Fragen und Antworten » Numbers Game looks at the Steve Downie

The Colorado Avalanche, rolling along with a 10-1 record, traded a winger who had spent the season on their first line, in exchange for a veteran checker. Numbers Game looks at the Steve Downie-Maxime Talbot trade. The Flyers Get: RW Steve Downie. Downie, 26, missed nearly all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in the second game of the season, but hes proven to be healthy this year, playing 16:43 per game through the first 11 games of the season, contributing one goal, seven points and a plus-4 rating for the Avalanche. While those numbers look like a positive start to the season for Downie, digging deeper can reveal some reason to have more modest expectations. For one thing, while Downie has fine possession stats, it wouldnt be right to ignore the contributions of Matt Duchene, especially since Duchene drives play more consistently and has been one of the leagues top players early in the season. Downie does offer a rare blend of talent and ability to wreak havoc on the ice. From 2009-2010 through 2011-2012, there were three players to score 40 goals and register at least 400 penalty minutes: Downie, Steve Ott and Scott Hartnell, who is going to be Downies teammate in Philadelphia. Returning to Philadelphia, where Downie played 38 games before he was traded early in the 2008 season, certainly puts Downie in a top-nine role, but theres going to be competition for playing time among the other Flyers wingers. Based on Philadelphias line combinations last game, it would be easy enough to slot Downie in for rookie Michael Raffl, alongside Claude Giroux and Vincent Lecavalier on the top line, but Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and Matt Read are among those competing for ice time on the wings and its easy enough to see how Downie could still end up playing in a third-line role for the Flyers. If he does end up playing with Giroux and Lecavalier, that is a good opportunity for Downie to put up points, maybe even challenge his career-high 46 points that he had with Tampa Bay in 2009-2010. Downie, who comes with a cap hit of $2.65-million, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Given the Flyers depth up front, they dont have to make a commitment to anything long-term but, given the Flyers history when it comes to handing out contracts, who would be surprised to see Downie land a multi-year extension? The Avalanche Get: LW Max Talbot. Talbot is a 29-year-old who has surprisingly strong puck possession numbers, even though he played a decidedly defensive role -- C Sean Couturier was the only non-fourth-liner with a higher percentage of defensive zone starts for the Flyers this season. Talbot scored a career-high 19 goals and 34 points for Philadelphia in 2011-2012, but dropped to 10 points in 35 games last season and has two points in 11 games this year. Hes not a gifted offensive player but, with the Avalanche, he doesnt have to be. Talbot can slide into a third-line role and be the defensive conscience on the wing with rookie centre Nathan MacKinnon. Part of Talbots appeal, in addition to championship experience gained in Pittsburghs 2009 Stanley Cup win, is that he has versatility and can play centre as well as either wing. The immediate beneficiary in the Colorado lineup is PA Parenteau, who had already moved up to skate on right wing with Duchene and Ryan OReilly in practice this week. Parenteau and Duchene played together for the most part last season, so there is a familiarity there and Parenteau upgrades the skill level of the trio. Talbot is under contract for two more years, after the current season, at a cap hit of $1.75-million, though his actual salary over the final two years totals $2.25-million, so he comes at something of a bargain relative to his cap hit. In total, Downie is likely to make more of an impact than Talbot, but theres no guarantee where that contribution will be happening beyond this season, so there is some asset management at work here for the Avalanche. While the Flyers might be confident that Downie will be part of their future, its possible that the Avalanche werent so assured. If thats the case, securing the services of a reliable veteran, who has 39 points in 77 career playoff games, who is under contract for a few more seasons may provide long-term value that helps mitigate the potential loss incurred by trading away a younger, more skilled player. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Nike Free Sale Uk .Murray has played 20 matches in five weeks, winning three titles to climb to fifth in the ATP Race.The two-time Grand Slam champion also seeks to qualify for next months ATP World Tour Finals.Murray said: I always wanted to qualify for it, but also I want to get back into the top 8 players in the world and it makes a huge difference for seedings in the major events. Nike Free Shoes Uk . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. http://www.wholesalenikefreeuk.com/. Her return engagement begins tonight as TSN presents Day 1 coverage of the 2015 event from Melbourne. Watch Eugenie Bouchards opening round match at the Australian Open live tonight on TSN5 at 3am et/Midnight pt. Nike Free Clearance Uk . Siddikur, who led on all four days and took a four-stroke lead going into the final day, bogeyed four out of six holes starting at the sixth and continued a forgettable last round in which he returned a three-over 75 to finish with a 14-under 274. Nike Free Running Shoes Uk . -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games.Toby Alderweireld insists Tottenham can bridge the gap to leaders Leicester City and claim a first league title since 1961. Second-placed Spurs are five points behind Leicester with seven games to go ahead of this weekends trip to Liverpool, live on Saturday Night Football, with Leicester hosting Southampton on Super Sunday.And Alderweireld, who is with Belgium this week for their friendly against Portugal, is already thinking of the clash with Jurgen Klopps side. We are confident in our team, if we keep working hard and at the same level we have been we can beat any team, he told Sky Sports News HQ. Thats not arrogance, its confidence and thats the way we have to play. We just have to focus game by game. Its a cliche but its the way we have to play. We have seven finals left so lets start at Liverpool. Toby Alderweireld and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris have formed part of the meanest defence in the league The centre-back has been integral to Spurs impressive campaign, which has seen them score the most and concede the least number of goals in the league, but he refused to be drawn on those who say he is the best defender in England.ddddddddddddIm enjoying this season. Its wonderful at Spurs and Im really happy, so Im just trying to keep my level until the end of the season, he added.Its their right to say it but I dont feel that way. Im just trying to help the team and do my best. I dont like to talk about myself, other people are paid to do that. I try to do my best on the pitch and thats it. Also See: Spurs video Spurs fixtures Spurs stats Get free ￡10 bet ' ' '