Fear of Heights

Post-season goal scoring leader Tyler Johnson (5'9") leaps like a child into the arms of a lower scoring, taller teammate - Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsBefore we get started, and as a general reference: according to a post by @Mirtle (http://mirtle.blogspot.ca/2014/10/2014-15-nhl-teams-by-height-weight-and.html) the Avalanche opened the ’14-’15 season with the ~12th tallest roster in the NHL. This puts them behind Ottawa (tallest NHL roster), and Phoenix (2nd tallest), but ahead of teams St Louis (21st tallest), New York Rangers (29th), and Minnesota (26th).

Now, in many hockey circles there is a lot of emphasis on player height and size – with the advantage given almost exclusively to…