Season Stats: 22 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts +10 16 shots
Minutes: 303 total minutes (8th among defensemen), EV 12:23, PP 0:11, PK 1:12
Splits:
1st Half: DNP (AHL)
2nd Half: 22 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts, +10, 16 shots
Linemates: Liles (20 GP), Vaananen (2)
Career: This season was Finger’s first in the NHL
Report: Finger was one of two rookie defensemen to debut for the Avalanche this season, and both he and Kyle Cumiskey showed a lot of promise…His solid, physical play wasn’t a surprise, although his position and skating ability were both better than expected…His hits and blocked shots project over the course of a full season to 97 and 100, which would have him 2nd and 4th respectively on the team…Also one of just three players to get a fighting major when he fought Columbus’ Jason Chimera on February 27th…Was +10, tied for second best on the team…You can attribute some of that to joining the team when just they were improving on defense, but he deserves some credit for that improvement too…Although he now has just 22 NHL games under his belt, I am convinced that he helped improve the defensive play of his more veteran partner, John-Michael Liles…Certainly not afraid to give and receive a hit…Some of his best physical work actually took place in the offensive zone, just inside the blueline…Like too many Av defensemen, doesn’t seem to have much offensive skill…Did not allow a PP goal in 26:43 spent shorthanded
Fast Fact: Was a minus in his first game, with a goal scored against him early in his first game (though not his first shift as some believe). After that start, he went 16 straight games before being a minus player again.
Midseason Grade: N/A
Final Grade: B
2007-2007 Salary: $450,000
2007-2008 Status:
Outlook: Finger was very impressive in his short stint last year with the club. He’s an unrestricted free agent (Type VI) this summer. He’d look great in an Avalanche uniform again next year, but the
For a Rookie, I’d give him an A-. I watched him at his first rookie camp and followed him since the draft and he’s improved way more than I thought he could. I think that says something about his character. I would have loved to see him in the playoffs.
Finger was definitely impressive considering his lack of NHL experience. With Brisebois definitely gone and Vaanaanaanaaanen hopefully on his way out, there will be room for Finger to stay on as an Avalanche D-Man. I hope they keep him.
Finger impressed me considering how fast he had to get used to the speed of the NHL compared to Albany. I would like to see him back next season, putting him with Liles, I think, helped him grow. I would say that as long as maybe Briesbois and Van are gone, then we should deffinatley make a perminate defense man.