Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
As we approach the calendar turning to September, meaning that training camps are on the horizon, the outlook isn’t great for the Colorado Avalanche. Despite a change at the top in the front office and behind the bench, many are expecting them to be just as bad, if not worse, than they were in 2013 for the upcoming season.
A prime reason for that is a lack of defense and consistency in goal. Despite glaring needs in both of those aspects of their game, the Avalanche did very little to improve. In fact, adding Cory Sarich could be seen as a step backward. If key forwards take a step back off of what they did last season, the Avs could be in even more trouble.
One such player that could take a step back is that of P.A. Parenteau. He was the prize of the free agent market for Colorado in the summer of 2012, and actually ended up being one of the better additions to any club around the league. Not that he made too much of a difference in helping them to avoid missing out on the playoffs.
Parenteau’s numbers during the 2013 season, per game, were actually the best of his career. He finished with 43 points in 48 games, including 18 goals, just two shy of his career mark. Thirteen of his points came with the Avalanche on the man advantage, including six of the goals. His ability to put the puck in the net was tops on the Avs last year.
However, while some may be expecting Parenteau to take a step back, that doesn’t appear to be the case heading into the new season. His point per game numbers will likely take a step back. It’s unreasonable to expect him to maintain that over a full 82-game slate of games.
Parenteau has proven capable of putting in 15-20 goals, and flash some solid playmaking skills, though. He’ll get his points, and will continue to be an offensive presence for this team. But don’t expect him to come back with another season of 0.9 points per game, that likely won’t happen again.
