Colorado Avalanche: Patrick Wiercioch Might be a Steal

New Colorado Avalanche defenseman Patrick Wiercioch is the poster child for the analytics vs. eye test debate — and he may just be a steal for the team.

When the Colorado Avalanche first signed defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, my first response was, “Well, Joe Sakic said the Avs weren’t going to be big buyers on free agency day.” (My second response was “How do you say that guy’s name?”)

Since then, I did a little research on the player. Wiercicoch can produce offensive numbers, and he’s mobile. However, he can be inconsistent.

He’s also got really good size — 6-foot-5, 202 pounds — which makes him a natural for the Colorado Avalanche. Indeed, I presumed that’s why Colorado wanted him — they do…