look for a big league squad.
Upside
There's value in a player who has persevered against criticism and who has found ways to succeed against the odds. Fix-Wolansky has thrived as an underdog; because of his height — 5'7" — he went undrafted in the WHL, wasn't invited to play for the Canadian World Junior team (despite his laudable WHL statistics), wasn't selected in his first year of NHL Entry Draft eligibility, and — when finally selected — went in the seventh round in 2018 as the 204th overall pick (at the time, there were only 217 picks total).
Fix-Wolansky possess excellent skating ability, solid edgework, and a sturdy, low center of gravity. He has a strong release and can find open space where others can't. And, perhaps most notably, he isn't afraid to put himself in harm's way and will drop the gloves when the need arises.
Risks
In early April 2023, Fix-Wolansky was demoted to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL because he reportedly "overslept... and missed a Blue Jackets' team meeting." While these things do happen, it's not a particularly flattering sign for a player already struggling to find consistent time at the NHL level.
One of the biggest concerns for Fix-Wolansky is his stature: he is currently one of the smallest players under contract with an NHL team. The average height of an NHL player is nearly 6'2" — that disparity is a factor, given the inherent danger involved in a fast-paced, high-contact sport. While hockey has certainly seen a shift toward an emphasis on finesse, agility, and playmaking prowess, the intrinsic physicality the sport — and the associated disadvantages of being shorter than most of the rest of the league — is undeniable.
The last area of concern for Fix-Wolansky is his history of lower-body injuries. While playing for the Cleveland Monsters in the 2019-20 season, he injured his groin and missed two months of play. The following season, he injured his leg and missed six months after it required surgery. Thankfully, he's been healthier in recent years, but in a league full of heavy-hitting players, there's a not-insignificant risk for a player of his stature.
Role
As a right-winger, he represents a different option than Kole Lind as a Kiviranta replacement in Colorado. Where Lind is lanky, sturdy but not speedy, and in need of some fine-tuning defensively, Fix-Wolansky is short, fast, and has strong defensive awareness and positioning.
The Avs have lost a lot of their grit players in recent years: Andrew Cogliano now works in the Avs' front office, Nikita Zadorov plays for the Boston Bruins, Kurtis MacDermid plays for the New Jersey Devils, Nazem Kadri plays for the Calgary Flames, and Matt Calvert retired. Having the option to insert a scrappy, skilled forward into the lineup would be a luxury for the Colorado Avalanche.
Cost
One of the main reasons why Fix-Wolansky holds so many of the Cleveland Monsters' offensive stat records is because he has largely gone unconsidered in the NHL, which is bound to be yet another motivator for the chippy winger. Accordingly, he's not likely to command much more than league-minimum and will be looking for a two or a three-year deal on a team willing to dress him on a regular basis.