This post happens to be the 600th here at ITCS. I briefly tossed around the idea of doing something special for the milestone but, instead, I’m writing to defend…I’m not sure I can even type this…Tyler Arnason.
There, I did it.
(Photo courtesy Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
You can’t get very far on this whole interweb thing without finding someone who is critical of Arnason’s play. In fact, you could probably just search this site (I’m too lazy to do so) and find enough anti-Arnason rhetoric to last for days. And now that TJ Hensick is making a strong case for a spot on the roster (and, presumably, the 3rd line), the shouting is getting stronger. Just trade Arnason and a 2nd-round pick for <insert name of good player here>. If that doesn’t work, just give him away.
I’m not in agreement.
Tyler Arnason is not, nor will he ever be, a consistently good player. He disappears from games, isn’t good at draws, doesn’t play defense, and throws his body around with the reckless abandon of an old lady with severe osteoporosis. Oh, and while most of us would sleep with Joan Rivers for a chance to play professional hockey, he often has a look on his face that ranges from bemused indifference to “I’m scheduled for a colonoscopy after the game”.
But, while he’s not a great player, he is a talented player. And I tend to be really hesitant about letting a talented player walk, especially on a team that is so heavy in the, uh, heavy department. Arnason has had some good stretches (I’ll skip the broken record bit about how key he was in the Minnesota series). I’ve said this before, but I think one of the biggest problems is that he has yet to be a healthy scratch with the Avs. The threat of watching the game from the pressbox may not work for everyone, but is there any reason Joel Quenneville didn’t want to try? I may be a little like Charlie Brown trying to kick a field goal here, but I do believe with the right coaching and motivation, Arnason’s game could really come around. Perhaps the decision to designate Arnason an assistant captain in a preseason game last week is an indication that Tony Granato is already working the puppet strings.
And if it doesn’t work? I think there’s still enough flashes to use him on the 3rd line - perhaps with a linemate whose first name isn’t “Cody”. TJ Hensick is going to get his chance, and that time will be sooner, rather than later. In the meantime, I’d like to give the Unsimiling One another chance.
it’s a contract year too. for players that seem to lack motivation, often contract years seem to bring out their best.
if arny returned to his 50 point performance level from 2 years ago, I’m perfectly fine with him playing on the team. I just don’t think he’s got it in him. teams have been trying to get him to play to even half his potential his whole career…one by one they give up. I fear we’re going to hang on too long while holding back Hensick.
Sorry, Drafty, but you’re not invited to any more of our Avs blogger circle jerks. Try not to start crying until after I leave.
I got to tell you, Arny is just plain hard to like. There’s no other way to say it. If he’s not scoring how else can he contribute? He’s a second line winger, but at the same time he’s almost not good enough for that. I understand giving up skill is hard to do but the skill positions are already deep in the top six. Sakic, Stastny, Smyth, Svatos, Hejduk, Wolski and now Hensick and Jones provide lots of skilled depth. Toss in Tucker who when he doesn’t score (and his scoring ability is historically stronger than Arny’s) can provide other things on the ice. That leaves you Arny as a 3rd line guy who doesn’t have 3rd line skills like faceoffs, engergy, checking, fighting, agitating or heralded defense. Arny’s defense actually isn’t that bad, it’s just not as great as a 3rd line centers should be.
With all those things said I think the fear of losing Arny is missplaced because there’s enough skill to make him expendable. Now, I think I know where you’re coming from. There are times when Arny can dance between two guys and look like a world beater. That’s hard talent to see go. But, when I look at his goals it seems to me that few of them are game changing. He’s like the Alex Rodriguez of the Avalanche. He’s hitting 3 run homers with a four run lead, not when it’s tied in the 9th.
In other words, he’s the antithesis of Chris Drury in almost every way.
hmmm, I’m against your “Don’t trade Arnason” policy…
… but I am for your “keep him on the team as a healthy scratch” policy.
now I know what McCain is going through…
I wasn’t an Arnason fan when he joined the team and to me he hasn’t done anything to change my view. Any talent he has is pretty much moot if he doesn’t use it on most nights. So what does he bring? Defense? No. Faceoffs? No. Penalty killing? No. Physical play? No. Scoring? Only in occasional spurts. If a forward isn’t scoring then he better be doing something else on the ice and I just rarely see that with Arnason.
Chicago gave up on him. Ottawa gave up on him. He’s done little to prove his long term impact in Colorado. There are other players that probably deserve a shot instead of the Avs still giving Arnason yet another chance.
DD, welcome to the Arnason fan club. Population: You.
LOL, Bob!
I’d prefer Hensick or Jones get his spot just due to the inconsistency. Or Mike Knuble. That would work too…
I was never a fan of Arny and like most I don’t think he has given me any reason to change that. I have seen players get benched for better play and hustle than he has shown, yet for what ever reason the coaching staff had seen fit to keep him on the ice. It just seem like it’s time to let a younger guy take the spot and make Arnason earn it back or part ways.
I just noticed this, but is that your hand on his shoulder in that picture?
Can you prove that it ISN’T??
it’s Lappy, actually. I wonder if some of his heart rubbed off on Arnie…
[...] longer odds, but also notched an assist (while putting up 4 shots). And obviously Tyler Arnason loves to check out hockey blogs, as he was an impressive 7 of 8 in the faceoff circle (we won 4 of 5 against Mike Ribeiro - the [...]