Colorado Acquires Daniel Winnik for Draft Pick
 

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has acquired forward Daniel Winnik from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Winnik, 25, appeared in 74 games for the Coyotes in 2009-10, tallying 19 points (4g/15a) with a +1 plus/minus rating. He led all Coyotes forwards with 54 blocked shots and was second on the club in takeaways with 30. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound left wing was also among the team leaders in short-handed time on ice, averaging 3:04 per game (third most on the squad). Winnik went on to skate in all seven playoff games for Phoenix.

“Daniel is a young player with size, speed and has the ability to kill penalties,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “He has three years of NHL experience and will fill an important role with our team next season.”

Originally selected by Phoenix in the ninth round (265th overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft, the Toronto native has appeared in 202 career games in the NHL, tallying 52 points (18g/34a). Prior to turning pro, Winnik played three seasons at the University of New Hampshire, where he was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star as a junior in 2005-06.

That's fine by me. I'm not a big fan of Winnik. I thought he took a step backwards last season.

What need does Winnik fill for the Avs?

Thank god worthless sack of crap taking Paul Bissonnette's spot on the 4th line.

If Winnik bumps Hendricks off the Avs' roster, that means that the Avs would have nothing to show for trading Johnny Boychuk (a trade that I never understood anyway).

Don't mind this either. If he fought and consistently finished his checks, he'd be useful with his pk abilities. But 4 goals just isn't cutting it. Hopefully we drop Korpikoski as well and get an actual tough 4th line.