Search the Community

We near the end of the series with an under-the-radar acquisition #88 Jamie McGinn W (one season left at $2.95 million per, age 27) Colorado Avalanche 19/4/2/6/-9/6 It took Jamie McGinn a three-year AHL apprenticeship to stick as an NHL regular after being drafted high in the second round by the San Jose Sharks. But following a trade to Colorado, he proved his worth, averaging close to 20 goals per 80 games played in Denver. Add those 20 goals to good speed and size, a defensive conscience, a puck-hound mentality and the ability to play either side and you get what most would describe as the ideal third-line winger. That comes with a caveat however: a degenerative genetic back condition that caused him to miss most of last season. Coming over as the throw-in of the O’Reilly deal, McGinn hasn’t received a lot of consideration from Sabre fans. While his upside has already been seen, people tend to forget that at this stage of development he’s probably a better NHLer than anyone who went the other way. He will have a role. What still needs to be determined is exactly what that role will be. Links to the rest of the series: